University of Tennessee Athletics
Friday, May 4
Knoxville
6:30 P.M. ET
University of Tennessee
vs
#13 Kentucky
Baseball Central: Tennessee vs. #13 Kentucky
May 02, 2018 | Baseball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee welcomes No. 13 Kentucky to Lindsey Nelson Stadium for a crucial three-game conference series this weekend.
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The Volunteers are battling for one of the final spots in the SEC Tournament field and trail the Wildcats by just two games in the conference standings entering the weekend.
Broadcast Info
All three games this weekend will be streamed live on SEC Network+ (WatchESPN) with Bob Kesling (PxP) and Charlie Puleo (Color) on the call. John Wilkerson and Vince Ferrara will also call the action on Sports Radio WNML (FM 99.1 / AM 990) / UTSports.com.
Projected Starting Pitchers
Overall: UT leads, 156-140
In Knoxville: UT leads, 56-39
In Lexington: UT leads, 54-44
Neutral Sites: UT leads, 3-2
Unknown Location: UK leads, 55-43
Last Meeting: L, 7-2 (5/14/17)
The only program that Tennessee has played and beaten more than Kentucky is Vanderbilt (174 wins in 330 meetings). The Wildcats have dominated the series recently with five straight victories and eight wins in the past 10 meetings, including a series sweep in Lexington last season.
Need to Know
No. 13 Kentucky Wildcats
FRIDAY
Tennessee will play its final three home games of the season next weekend when in-state and SEC rival Vanderbilt comes to town for a three-game series. UT's seniors will be honored before game two on Saturday night. Get your tickets now on AllVols.com.
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.
Traffic Advisory for Friday
There may be more traffic than usual on and around campus on Friday as Pellissippi State Community College will hold its graduation at Thompson-Boling Arena  from 3-7 p.m.
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.
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MORE INFO
Game Times & Broadcast Info
- Opponent: No. 13 Kentucky Wildcats
- Location: Knoxville, Tenn.
- Venue: Lindsey Nelson Stadium (4,283)
- Game 1: Friday, May 4 – 6:30 p.m. (WATCH)
- Game 2: Saturday, May 5 – 6 p.m. (WATCH)
- Game 3: Sunday, May 6 – 1 p.m. (WATCH)
- Online Stream: SEC Network+ (WatchESPN)
- Radio: WNML / UTSports.com
- Live Stats: UTSports.com
Tennessee (25-22, 8-13 SEC)
Roster Schedule Stats Game NotesKentucky (29-15, 10-11 SEC)
Roster Schedule StatsThe Volunteers are battling for one of the final spots in the SEC Tournament field and trail the Wildcats by just two games in the conference standings entering the weekend.
Broadcast Info
All three games this weekend will be streamed live on SEC Network+ (WatchESPN) with Bob Kesling (PxP) and Charlie Puleo (Color) on the call. John Wilkerson and Vince Ferrara will also call the action on Sports Radio WNML (FM 99.1 / AM 990) / UTSports.com.
Projected Starting Pitchers
- LHP Will Heflin (4-2, 5.13 ERA) vs. RHP Sean Hjelle (6-3, 2.95 ERA)
- TBA vs. LHP Zack Thompson (2-0, 5.79 ERA)
- RHP Will Neely (4-1, 3.68 ERA) vs. RHP Justin Lewis (7-2, 4.39 ERA)
Overall: UT leads, 156-140
In Knoxville: UT leads, 56-39
In Lexington: UT leads, 54-44
Neutral Sites: UT leads, 3-2
Unknown Location: UK leads, 55-43
Last Meeting: L, 7-2 (5/14/17)
The only program that Tennessee has played and beaten more than Kentucky is Vanderbilt (174 wins in 330 meetings). The Wildcats have dominated the series recently with five straight victories and eight wins in the past 10 meetings, including a series sweep in Lexington last season.
Need to Know
- Tennessee is coming off a close midweek loss to Morehead State on Tuesday but won the series finale at No. 20 Georgia, 6-5, in extra innings on Sunday afternoon. It was the Vols' fifth win over a ranked opponent this season. Â
- Sophomore second baseman Jay Charleston had his best game of the season on Sunday, scoring the eventual game-winning run in extra innings while tying a career high with four hits and setting another new career high with three stolen bases on the day.
- Charleston is currently tied for the SEC lead with 18 stolen bases this season.
- With Sunday's win, UT surpassed its SEC win total from last season with nine conference games still left to play.
- The Vols have been very good at home in SEC play this season with a 6-3 record in conference games played at Lindsey Nelson Stadium, compared to a 2-10 record on the road in league play.
- UT's offense has emerged as of late, scoring six or more runs in 12 of the team's last 18 games.
- Senior center fielder Brodie Leftridge had a strong showing at the plate in the Vols' series against Georgia. The Baltimore native hit his third home run in the series opener and finished the weekend with a team-best five RBI and two doubles.Â
- Leftridge has a hit in seven of his last nine games and leads the Vols with 14 RBI in SEC play.
- Freshman LHP Garrett Crochet earned his fourth win of the season with Sunday's victory over the Bulldogs. Crochet gave up just three hits and two runs (one earned) in 4.1 innings of relief.
No. 13 Kentucky Wildcats
- Record: 29-15 (10-11 SEC)
- 2017 Postseason: NCAA Louisville Super Regional (0-2)
- Were picked to finish second in the Eastern Division of the SEC in the preseason coaches' poll but enter the weekend in fifth place in the division.
- The Wildcats had three players named to the All-SEC preseason teams: OF Tristan Pompey (1st team), 2B Luke Becker (2nd team) and RHP Sean Hjelle (2nd team).
- UK is one of the top hitting teams in the conference and the country, ranking 11th nationally in scoring (7.5 runs/game), fifth in home runs (67), third in slugging percentage (.506) and fourth in on-base percentage (.413).
- Luke Heyer and Kole Cottam both rank in the top-10 nationally in home runs with 16 and 15, respectively. Heyer leads the SEC in homers and also ranks first in the league with 49 RBI.
- The Wildcats have the highest team ERA (5.27) and have allowed the most earned runs (226) among SEC teams.
- Friday-night starter Sean Hjelle leads the pitching staff with a 6-3 record, 2.95 ERA and 73.1 innings pitched.
FRIDAY
- Student Promotions: Rewards Swipe-In and Pick-Up| First 200 students receive a UT throwback tank.
- Cinco de Derby: Weiner Dog Derby (5th Inning)Â
- K's for Queso: All fans with a valid ticket receive free queso from Moe's if Vols' pitchers record five strikeouts.
- Giveaway: First 100 fans receive a free Tennessee mini tumbler.
- Kids Day: All kids 12 and under receive free admission. Run the bases and get postgame autographs from select players (Weather Permitting).
Tennessee will play its final three home games of the season next weekend when in-state and SEC rival Vanderbilt comes to town for a three-game series. UT's seniors will be honored before game two on Saturday night. Get your tickets now on AllVols.com.
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.
Traffic Advisory for Friday
There may be more traffic than usual on and around campus on Friday as Pellissippi State Community College will hold its graduation at Thompson-Boling Arena  from 3-7 p.m.
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.
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