| Delmonico Needs One Win for 500
 | Jordan Czarniecki hit 2 HR last three games, Is 5-for-12 (.417) with 5 RBI during that span | Head coach Rod Delmonico needs one more victory for No. 500 in his career. His career record stands at 499-260 (.657) in this his 13th season at the helm of the Tennessee baseball program.
Delmonico will become the ninth coach in Southeastern Conference history to reach the 500-win mark. He will tie former Georgia coach Steve Webber for eighth with his 500th win. He needs eight more wins to pass Auburn's Paul Nix for seventh place.
As Tennessee's winningest coach, Delmonico has accounted for nearly 33 percent of the school's total victories.
| SEC ALL-TIME COACHING WINS | | Name | School Record | | 1. *Ron Polk, Miss. State/Georgia | 974-471-1 | | 2. Skip Bertman, LSU | 870-330-3 | | 3. *Keith Madison, Kentucky | 702-573-5 | | 4. *Roy Mewbourne, Vanderbilt | 639-583-9 | | 5. Hal Baird, Auburn | 634-328 | | 6. Dave Fuller, Florida | 552-350-5 | | 7. Paul Nix, Auburn | 506-374-1 | | 8. Steve Webber, Georgia | 500-402-1 | | 9. *Rod Delmonico, Tennessee | 499-260 | | *Active coaches | | TENNESSEE AT A GLANCE
Tennessee has won three of its last four and six of 11 after starting 1-5.
They have raised the team batting average from .260 to .286 over the last three games, thanks in part to 48 hits during that span.
The pitching staff has a 3.08 ERA over the last eight games, including holding each of the last four opponents to two runs per game.
Brandon Hopkins, Walter Sevilla and Patrick Hicklen were named to the Hormel Foods Classic All-Tournament team.
Seven players have missed playing time this season due to injury (C Javi Herrera, OF Ryan Moffett, 2B Hunter Rigsby, P Ben Riley, 2B Nick Crowe, INF Rob Fitzgerald, P Brandon Crowe). UNC ASHEVILLE SERIES
Tennessee leads the series with UNC Asheville, 12-4. The Bulldogs, however, have won the last two meetings, 4-2 in 2000 and 13-12 in 1998. The Vols had won nine straight before the current two-game Bulldog winning streak.
| UNC ASHEVILLE SERIES | | 3/17/1987 | Knoxville | 5-4 | W | | 3/30/1988 | Knoxville | 13-4 | W | | 3/9/1989 | Knoxville | 6-5 | W | | 4/27/1989 | Knoxville | 5-8 | | L | | 5/2/1990 | Knoxville | 4-7 | | L | | 3/20/1991 | Asheville | 12-3 | W | | 3/21/1991 | Asheville | 7-6 | W | | 3/27/1991 | Knoxville | 13-3 | W | | 4/8/1992 | Knoxville | 17-0 | W | | 3/30/1993 | Knoxville | 12-3 | W | | 4/28/1993 | Knoxville (11) | 2-1 | W | | 3/22/1994 | Knoxville | 9-0 | W | | 4/18/1995 | Knoxville | 11-10 | W | | 2/25/1997 | Knoxville | 10-5 | W | | 3/17/1998 | Knoxville | 12-13 | | L | | 4/19/2000 | Knoxville | 2-4 | | L | UNC ASHEVILLE TIES
UNC Asheville head coach Matt Myers is a former Tennessee Volunteer, having played for coach Rod Delmonico in 1996 and 1997.
Myers compiled a 13-4 career record with a 4.73 ERA. He holds the UT record for pickoffs in a season and career.
Following his playing career, he served as a volunteer assistant coach for UT in 1999.
Also, Bulldog assistant coach Torry Zerilla served as the volunteer assistant coach for UT in 1997. ON DECK
Tennessee opens Southeastern Conference play with a three-game series at Alabama, Mar. 15-17. Game times are 6:30 p.m. CT, 4 p.m. CT and 2 p.m. CT. Alabama defeated the Vols earlier this season, 9-0, at the Hormel Foods Classic in Minneapolis, Minn.
The Vols have won the last two series against the Tide. DR. JECKYL AND MR. HYDE
Tennessee has been a Jeckyl and Hyde team with the bats this season. The Vols have been shutout twice and been held to one run three times. They have also exploded for at least 10 runs five times, including a season-high 21 runs at Minnesota 3/3.
In UT's seven wins, they are averaging 11.0 runs per game on 13.4 hits.
In the 10 defeats, the offense struggled averaging 3.0 runs on 7.3 hits per game.
They have been held to seven or fewer hits eight times and have at least 10 hits seven times, including two 20-hit games in the last three.
