NO SIR EEE
The Sultan Of Swat
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Mississippi State Bulldogs (24-17) Overall (6-12) SEC
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Tennessee Volunteers (27-14) Overall (8-10) SEC
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Looking to keep its momentum rolling, the eighth-ranked Tennessee Volunteers welcome Mississippi State to Lindsey Nelson Stadium for a three-game series beginning Thursday night at 7 p.m. ET.
Tennessee (27-14, 8-10 SEC) has been absolutely on fire at the plate in the last four games, outscoring its opponents 50-10 with a .327 batting average and a 1.149 on-base plus slugging mark. Among the many contributors leading the charge, Zane Denton and Griffin Merritt have stood out in a big way. Denton is 5-for-12 in the last four games while Merritt has posted three extra-base hits, two being home runs, and has a 1.000 slugging percentage in that span.
The pitching has not been to shabby either as the Vols' staff has held opposing hitters to a .194 batting average and has punched out 45 men in 37 innings of work.
Mississippi State (24-17, 6-12 SEC) brings a unique individual with them in the form of Saturday's projected starter, Jurrangelo Cijntje. Cijntje, just a freshman, uniquely pitches ambidextrously, throwing both left-handed and right-handed depending on the hitter he is facing. When taking on left-handed batters, he pitches from the left side and when facing right-handed batters, he pitches with his right arm.
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
For the most updated gameday information related to Tennessee baseball, please visit our Gameday Central page by clicking HERE. The baseball Gameday Central page contains info in regard to tickets, parking, stadium policies and more.
TICKET INFORMATION
Season and single-game tickets for all remaining SEC contests are SOLD OUT. Limited standing room only tickets will go on sale for all games two hours prior to first pitch at the Lindsey Nelson Stadium ticket office.
Single-game resale tickets for all games can also be purchased through Ticketmaster, the exclusive resale marketplace for Tennessee Athletics, by clicking HERE.
In order to keep Lindsey Nelson Stadium as full as possible, we are encouraging season ticket holders who are unable to use their tickets for a game(s) to transfer your tickets to someone else (Instructions HERE).
BROADCAST INFO
The games on Thursday and Saturday will be televised with Dave Neal (PxP) and Todd Walker (Analyst) calling the action. Thursday's game will be broadcast on SEC Network, while Saturday's game airs on ESPNU.
Friday's game, with a 6:30 p.m. ET start time, will be streamed on SEC Network+ with Bob Kesling (PxP) and VFL Cody Hawn (Analyst) on the call. The game can be watched here.
The broadcasts can also be accessed on any mobile device through WatchESPN. WatchESPN can be accessed through the ESPN App, or online at espn.com/watch.
Fans can also listen to the Voice of Tennessee Baseball, John Wilkerson, and Vince Ferrara call the action on the Vol Network (FM 99.1/AM 990) or via a free audio stream on UTSports.com and the Tennessee Athletics Gameday App.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE/PROJECTED STARTING PITCHERS
Game 1 – Thursday, April 27 (7 p.m. ET) [SEC Network]
RHP Andrew Lindsey (0-2, 2.81 ERA) vs. RHP Cade Smith (1-1, 4.91 ERA)
Game 2 – Friday, April 28 (6:30 p.m. ET)
RHP Chase Dollander (5-4, 3.81 ERA) vs. TBA
Game 3 – Saturday, April 29 (2 p.m. ET) [ESPNU]
RHP Drew Beam (5-2, 3.40 ERA) vs. BHP Jurrangelo Cijntje (3-2, 5.58 ERA)
SERIES HISTORY
Overall: Mississippi State leads, 60-34
In Knoxville: Mississippi State leads, 20-16
In Starkville: Mississippi State leads, 37-15
at Neutral Sites: series tied, 3-3
Last 10 Meetings: series tied, 5-5
Last Meeting: W, 10-5 (May 21, 2022, in Starkville)
The Vols exploded in their series against Mississippi State last year. Tennessee faced the Bulldogs in the final series before the SEC Tournament and outscored them 41-10 in a three-game sweep at Dudy Noble Field. In the first game of the series, Tennessee bested Mississippi State, 27-2, the largest margin of victory in an SEC game in program history and the most runs given up by Mississippi State in a single game since 1966.
NOTABLE
CLUTCH HITTING ON FULL DISPLAY
In its last three games, UT has scored 27 of its 46 runs with two outs and gone 20-for-44 with runners in scoring position. In their five games before that, the Vols were just 4-for-34 with runners in scoring position.
DADDY HAT & HOME RUN COAT ARE BACK
Tennessee decided to bring back the famous Daddy Hat and Home Run Coat for this past weekend's series vs. Vanderbilt and proceeded to blast nine home runs in the series sweep of the Commodores.
