| Tennessee vs. Florida STARTING PITCHER NOTES VOLS AT A GLANCE: Tennessee (34-19, 12-15 SEC) is looking to snap a season-high six-game losing streak and a five-game SEC losing skid in its final conference series of the season. The Vols are 5-14 in their last 19 games after bolting out to a 29-5 start. After winning three of their first four SEC series and starting 9-3 in conference play, the Vols have dropped their last five league series? and gone 3-12. UT is 7-5 against the East and finished 5-10 versus the West. The Vols have surpassed their win total from last season (31) while posting their 12th 30-win campaign in the last 14 years. UT is 25-8 at home, 9-11 on the road and 10-17 against ranked teams. In the latest NCAA rankings released May 17, the Vols were 13th in ERA at 3.35 and Derek Tharpe ranked 22nd in ERA at 2.07. In the pseudo-RPI rankings released by Boydsworld.com, which mimics the NCAA?s RPI formula, Tennessee was No. 24. The SEC has nine teams ranked the top 25 of the RPI and 10 in the top 30. Head coach Rod Delmonico is the sixth-winningest coach in Southeastern Conference history with 584 wins. UT has won nine of its last 12 home series and is 35-8 in its last 43 contests at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. Tennessee tries to reverse a trend that has plagued it the past few weeks. The Vols have won three of their last four Friday night games, but have lost five straight Saturday and Sunday contests. UT is 6-3 on Friday?s in league play, 4-5 on Saturday and 2-7 on Sunday.
MAGIC NUMBER: With Tennessee holding a one-game lead over Auburn for the final spot in the SEC Tournament, the magic number for the Vols to clinch a spot in the SEC Tournament is three. Any combination of UT wins and AU losses that total three will clinch. The Tigers hold the tiebreaker over the Vols.
Here is the formula: Determine the number of games yet to be played, add one, then subtract the number of games ahead in the loss column of the standings from the closest opponent. (3+1-1=3) NATIONAL RANKINGS: After a nine-week run in the polls, Tennessee is not ranked this week. UP NEXT: Tennessee travels to Hoover, Ala., to play in the Southeastern Conference Tournament, May 26-30. Opponent and game time have yet to be determined. SUAREZ AMONG SEC LEADERS: Over the last 25 games, designated hitter Alex Suarez has been one of Tennessee?s hottest hitters. He is batting .385 (35-for-91) during that span, hitting safely 20 times, including a season-high eight-game hitting streak. He has 13 multi-hit games with eight doubles, 16 runs scored and 16 RBI since the span started April 3.
Suarez ranks sixth with a .366 batting average, fourth with a .460 on-base percentage and third with 14 hit by pitches.He has kept up the pace in SEC play as he and Eli Iorg are the only Vols batting over .300. Suarez holds a .365 average which is ninth in league action.
He was selected second team All-SEC designated hitter by SEBaseball.com. IORG COMES ON STRONG: Who would have thought a sore back would be a cure all? Since missing the Ole Miss series with a sore back Eli Iorg has hit safely in 11 of the last 13 contests with five multi-hit games. He is second in the SEC in steals with 25.
Since the final game of the Georgia series, April 11, Iorg has hit safely in 13 of his last 15, batting .353 (24-for-68). He went on a season-high eight-game hitting streak during that span. In his previous 16 games, he was 15-for-64 (.234).
Iorg has had two four-hit games in the last two series. He went 4-for-4 vs. Vanderbilt 5/17 and 4-for-5 with a grand slam at South Carolina 5/16. KEEP ON DRUCKING: UT?s relief ace Scot Drucker is 4-2 with two saves in his last 15 appearances covering 28.2 innings with 31 strikeouts and 1.57 ERA. He would be fourth in ERA (2.17) with enough innings pitched. He is third in appearances (27), first in games finished (25) and tied for third in relief appearances (26).
Drucker has not allowed an earned run in 19 of his last 24 appearances (36.1 IP), posting a 1.98 ERA.
