University of Tennessee Athletics
Friday, March 23
Knoxville
6:30 P.M. ET
University of Tennessee
vs
Alabama
Baseball Central: Tennessee vs. Alabama
March 21, 2018 | Baseball
SCHEDULE UPDATE: Due to inclement weather in the area on Saturday, the Vols and Crimson Tide will play a doubleheader on Sunday. Both games will be seven innings with first pitch for game one slated for noon ET on SEC Network + (WatchESPN). Game two will begin no earlier than 3 p.m. and will air live on the SEC Network.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee hosts rival Alabama for its SEC home opening series this weekend at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
Â
The Vols and Crimson Tide begin their series on Friday night at 6:30 p.m. on SEC Network + (WatchESPN). Both teams will be looking for their first SEC series win after going 1-2 in their opening series of conference play last weekend.
Projected Starting Pitchers
Friday's game will be streamed live on SEC Network + (WatchESPN) with Mike Keith (PxP) and Rusty Ensor (color) on the call. The first game of Sunday's doubleheader will be streamed on SEC Network + (WatchESPN) and the second game will air live on the SEC Network with Mike Morgan (PxP) and Mike Rooney (color) calling the action.
John Wilkerson and Vince Ferrara will also be calling the game for radio on Sports Radio WNML (FM 991. / AM 990) and UTSports.com.
Series History vs. Alabama
Overall: Alabama leads, 73-35
In Knoxville: Alabama leads, 25-19
In Tuscaloosa: Alabama leads, 33-13
Neutral Site: Alabama leads, 5-1
Last Meeting: W, 6-3 (3/26/16)
The Vols have struggled against the Crimson Tide historically and in recent history, winning just four of the last 10 meetings in the series. Tennessee won the series finale against Alabama last season in Tuscaloosa after dropping the first two games of the series. Â
Need to Know
Alabama Crimson Tide
FRIDAY
The Vols travel to Cullowhee, N.C., to take on Western Carolina in their first midweek road game of the season. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. ET and fans can listen to the game live on WNML (AM 990) and UTSports.com.
Travel Advisory
Fans traveling to Lindsey Nelson Stadium via I-40 should be alert for lane closures that will have a significant impact on travel times starting Friday at 8 p.m. and ending Monday at 6 a.m.
Gameday/Stadium Policies & Information
Clear Bag Policy
In an effort to enhance safety and expedite fan entry at Tennessee athletic events, UT has implemented a clear bag policy at Lindsey Nelson Stadium and all other athletic facilities. Only one clear bag no larger than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches (gallon size) per person is permitted. Fans are also allowed a small clutch purse not exceeding 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches.
Stadium Entry
Please be aware that gates will not open until 90 minutes prior to game time as opposed to two hours like it has been in years past.
Parking
Baseball parking is located in Lots G16, GF2, GF3, GF4, and C22. (Thompson-Boling Arena and Neyland Stadium events have priority if on same days as baseball games.)
Additional parking is located on the street along Todd Helton Drive. Parking for MVP ticket holders is located in Lot GF1 and handicap parking is located in marked handicap spaces on Pat Head Summitt Drive and G16 Garage.
Please refer to the parking map by clicking HERE.
Other Info
All of the information listed above and more can be found on the Tennessee Baseball Gameday Information page HERE.
Â
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee hosts rival Alabama for its SEC home opening series this weekend at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
MORE INFO
Game Times & Broadcast Info
- Opponent: Alabama Crimson Tide
- Venue: Lindsey Nelson Stadium
- Game 1: Friday, March 23 – 6:30 p.m. ET (WATCH)
- Game 2: Sunday, March 25 – 12 p.m. ET (WATCH)
- Game 3: Sunday, March 25 – Approximately 3 p.m. ET (WATCH)
- TV/Stream: SEC Network + &Â SEC Network (Game 3)
- Radio: WNML / UTSports.com
- Live Stats: UTSports.com
- Tickets: AllVols.com
Tennessee Volunteers (13-9)
Roster Schedule Stats Game NotesAlabama Crimson Tide (16-6)
Roster Schedule StatsÂ
The Vols and Crimson Tide begin their series on Friday night at 6:30 p.m. on SEC Network + (WatchESPN). Both teams will be looking for their first SEC series win after going 1-2 in their opening series of conference play last weekend.
Projected Starting Pitchers
- LHP Garrett Crochet (2-2, 4.60 ERA) vs. RHP Sam Finnerty (2-1, 3.09 ERA)
- RHP Garrett Stallings (3-1, 3.06 ERA) vs. RHP Jake Walters (2-2, 7.11 ERA)
- RHP Will Neely (2-1, 3.64 ERA) vs. LHP Garret Rukes (1-0, 1.00 ERA)
Friday's game will be streamed live on SEC Network + (WatchESPN) with Mike Keith (PxP) and Rusty Ensor (color) on the call. The first game of Sunday's doubleheader will be streamed on SEC Network + (WatchESPN) and the second game will air live on the SEC Network with Mike Morgan (PxP) and Mike Rooney (color) calling the action.
John Wilkerson and Vince Ferrara will also be calling the game for radio on Sports Radio WNML (FM 991. / AM 990) and UTSports.com.
Series History vs. Alabama
Overall: Alabama leads, 73-35
In Knoxville: Alabama leads, 25-19
In Tuscaloosa: Alabama leads, 33-13
Neutral Site: Alabama leads, 5-1
Last Meeting: W, 6-3 (3/26/16)
The Vols have struggled against the Crimson Tide historically and in recent history, winning just four of the last 10 meetings in the series. Tennessee won the series finale against Alabama last season in Tuscaloosa after dropping the first two games of the series. Â
Need to Know
- Tennessee went 2-2 last week and recorded its first win on the road over a ranked team since beating No. 7 Florida, 3-2, on April 8 of last year with an 8-6 victory at No. 8 Ole Miss on Friday night.