The Big Orange blasted six more homers in Tuesday's midweek thumping of Bellarmine and enter this weekend's series against Mississippi State ranked tied for fourth nationally and third in the SEC with 84 home runs, averaging over two long balls per game (2.05).
So far this season, 17 different players have gone deep for the Big Orange. Fourteen of those 15 players have hit multiple homers, led by Blake Burke (14), Griffin Merritt (12) and Zane Denton (9).
UT has homered in 30 of its last 34 games and has gone deep multiple times on 25 occasions this season. The Big Orange posted their 14th game with three or more homers on Tuesday against Bellarmine, leaving the yard six times, one short of tying the single-game program record for the fifth time under Vitello.
BURNS FLOURISHING IN RELIEF ROLE
After struggling in his first four starts of SEC play, Chase Burns has thrived over the last two weekend's in a relief role.
Burns was named the SEC Co-Pitcher of the Week on Monday after two dominant relief appearances in Tennessee's series sweep over No. 2 Vanderbilt. The sophomore right hander picked up the win in Friday night's series opener and pitched a 1-2-3 inning to finish off the sweep in Sunday's series finale. In total, Burns retired 11 of the 12 batters he faced over his two scoreless outings, striking out eight batters in that span.
Two weekends ago at No. 5 Arkansas, Burns tossed 5.1 strong innings of relief in Sunday's series finale. The talented right hander allowed just one run on three hits while striking out five against the Razorbacks in his first relief appearance this season.
Burns ranks seventh nationally and third in the SEC with 82 strikeouts this year and is third in the country in strikeouts per nine innings (14.6)
SUCH IS LIFE IN THE SEC
Tennessee completed its grueling stretch of five straight weekend series against top-15 teams with last weekend's sweep of No. 2 Vanderbilt. The Vols played four consecutive series against top-five foes and faced No. 2 Vandy, No. 5 Arkansas, No. 2 Florida, No. 1 LSU and No. 12 Texas A&M in each of their past five weekend series.
The Big Orange is 8-7 overall against ranked teams so far this season after sweeping the Commodores last weekend in Knoxville. UT is 57-50 overall against ranked teams under head coach Tony Vitello.
Since Vitello became UT's head coach in 2018, the Vols have posted 57 wins over ranked foes, including 26 victories over teams ranked in the top 10 and seven wins over top-ranked teams - LSU in 2023, Ole Miss (x3) in 2022, Arkansas in 2021, Texas Tech in 2020 and Florida in 2018.
SEC SWEEPS
Tennessee is coming off its fifth weekend series sweep of the season (second in SEC play) after taking all three games from in-state rival Vanderbilt last weekend at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
In just the four-plus seasons under head coach Tony Vitello that have featured SEC games (no SEC games in 2020 due to COVID-19), Tennessee has recorded 12 series sweeps in league play.
Prior to Vitello taking over as head coach in 2018, the Vols recorded just 12 series sweeps in conference play from 2003-2017, a span of 15 seasons.
OPPONENT SCOUT
Mississippi State Bulldogs
Gameday promotions for all Tennessee athletics home events can be found on the UT Fan Experience page by clicking HERE.
Fans are encouraged to download the My All App for their phones and devices this season. The app is available on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store and will allow fans to participate in in-game trivia, the custom filter selfie cam and more throughout the year.
FRIDAY SEC BLOCK PARTIES
This week's block party will take place on Friday night, prior to Game 2 of the series. Gates will open at 4:30 p.m. for ticketed fans on Pat Head Summitt Street (weather permitting). The area will only be accessible for fans with tickets to Friday's game.
Friday's SEC Block Parties will feature music, giveaways, face painting, food/beverage options, VolShop sales locations and Vol Network sponsor activations. Additionally, VFL Sterl the Pearl will join to add to the electricity in Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
Food, drink, and anything else acquired at the block party can be brought inside the stadium. Gates 10A and 11 will be open for fans to use to enter the stadium. Fans may come and go from stadium to the block party as they please.
ON DECK
Tennessee concludes its homestand as it welcomes a strong Wofford team to Rocky Top for a big Tuesday night battle at 6:30 p.m. ET at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. The game will be broadcast on SEC Network+.
@
Tennessee Volunteers (27-14) Overall (8-10) SEC
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Looking to keep its momentum rolling, the eighth-ranked Tennessee Volunteers welcome Mississippi State to Lindsey Nelson Stadium for a three-game series beginning Thursday night at 7 p.m. ET.
Tennessee (27-14, 8-10 SEC) has been absolutely on fire at the plate in the last four games, outscoring its opponents 50-10 with a .327 batting average and a 1.149 on-base plus slugging mark. Among the many contributors leading the charge, Zane Denton and Griffin Merritt have stood out in a big way. Denton is 5-for-12 in the last four games while Merritt has posted three extra-base hits, two being home runs, and has a 1.000 slugging percentage in that span.