MEDICAL UPDATE
OUT -- 2B Hunter Rigsby (high left ankle sprain vs. Eastern Michigan 2/22 -- 1-2 weeks)
C Javi Herrera (broken left hamate bone vs. Bowling Green State 2/16 -- 4-6 weeks following successful surgery 2/19)
PROBABLE -- RF Ryan Moffett (small fracture on left eye orbital vs. Bowling Green State 2/17)
OUT FOR SEASON -- P Brandon Crowe underwent "Tommy John" surgery on his right elbow last July. He was a perfect 6-0 in 2001 with three saves and a team-leading 3.68 ERA. MOFFETT: McWHORTER AWARD
Senior outfielder Ryan Moffett has been chosen by Tennessee as a recipient of an SEC post-graduate scholarship and is a finalist for the 2001-02 H. Boyd McWhorter SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award.
Each finalist receives a $5,000 scholarship for post-graduate studies. The winner of the McWhorter Award will receive a $10,000 post-graduate scholarship.
Moffett is one of four baseball players in the league named as a finalist. OFFENSIVE NOTES - Tennessee has scored 21 and 18 runs in two of the last three games, while getting 21 and 23 hits in those two games, respectively.
- The Vols have raised their team batting average from .260 to .286 over the last three games, hitting .384 (48-for-125).
- Despite going 1-for-15 (.067) with the bases loaded this season, the Vols have managed to drive in 12 runs. They have done it on five walks, three sacrifice flies and four ground outs.
- After starting the season 13-of-14 in the stolen base department, the Vols have been successful on just 22 of their last 33 attempts. They have at least one steal in all but one game.
- UT is batting .254 (45x177) with runners in scoring position. They have been held to one or less hits with RISP seven times.
- The Vols have pounded out 10 hits in seven games and out-hit their opponents nine times.
- Tennessee has collected a double in four straight games and 15 of 17 on the season.
PITCHING NOTES - Tennessee's staff has posted a 3.08 ERA over the last eight games, dropping the team ERA from 5.80 to 4.47.
- They have also boosted their strikeout-to-walk ratio during that span, posting 77 strikeouts to 27 walks. They had 46 strikeouts and 47 walks in the first nine games.
- Tennessee's starting pitchers are 6-7 with a 4.60 ERA. The starters have worked at least 5.0 innings in each of the last five games.
- UT's bullpen is 1-3 with one save and a 4.25 ERA. They are holding opponents to a .208 average.
- The pen has worked at least four innings seven times.
- The Vols have lost two games in which they had the lead.
Led 4-1 at Miami 2/3 Lost 9-4
Led 4-2 at ASU 2/8 Lost 7-4 - No pitcher on the active staff for the 2002 season has more than one year experience pitching at the Division I level.
- The Vols return only 10 wins from last year's 48-win season and just 173.0 innings.
TERRELL NAMED NATIONAL AND SEC PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Tennessee junior left hander Jeffery Terrell was named the Louisville Slugger/Collegiate Baseball National Player of the week and the Southeastern Conference Pitcher of the Week after throwing the first nine-inning no-hitter in school history versus Bowling Green State Feb. 15, 5-0.
The no-hitter was the eighth in school history and the first since five pitchers combined to no-hit the College of Charleston in 2000.
Terrell threw 108 pitches and allowed just two base runners on a hit batsmen in the fourth inning and a walk on a 3-2 pitch in the ninth. He retired 15 straight batters at one point and finished with seven strikeouts.
For the season, Terrell is 1-0 with a save and a 1.62 ERA in 16.2 innings with 11 strikeouts and one walk. He has given up just six hits and opponents are batting .111 against him. VOLS TO PLAY SMOKIES
The Tennessee Volunteers are scheduled to play the Tennessee Smokies in an exhibition on May 1 at 6:30 p.m. at Smokies Park in Sevierville, Tenn.
It will be the first time the Vols have played against the Double-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. The teams were scheduled to play April 7, 1988 at Bill Meyer Stadium, but the game was rained out.
The last exhibition game Tennessee played was in 1994 when the Vols were beaten by NBI Canada at the College Baseball Classic in Seattle, Wash., 14-3.
Back in the 1910s and early 1920s, Tennessee regularly played exhibitions against Major League teams traveling north from spring training in Florida. PRESEASON ALL-AMERICA
Sophomore catcher Javi Herrera was named third-team preseason All-America and All-SEC by Baseball America. Herrera, a member of the Team USA National Team last summer, was a freshman All-America for the Vols in 2001 after batting .296 with seven home runs and 45 RBI. He was also noted as being the best defensive catcher in the league by Baseball America in its Best Tools section. Herrera was listed at No. 9 on Baseball America's Fab 50 Sophomores. HERRERA PLAYS ON TEAM USA
Sophomore catcher Javi Herrera got very little rest last summer as he went straight from the College World Series to a summer tour with the USA National Team.
Team USA, which finished 21-7-1, traveled to Japan and Alaska while trekking across the northern portion of the continental United States playing various collegiate summer league All-Star teams and other international opponents.
