The Official Tennessee vs LSU College World Series Game 1 Thread (Sat. June 17 7PM EST) ESPN

Status
Not open for further replies.
#554
#554
patrick said:
Going to be a great day for the Vols.

Let’s hit the ball early and often.

Generate several runs.

Starting pitchers needs to on to start the game.
Click to expand...

I understand routine and the ”one pitch at a time” mentality, but I wish Beam was pitching tonight. He had the best Super Regional and his stuff right now is darn near untouchable.

I have full confidence in A. Lindsay, but I think game 1 in this format is so important, why not throw the pitcher who is in the best form? I don’t think rest would be the issue, but maybe I’m wrong.
 
  • Like
Reactions: counterdevotee and Volfan574
#555
#555
NO SIR EEE said:
Tennessee Volunteers (0-0) CWS
View attachment 556605
VS
LSU Tigers (0-0) CWS

View attachment 556606
OMAHA, Neb. – Ready for the Greatest Show on Dirt, the Tennessee baseball team begins the 2023 Men's College World Series on Saturday night at Charles Schwab Field, taking on familiar foe in No. 5 national seed LSU at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.

The Vols (43-20) have had a long road to get to Omaha, grinding through the NCAA Clemson Regional before taking the final two games of the NCAA Hattiesburg Super Regional at Southern Miss. Tennessee has been propelled by its ability to battle through games and do what it must to win.

The Vols are making their sixth trip to Omaha in program history and second in the last three seasons. Tennessee will look to reverse its fortunes at the final stage of the NCAA Tournament as the Vols are looking for their first win at the CWS since 2001.

PROJECTED STARTING PITCHERS
Saturday, June 17 (7 p.m. ET) [ESPN]
RHP Andrew Lindsey (3-3, 2.79 ERA) vs. RHP Paul Skenes (12-2, 1.77 ERA)

BROADCAST INFO
TV/Stream: ESPN

Talent: Mike Monaco (PxP), Kyle Peterson (Analyst), Chris Burke (Analyst), Kris Budden (Field Reporter)

Radio: Vol Network (FM 99.1 / AM 990) | Tennessee Athletics App | UTSports.com

Talent: John Wilkerson

National Radio: Westwood One (SiriusXM Ch. 84 & SiriusXM App)

NCAA COLLEGE WORLD SERIES HISTORY
Appearances: 6 (Most Recent: 2021)

College World Series Record: 8-10 (.444)

College World Series Appearances: 5 (1951, 1995, 2001, 2005, 2021, 2023)

The Vols have made it back to the College World Series for the second time in the last three years, the shortest time between appearances in program history. Tennessee is looking to break a five-game losing skid in the tournament which dates back to 2001. UT is looking for its first win at Charles Schwab Field, which replaced the original Rosenblatt Stadium in 2011.

SERIES HISTORY
vs. LSU
Overall: LSU leads, 61-29
In Knoxville: LSU leads, 20-18
In Baton Rouge: LSU leads, 38-9
at Neutral Sites: LSU leads, 3-2
Last Meeting: W, 14-7 (April 1, 2023, in Baton Rouge)

Tennessee and LSU have never faced each other in the College World Series.

NOTABLE
HEY OMAHA, THE VOLS ARE BACK!
For the second time in three years and the sixth time overall, Tennessee is back in Omaha for the NCAA Men's College World Series (2023, 2021, 2005, 2001, 1995, 1951).

UT is the only program in the SEC and one of just four teams in the nation to appear in two of the last three College World Series, joining Stanford (2021, 2022, 2023), Texas (2021, 2022) and Virginia (2021, 2023).

The Big Orange advanced to Omaha after winning the Hattiesburg Super Regional against Southern Miss. UT won back-to-back elimination games over the Golden Eagles after dropping the series opener, 5-3. The Vols are now 9-3 overall record in super regional games, and have won four of the five super regionals they've participated in, with last season being the lone exception (lost to Notre Dame). UT has won all three of its super regional appearances away from home, posting a 6-1 record in matchups against Southern Miss (Hattiesburg, Miss.), East Carolina (Kinston, N.C. in 2001) and Georgia Tech (Atlanta in 2005).

After going undefeated in the Clemson Regional two weekends ago, the Vols have now won nine straight NCAA Regional games, the longest streak in program history and second longest current streak in the nation (Texas - 12). Tennessee and Texas are the only two programs in the country with current win streaks of nine games or longer in NCAA Regional play. This year's regional championship marked the program's first away from Knoxville.

VOLS ARE BATTLE TESTED
Tennessee has had no shortage of games against top-end competition this season after playing eight series and 25 total games against ranked foes this year. UT won five of those eight series, including taking two of three on the road against No. 9 Southern Miss in the Hattiesburg Super Regional last weekend.