He has converted five of seven save opportunities and is tied for the team lead with six wins.
Against Kentucky he picked up two wins, while he saved the Georgia State series by earning a win and two saves in all three games. STREAKIN?: Alex Suarez and Eli Iorg are the current leaders in the clubhouse with two-game hitting streaks. Michael Rivera owns the longest hitting streak for a Vol this season at 10 games, while Cleveland and Josh Alley each had nine-game streaks. CHASING HEADLEY: If you can?t find Chase Headley in the position he played yesterday, just scan the field again because he is turning into a well-traveled Vol lately. After making four starts at third to begin the season, he suffered a hamstring injured that forced him to miss 10 games. He was then relegated to the DH role where he made 13 starts. Then in the third game of the Ole Miss series, Headley started in left before moving to right for the next six games. He started his fourth position at first base in the final two games of the Arkansas series and started twice in right and once at first in the Vanderbilt series.
Since breaking back into the starting lineup April 18, Headley has hit in nine of the last 12 games, batting .302 (13-for-43). CROWE HOPS: Catcher Nick Crowe ranks third in the SEC by throwing out 16 of the 49 runners attempting to steal on him for a 33 percent clip. He has also been a clutch hitter, collecting 14 of his 28 RBI with two out. SEC NOTES: - Tennessee is 12-15 in SEC play for the first time. The last time the Vols were: 12-18 (2002); 13-17 (2003); 14-16 (never); 15-15 (never). UT is 6-6 at home and 6-9 on the road in league action.
- Alex Suarez (.365) and Eli Iorg (.320) are the only Vols hitting over .300. Suarez has hit in 15 of last 20, going 27-for-71 (.380). Iorg has hit in six of last seven and 11 of 13 league games, going 20-for-54 (.370).
- The Vols rank fifth in conference games with a 4.00 ERA ... UT has the lowest opponent batting average against at .248 ... The Vols have a 4.62 ERA at home in SEC play and a 3.48 ERA in its 15 SEC road games.
- In the last nine SEC games, the Vols have a 3.91 ERA, giving up 63 hits in the last 76 innings with 59 strikeouts and 35 walks ... Tennessee is 1-2 in extra-inning games, 2-5 in one run games and 4-4 in two-run games.
- The Vols are 11th in the league with a .263 batting while averaging 4.5 runs per game ... They are hitting .257 with runners in scoring position ... UT has collected at least 10 hits in eight of its last 15 league games, batting .256 during that span while averaging 3.5 runs per game.
- Over the last 11 SEC games the Vols are batting .233, having collected 86 hits with six doubles and two home runs. They have scored 35 runs during that span and drawn 17 walks ... They snapped a 12-game homerless streak in SEC games with two at South Carolina 5/16. UT has 10 on the season (7 solo, 2 2-run, 1 GS).
- When the Vols posted their first sweep at Georgia since 1996, it was their first road sweep of any kind since taking three at Kentucky in 2001.
OFFENSE NOTES: - The Vols, who lead the SEC with the fewest strikeouts, are the only team in the conference that has drawn more walks and hit by pitches than strikeouts with 255 to 253, which has led to an on-base percentage of .384 that ranks sixth in the SEC. In 24 of the 53 games, they have been even or plus in walks vs. strikeouts.
- Josh Alley is fourth in the league with 34 walks, while Alex Suarez is third with 14 hit by pitches.
- The Vols have collected at least 10 hits 32 times, which has led to a .306 batting average which ties for fifth in the SEC.
- The Vols are tied for first in the league lead with 80 steals, led by Eli Iorg who is second with 25.
- Tennessee is fifth the SEC in runs scored at 384 and leads the conference in doubles with 134. The 134 doubles is the sixth-highest total in school history. Josh Alley is tied for fourth in the league in doubles with 18, while Brian Cleveland and Kyle Norrid are tied for ninth with 16.
- UT has also managed to score at least 10 runs in a game 15 times. It is 18-3 in games decided by five runs or more, 7-4 in two-run games and 4-8 in one-run games.