Herrera became the fifth Vol to spend a summer with Team USA, joining Todd Helton, R.A. Dickey, Augie Ojeda and Chris Burke. TEAM USA REUNIONS
Javi Herrera, a member of Team USA in 2001, reunited the first two weekends of the season with former Team USA teammates Mike Esposito of Arizona State and Miami third baseman Kevin Howard and pitcher Kiki Bengochea. THE TRAVELING VOLS
Tennessee will log over 11,000 miles in travel this spring with trips to Miami, Arizona State and Minnesota on the schedule in addition to five Southeastern Conference roads trips to Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi and South Carolina. CROWE ON USA JUNIOR TEAM
Freshman infielder Nick Crowe played on the Silver Medal winning USA Junior Team last summer in Camaguey, Cuba. With the 9-2 finish, the team secured a spot for the United States at the 2002 International Baseball Federation World Junior Championships. It was the highest ever finish for the U.S. The team outscored its opponents 120-17.
Crowe was one of five American's named to the All-Tournament team after hitting .471 with six doubles, one home run, 10 RBI and 13 runs scored in 11 games.
He, along with pitcher Jay Sadlowe, are listed among Baseball America's Fab 50 Freshmen. Sadlowe is No. 30, while Crowe is No. 37. TEAM CAPTAINS NAMED
For the second consecutive year, the 2002 Tennessee Volunteers will have team captains. Sophomore pitcher Patrick Hicklen and sophomore catcher Javi Herrera were chosen as captains for the season.
Last season, 2001 SEC Player of the Year Chris Burke and 2002 Volunteer Assistant Coach Devon Nicholson shared co-captain honors. EARLY DRAFT LOOK FOR `02 & `03
Although not listed among the top 100 college prospects by Baseball America's Prospect's Plus, junior shortstop Walter Sevilla was listed among the top collegiate players in the state of Tennessee likely to be drafted in June. Joining Sevilla on the state list is pitcher Brandon Crowe. Crowe is unlikely to be picked after sitting out the season due to elbow surgery.
Looking ahead to 2003 draft however, sophomores Javi Herrera and Patrick Hicklen are ranked in the top 50 of all collegians. Herrera is rated No. 12 overall and the top catcher. Hicklen is No. 42 and the 20th pitcher at the collegiate level.
Both were drafted out of high school in 2000, with Hicklen being selected in the 34th round by Los Angeles and Herrera going in the 42nd round to Boston. 2002 RECRUITING CLASS NO. 21
Tennessee's 2002 baseball recruiting class was ranked No. 21 by Collegiate Baseball. It marked the second straight year and the 10th time in the last 12 years that a Tennessee recruiting class was rated in the top 30. Last year's class was 20th and reached the College World Series for the third time in school history.
The class consisted of 10 recruits, including six freshmen and four junior college transfers.
Among the class are three players that were previously drafted. They are RHP Jay Sadlowe (Knoxville, Tenn. 26th round Los Angeles in 2001), SS Walter Sevilla (Miami, Fla. 34th round Milwaukee in 2000), and LHP Ben Riley (West Des Moines, Iowa 49th round Minnesota in 2000)
The rest of the class includes OF/P Joey Andrews (Englewood, Colo.), OF Chad LeGate (Longwood, Fla.), 2B Nick Crowe (Johnson City, Tenn.), RHP Justin Reed (Punta Gorda, Fla.), P/3B Rob Fitzgerald (New Orleans, La.), OF Jordan Czarniecki (Anderson, Ind.), LHP Jeffery Terrell (Lewisburg, Tenn.). FORMER VOLS ON 40-MAN ROSTERS
Seven former University of Tennessee Volunteers were listed on 40-man rosters by Major League teams. They are Mike DiFelice (St. Louis), Todd Helton (Colorado), Luke Hudson (Cincinnati), Mike Lincoln (Pittsburgh), Augie Ojeda (Chicago Cubs), Joe Randa (Kansas City) and Bubba Trammell (San Diego).
In addition, second baseman Jeff Pickler was selected in the rule five draft by Texas and will play at Triple A Oklahoma. HORMEL FOODS CLASSIC RECAP
A few notes from the Hormel Foods Classic, Mar. 1-3 - Patrick Hicklen tosses third career complete game while striking out a career-high 12 versus Florida Atlantice 3/2
- The Vols cranked out a season-high five home runs in 21-2 win over Minnesota 3/3
- Hal Bibee slugged two home runs as part of 4-for-6, 4 RBI game vs. Minnesota 3/3
- Vols tied with Alabama for the best record in tournament at 2-1
- Patrick Hicklen, Brandon Hopkins and Walter Sevilla were named to the all-tournament team
MOREHEAD STATE SERIES RECAP
A few notes from the Morehead State series, Mar. 5-6 - The Eagles posted their first win over the Vols, 2-1 in 10 innings 3/5
- Nick Crowe went 4-for-4 as UT pounded out a season--high 23 hits in 18-2 win to even the season series
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