The pitching has not been to shabby either as the Vols' staff has held opposing hitters to a .194 batting average and has punched out 45 men in 37 innings of work.
Mississippi State (24-17, 6-12 SEC) brings a unique individual with them in the form of Saturday's projected starter, Jurrangelo Cijntje. Cijntje, just a freshman, uniquely pitches ambidextrously, throwing both left-handed and right-handed depending on the hitter he is facing. When taking on left-handed batters, he pitches from the left side and when facing right-handed batters, he pitches with his right arm.
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
For the most updated gameday information related to Tennessee baseball, please visit our Gameday Central page by clicking HERE. The baseball Gameday Central page contains info in regard to tickets, parking, stadium policies and more.
TICKET INFORMATION
Season and single-game tickets for all remaining SEC contests are SOLD OUT. Limited standing room only tickets will go on sale for all games two hours prior to first pitch at the Lindsey Nelson Stadium ticket office.
Single-game resale tickets for all games can also be purchased through Ticketmaster, the exclusive resale marketplace for Tennessee Athletics, by clicking HERE.
In order to keep Lindsey Nelson Stadium as full as possible, we are encouraging season ticket holders who are unable to use their tickets for a game(s) to transfer your tickets to someone else (Instructions HERE).
BROADCAST INFO
The games on Thursday and Saturday will be televised with Dave Neal (PxP) and Todd Walker (Analyst) calling the action. Thursday's game will be broadcast on SEC Network, while Saturday's game airs on ESPNU.
Friday's game, with a 6:30 p.m. ET start time, will be streamed on SEC Network+ with Bob Kesling (PxP) and VFL Cody Hawn (Analyst) on the call. The game can be watched here.
The broadcasts can also be accessed on any mobile device through WatchESPN. WatchESPN can be accessed through the ESPN App, or online at espn.com/watch.
Fans can also listen to the Voice of Tennessee Baseball, John Wilkerson, and Vince Ferrara call the action on the Vol Network (FM 99.1/AM 990) or via a free audio stream on UTSports.com and the Tennessee Athletics Gameday App.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE/PROJECTED STARTING PITCHERS
Game 1 – Thursday, April 27 (7 p.m. ET) [SEC Network]
RHP Andrew Lindsey (0-2, 2.81 ERA) vs. RHP Cade Smith (1-1, 4.91 ERA)
Game 2 – Friday, April 28 (6:30 p.m. ET)
RHP Chase Dollander (5-4, 3.81 ERA) vs. TBA
Game 3 – Saturday, April 29 (2 p.m. ET) [ESPNU]
RHP Drew Beam (5-2, 3.40 ERA) vs. BHP Jurrangelo Cijntje (3-2, 5.58 ERA)
SERIES HISTORY
Overall: Mississippi State leads, 60-34
In Knoxville: Mississippi State leads, 20-16
In Starkville: Mississippi State leads, 37-15
at Neutral Sites: series tied, 3-3
Last 10 Meetings: series tied, 5-5
Last Meeting: W, 10-5 (May 21, 2022, in Starkville)
The Vols exploded in their series against Mississippi State last year. Tennessee faced the Bulldogs in the final series before the SEC Tournament and outscored them 41-10 in a three-game sweep at Dudy Noble Field. In the first game of the series, Tennessee bested Mississippi State, 27-2, the largest margin of victory in an SEC game in program history and the most runs given up by Mississippi State in a single game since 1966.
NOTABLE
CLUTCH HITTING ON FULL DISPLAY
In its last three games, UT has scored 27 of its 46 runs with two outs and gone 20-for-44 with runners in scoring position. In their five games before that, the Vols were just 4-for-34 with runners in scoring position.
DADDY HAT & HOME RUN COAT ARE BACK
Tennessee decided to bring back the famous Daddy Hat and Home Run Coat for this past weekend's series vs. Vanderbilt and proceeded to blast nine home runs in the series sweep of the Commodores.
The Big Orange blasted six more homers in Tuesday's midweek thumping of Bellarmine and enter this weekend's series against Mississippi State ranked tied for fourth nationally and third in the SEC with 84 home runs, averaging over two long balls per game (2.05).
So far this season, 17 different players have gone deep for the Big Orange. Fourteen of those 15 players have hit multiple homers, led by Blake Burke (14), Griffin Merritt (12) and Zane Denton (9).
UT has homered in 30 of its last 34 games and has gone deep multiple times on 25 occasions this season. The Big Orange posted their 14th game with three or more homers on Tuesday against Bellarmine, leaving the yard six times, one short of tying the single-game program record for the fifth time under Vitello.