The Big Orange is 15-10 overall against ranked teams this season, including six victories on the road after
toppling No. 9 ranked Southern Miss in the super regional and No. 4 national seed Clemson in a 14-inning thriller in the NCAA Clemson Regional.

Earlier this season, the Vols completed a grueling stretch of five straight weekend series against top-15 teams with a sweep of No. 2 Vanderbilt (April 21-23). The Vols played four consecutive series against top-five foes, facing No. 2 Vandy, No. 5 Arkansas, No. 2 Florida, No. 1 LSU and No. 12 Texas A&M in five straight weekend series, posting an 8-7 record during that stretch.

Since Vitello became UT's head coach in 2018, the Vols have posted 31 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.

POSTSEASON PEN ON POINT
A major reason for Tennessee's run to Omaha has been the dominance of the bullpen. In six NCAA Tournament games, the Vols' bullpen has allowed just two runs in 23.2 innings, posting a 0.76
earned run average. UT's relievers have combined for 29 strikeouts while issuing just 10 walks and have held opposing hitters to a .143 batting average during that span, as well.

During last weekend's Hattiesburg Super Regional at Southern Miss, Tennessee's relievers allowed just one run in nine innings of work, posting 12 strikeouts and allowing just one walk as the Big Orange held the Golden Eagles scoreless over the final 15 innings of the Super Regional

POSTSEASON ZANE
Senior third baseman Zane Denton has been arguably the most clutch hitter in Tennessee's lineup during postseason play. Though he has just five hits, four of those have been round-trippers and almost all of those home runs have come in the most impactful of moments.

Denton had a two-homer game in the biggest of moments at Clemson, homering in the seventh inning before belting a three-run homer in the top of the ninth with the Vols down to their final strike.

He continued the strong showing at the plate in the regional finale against Charlotte, launching a homer high off the batter's eye in the fourth inning.

Denton came through yet again in game three of the Hattiesburg Super Regional. With the Vols up just a run in the fifth, Denton crushed a 2-0 fastball high into the night sky that sailed over the fence for a three-run blast, giving the Vols some distance and quieting the home crowd.

For his performance during the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament, Denton was named to the NCAA
Clemson All-Regional Team and his four home runs in the tournament currently rank tied for third among all players.

OPPONENT SCOUT
LSU Tigers
  • 2023 Record: 48-15 (19-10 SEC)
  • Head Coach: Jay Johnson (second season)
  • Postseason Honors:
    • Paul Skenes: Dick Howser Trophy Winner; SEC Pitcher of the Year; First Team All-America (NCBWA); First Team All-SEC
    • Dylan Crews: Bobby Bragan National Collegiate Slugger of the Year; SEC Player of the Year; First Team All-America (NCBWA); First Team All-SEC; SEC All-Defensive Team
    • Tommy White: First Team All-America (NCBWA); First Team All-SEC
    • Jared Jones: Second Team Freshman All-America (NCBWA); SEC All-Freshman Team
  • Stat Leaders:
    • Average: Dylan Crews (.433)
    • OBP: Dylan Crews (.570)
    • SLG: Tommy White (.750)
    • OPS: Dylan Crews (1.303)
    • Hits: Dylan Crews (97)
    • Runs: Dylan Crews (89)
    • RBIs: Tommy White (97)
    • Doubles: Tommy White (22)
    • Triples: Tre' Morgan, Josh Pearson (3)
    • Home Runs: Tommy White (22)
    • Stolen Bases: Jordan Thompson (7)
    • ERA: Paul Skenes (1.77)
    • WHIP: Paul Skenes (0.78)
    • BAA: Paul Skenes (.170)
    • Innings Pitched: Paul Skenes (107.0)
    • Strikeouts: Paul Skenes (188)
    • Wins: Paul Skenes (12)
    • Saves: Thatcher Hurd, Gavin Guidry (3)
Click to expand...
Matchup info updated. GO BIG ORANGE! Whip LSU!!
 
  • Like
Reactions: chuckiepoo and Drewbydoo
#556
#556
TNVOLFN said:
I understand routine and the ”one pitch at a time” mentality, but I wish Beam was pitching tonight. He had the best Super Regional and his stuff right now is darn near untouchable.

I have full confidence in A. Lindsay, but I think game 1 in this format is so important, why not throw the pitcher who is in the best form? I don’t think rest would be the issue, but maybe I’m wrong.
Click to expand...
I just dont think you tinker with the rotation. Stick with what's gotten you to this point. Just hope some of our bats wake up or we could be an early exit. Tough to make a change at this point so I suspect Tony V will roll with the same lineup and hope for the best. If he's anything, he's loyal to his players and they respect that.
 