- Both teams are coming off tough midweek losses to in-state opponents on Tuesday.
- Sophomore Jay Charleston set a new career high with four hits in Tuesday's loss to ETSU. He also drove in two runs and scored once.
- Freshman Brandon Trammell hit his second home run of the year on Tuesday, launching a three-run shot to get UT a 4-0 lead in the first inning.
- In last Friday's SEC opener, the Vols upset No. 8 Ole Miss 8-6 to earn their first win over a ranked team on the road since April 8 of last season.
- UT used a six-run seventh inning to break a 2-2 tie and held on for the win as RHP Zach Linginfelter tossed 2.1 scoreless innings to close out the game for his second save of the season.
- The duo of Andre Lipcius and Brodie Leftridge led the Vols in their Friday win over the Rebels, combining for five hits, five RBI and three runs scored.
- Justin Ammons hit his first home run of the year, a solo shot in the fifth inning of last Saturday's loss to the Rebels.
- Despite another strong outing from junior RHP Will Neely, the Vols were shut out in Sunday's series finale in Oxford. Neely went 6.1 innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits and struck out four.
- Freshman RHP Sean Hunley had his consecutive scoreless innings streak snapped on Tuesday vs. ETSU. The Mount Juliet, Tenn., native went 22.2 straight innings without allowing a run before giving up a two-run homer in the third inning of Tuesday's loss.
- Hunley threw a complete-game shutout, scattering seven hits while striking out three and walking nobody last week in a 5-0 win over Western Carolina. Hunley became the first UT true freshman pitcher to throw a complete game since Josh Lindblom went the distance for the Vols against Georgia on April 22, 2006 in a 3-0 loss.
- Hunley's complete-game shutout was also the first by a Vols' pitcher since current Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zack Godley threw one in 2013.
Alabama Crimson Tide
- Record: 16-6 (1-2 SEC)
- 2017 Postseason: N/A
- Picked to finish seventh in the Western Division of the SEC Preseason Coaches' Poll.
- Led by first-year head coach Brad Bohannon.
- Alabama features a potent lineup with eight players that have 10 or more RBI this season. The Tide rank 28th nationally with a team batting average of .300.
- Junior second baseman Cobie Vance was named Preseason First-Team All-SEC by the league's coaches. Vance leads the team with 24 runs scored.
- Senior infielder Chandler Avant leads the Tide and ranks among the SEC leaders in batting average (.391), hits (34), RBI (26), doubles (nine) and on-base percentage (.505).
- Junior outfielder Chandler Taylor is tied for second in the SEC with nine home runs.
- Junior RHP Sam Finnerty leads all starters on the team with a 2-1 record and 3.09 ERA and will get the ball on Friday night.
FRIDAY
- Campers Night: All campers receive free admission for themselves and two guests.
- Giveaway: First 200 students receive a Tennessee throwback tank.
- National Chip N Dip Day: Free queso from Moe's if UT pitchers strike out five batters in the game.
- Ceremonial First Pitch: Tennessee Athletic Director Phillip Fulmer will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.
- Giveaway: First 250 fans receive a Tennessee throwback hat.
- Kids Day: All kids 12 and under receive free admission. Run the bases and get postgame autographs from select players (Weather Permitting).
The Vols travel to Cullowhee, N.C., to take on Western Carolina in their first midweek road game of the season. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. ET and fans can listen to the game live on WNML (AM 990) and UTSports.com.
Travel Advisory
Fans traveling to Lindsey Nelson Stadium via I-40 should be alert for lane closures that will have a significant impact on travel times starting Friday at 8 p.m. and ending Monday at 6 a.m.
Gameday/Stadium Policies & Information
Clear Bag Policy
In an effort to enhance safety and expedite fan entry at Tennessee athletic events, UT has implemented a clear bag policy at Lindsey Nelson Stadium and all other athletic facilities. Only one clear bag no larger than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches (gallon size) per person is permitted. Fans are also allowed a small clutch purse not exceeding 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches.
Stadium Entry
Please be aware that gates will not open until 90 minutes prior to game time as opposed to two hours like it has been in years past.
Parking
Baseball parking is located in Lots G16, GF2, GF3, GF4, and C22. (Thompson-Boling Arena and Neyland Stadium events have priority if on same days as baseball games.)
Additional parking is located on the street along Todd Helton Drive. Parking for MVP ticket holders is located in Lot GF1 and handicap parking is located in marked handicap spaces on Pat Head Summitt Drive and G16 Garage.
Please refer to the parking map by clicking HERE.
Other Info
All of the information listed above and more can be found on the Tennessee Baseball Gameday Information page HERE.
Â
Players Mentioned
OF
/ Baseball
OF/INF
/ Baseball
LHP
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
OF
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
INF
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
INF/RHP
/ BaseballBSB | Tennessee Super Regional Postgame Presser at Arkansas (6.8.25)
Sunday, June 08
BSB | Tennessee Super Regional Postgame Presser at Arkansas (6.7.25)
Saturday, June 07
BSB | Tennessee Official Super Regional Preview Press Conference (6.6.25)
Friday, June 06
BSB | Tony Vitello Pre-NCAA Super Regional Media Availability (6.5.25)
Thursday, June 05