BURNS FLOURISHING IN RELIEF ROLE
After struggling in his first four starts of SEC play, Chase Burns has thrived over the last two weekend's in a relief role.
Burns was named the SEC Co-Pitcher of the Week on Monday after two dominant relief appearances in Tennessee's series sweep over No. 2 Vanderbilt. The sophomore right hander picked up the win in Friday night's series opener and pitched a 1-2-3 inning to finish off the sweep in Sunday's series finale. In total, Burns retired 11 of the 12 batters he faced over his two scoreless outings, striking out eight batters in that span.
Two weekends ago at No. 5 Arkansas, Burns tossed 5.1 strong innings of relief in Sunday's series finale. The talented right hander allowed just one run on three hits while striking out five against the Razorbacks in his first relief appearance this season.
Burns ranks seventh nationally and third in the SEC with 82 strikeouts this year and is third in the country in strikeouts per nine innings (14.6)
SUCH IS LIFE IN THE SEC
Tennessee completed its grueling stretch of five straight weekend series against top-15 teams with last weekend's sweep of No. 2 Vanderbilt. The Vols played four consecutive series against top-five foes and faced No. 2 Vandy, No. 5 Arkansas, No. 2 Florida, No. 1 LSU and No. 12 Texas A&M in each of their past five weekend series.
The Big Orange is 8-7 overall against ranked teams so far this season after sweeping the Commodores last weekend in Knoxville. UT is 57-50 overall against ranked teams under head coach Tony Vitello.
Since Vitello became UT's head coach in 2018, the Vols have posted 57 wins over ranked foes, including 26 victories over teams ranked in the top 10 and seven wins over top-ranked teams - LSU in 2023, Ole Miss (x3) in 2022, Arkansas in 2021, Texas Tech in 2020 and Florida in 2018.
SEC SWEEPS
Tennessee is coming off its fifth weekend series sweep of the season (second in SEC play) after taking all three games from in-state rival Vanderbilt last weekend at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
In just the four-plus seasons under head coach Tony Vitello that have featured SEC games (no SEC games in 2020 due to COVID-19), Tennessee has recorded 12 series sweeps in league play.
Prior to Vitello taking over as head coach in 2018, the Vols recorded just 12 series sweeps in conference play from 2003-2017, a span of 15 seasons.
OPPONENT SCOUT
Mississippi State Bulldogs
- 2023 Record: 24-17 (6-12 SEC)
- 2022 Record: 26-30 (9-21 SEC)
- 2022 Postseason: none
- 2023 SEC Preseason Poll: 7th in Western Division
- 2023 Preseason All-SEC Team
- Second Team: Luke Hancock (C), Colton Ledbetter (OF)
- Head Coach: Chris Lemonis (5th season at MSU, 9th overall)
- Stat Leaders:
- Average: Colton Ledbetter (.324)
- OBP: Amani Larry (.473)
- SLG: Hunter Hines (.725)
- OPS: Hunter Hines (1.105)
- Hits: Hunter Hines (51)
- Runs: Amani Larry (49)
- RBIs: Hunter Hines (51)
- Doubles: Luke Hancock, Amani Larry (12)
- Triples: Colton Ledbetter, Kellum Clark (1)
- Home Runs: Hunter Hines (9)
- Stolen Bases: Amani Larry (16)
- ERA: Nate Dohm (3.86)
- BAA: Jurrangelo Cijntje (.215)
- WHIP: Nate Dohm (1.18)
- Innings Pitched: Landon Gartman (43.1)
- Strikeouts: Jurrangelo Cijntje (54)
- Wins: Nate Dohm (5)
- Saves: Nate Dohm, Aaron Nixon, KC Hunt (2)
Gameday promotions for all Tennessee athletics home events can be found on the UT Fan Experience page by clicking HERE.
Fans are encouraged to download the My All App for their phones and devices this season. The app is available on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store and will allow fans to participate in in-game trivia, the custom filter selfie cam and more throughout the year.
FRIDAY SEC BLOCK PARTIES
This week's block party will take place on Friday night, prior to Game 2 of the series. Gates will open at 4:30 p.m. for ticketed fans on Pat Head Summitt Street (weather permitting). The area will only be accessible for fans with tickets to Friday's game.
Friday's SEC Block Parties will feature music, giveaways, face painting, food/beverage options, VolShop sales locations and Vol Network sponsor activations. Additionally, VFL Sterl the Pearl will join to add to the electricity in Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
Food, drink, and anything else acquired at the block party can be brought inside the stadium. Gates 10A and 11 will be open for fans to use to enter the stadium. Fans may come and go from stadium to the block party as they please.
ON DECK
Tennessee concludes its homestand as it welcomes a strong Wofford team to Rocky Top for a big Tuesday night battle at 6:30 p.m. ET at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. The game will be broadcast on SEC Network+.
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