  • Like
Reactions: chuckiepoo, spyfish007, Tenacjim and 5 others
#557
#557
TNVOLFN said:
I understand routine and the ”one pitch at a time” mentality, but I wish Beam was pitching tonight. He had the best Super Regional and his stuff right now is darn near untouchable.

I have full confidence in A. Lindsay, but I think game 1 in this format is so important, why not throw the pitcher who is in the best form? I don’t think rest would be the issue, but maybe I’m wrong.
Click to expand...
If I could choose I’d pick Beam also
 
  • Like
Reactions: TNVOLFN
#560
#560
CAVPUT said:
I just dont think you tinker with the rotation. Stick with what's gotten you to this point. Just hope some of our bats wake up or we could be an early exit. Tough to make a change at this point so I suspect Tony V will roll with the same lineup and hope for the best. If he's anything, he's loyal to his players and they respect that.
Click to expand...

Fair point - and it obviously worked well in the regional - I just think Beam is a notch above the others and had previous success against LSU this season. But you make a solid point. Also, LSU hasn’t seen Lindsay as a starter and Beam doesn’t have a full week’s rest.
 
#565
#565
TNVOLFN said:
I know he had a couple of hiccups in the Super Regional, but I loved how he stayed aggressive and played with no fear - that kid will be more than alright with that mentality.
Click to expand...
Absolutely. His effort, heart, and hustle are unquestioned. I’m very confident in our OF defense.
 
  • Like
Reactions: youcancallmeAl, chuckiepoo, counterdevotee and 2 others
#566
#566
NO SIR EEE said:
Matchup info updated. GO BIG ORANGE! Whip LSU!!
Click to expand...

MY favorite "thing" that happened in these comment posting threads from last week was when someone asked something along the lines of "what network was carrying the game" and you replied with, something along the lines of, "It's literally in the title of this thread". IDK why it cracked me up so much, but it did because it was true.

AGAIN, thank you for digging up relevant game info because if I had to do it on my own, I could end up reading about Oceanic Salinity and how it relates to climate change, some WIKI entry about some other thing completely unrelated to "just the facts" of the game.
 
  • Like
Reactions: HeadVol77, youcancallmeAl, chuckiepoo and 1 other person
#568
#568
My input to the questions and discussions above.

You can over-coach and you can under-coach (see UVa last night.) It ain't broke, don't be fixing it at this stage of the game.

Ride with your horses. Dance with who brung you. Insert favorite cliche here.
 
  • Like
Reactions: HeadVol77, chuckiepoo and gnm53108
#569
#569
We need to play a clean game , no walks , no errors and no hit batters and scratch for a few timely hits and we can win , all the pressure is on LSU especially if we could grab an early lead
 
  • Like
Reactions: chuckiepoo
#570
#570
Bigvalley84 said:
We need to play a clean game , no walks , no errors and no hit batters and scratch for a few timely hits and we can win , all the pressure is on LSU especially if we could grab an early lead
Click to expand...

You’re putting way too much thinking into this. LSU is not unbeatable, our series with them could’ve gone either way earlier this year.
 
  • Like
Reactions: HeadVol77 and chuckiepoo
#571
#571
Speaking of Lindsey, this morning I went back and reread the great article Mike Wilson wrote about him towards the end of April. Mike has it pinned on his Twitter profile.



Andrew Lindsey went home to Waverly flood, found Tennessee baseball

Lindsey has a remarkable back story. If you have a KNS subscription, I encourage you take a moment to read it before the game tonight,

Last year, he had retired from baseball and was back in his hometown of Waverly, TN. Tonight he is Tennessee baseball’s starting pitcher as we open the College World Series. What a journey for him and his family!

Hope he has a strong performance tonight!
 
  • Like
Reactions: HeadVol77, ttatj, 2EastTnVols and 12 others
#573
#573
TN_gal said:
Speaking of Lindsey, this morning I went back and reread the great article Mike Wilson wrote about him towards the end of April. Mike has it pinned on his Twitter profile.



Andrew Lindsey went home to Waverly flood, found Tennessee baseball

Lindsey has a remarkable back story. If you have a KNS subscription, I encourage you take a moment to read it before the game tonight,

Last year, he had retired from baseball and was back in his hometown of Waverly, TN. Tonight he is Tennessee baseball’s starting pitcher as we open the College World Series. What a journey for him and his family!

Hope he has a strong performance tonight!
Click to expand...

Need to be tweeted to whoever is producing the game tonight. Unfortunately it will be all about the LSU pitcher
 
  • Like
Reactions: HeadVol77, chuckiepoo, TN_gal and 1 other person
New posts
Status
Not open for further replies.

VN Store



Back
Top