- Kyle Norrid (.421) is the only Vol batting .400 or better with runners in scoring position. On the season, the Vols are batting .310 with RISP and .352 (25-for-71) with the bases loaded. Eric King is 5-for-10 and Chris Kemp is 4-for-11 with the bases loaded.
- UT has jumped on opponents early this season scoring in the first inning 23 times while outscoring them 58-22. The Vols have scored nearly as many runs in the first four innings (198) as they have allowed all season (221). They have had a balanced scoring attack, plating at least 40 runs in all but the seventh (37) and ninth (11) innings.
- Tennessee has only five multi-home run games this year with a season-high three against Morehead State in the season opener.games this year with a season-high three against Morehead State in the season opener.
PITCHING NOTES: - Tennessee is fourth in the SEC and ranks 13th nationally with a 3.35 ERA.
- The staff is averaging 8.2 strikeouts per nine innings while posting a 2.2 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
- The Vols have posted at least 10 strikeouts 13 times, with a season-high 16 against Kentucky 4/2 and Tennessee Tech 4/21. Twice they have struck out 15 (Auburn 3/27 and Carson-Newman 4/14).
- The pitching staff has given up three or less earned runs 34 times, while allowing more than four earned runs in a game just 12 times.
SERIES BUSINESS: Under Delmonico, the Volunteers have done well in three-game series play. Tennessee has won 89 of 171 series (52 percent). Of the Vols? 89 series wins, 42 (47 percent) have been sweeps. PACK IT UP AFTER SIX: Since 1994, the Vols have been pretty much unbeatable when leading after six innings. Over the last 10 years, UT has compiled a 351-22 (94 percent) mark when leading after six. BENCH PRODUCTION: - Tennessee has gotten solid production off the bench as the reserves are batting .290 (49-for-169) with 39 runs scored, 19 doubles, one triple, three home runs and 43 RBI.
- Kelly Edmundson has five doubles and a pair of home runs while going 11-for-32 (.344) with eight RBI.
- Rob Fitzgerald has been productive by going 7-for-23 (.304) with a double, a triple, seven runs scored and four RBI.
- Brett Chappell has gone 7-for-25 (.280) with three doubles and six RBI.
- Todd Martin is 4-for-12 (.333) with a double and two RBI, while Michael Rivera is 4-for-11 (.364) and Chris Kemp is 3-for-8 with a double and RBI.
- Alex Suarez showed great execution, going 7-for-21 (.333) with five doubles, a home run and seven RBI.
- As a group, UT pinch hitters are 16-for-55 (.291) with five doubles, a triple, a home run and 17 RBI.
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DELMONICO IS SIXTH ON SEC WINS CHART: Head coach Rod Delmonico moved into sole possession of sixth-place on the SEC career victories list following the Vols? 13-4 win over Tennessee Tech. He has 584 wins and now sets his sights on former Auburn coach Hal Baird who is fifth with 634 victories.
In fact, Delmonico and Mississippi State?s Ron Polk are the only active coaches in the league with more than 500 career victories. MOREHEAD STATE SERIES RECAP: - Vols outscored Eagles 54-1 in the series
- UT record first back-to-back shutouts since the 1995 SEC Eastern Division Tournament
- For the third time in UT history and the first time since 1982, the Vols opened a season with back-to-back shutouts
- The 28-run victory margin was the largest in UT history, bettering the 26-run mark set in a 34-8 win over Georgia State in 1999
- Every player with at least one official at-bat got a hit
- UT starters did not allow a run in 15.0 IP while giving up just seven hits with 16 strikeouts and four walks
MIAMI SERIES RECAP: - Tennessee took one of three, snapping a five-game losing streak to the Canes
- UT rallied from 6-2 and 10-5 deficits to win 14-11 in the second game of the series
- The Vols committed a school-record eight errors in series finale
- Rob Fitzgerald went 3-for-7 with two doubles, while Eric King and Brian Cleveland each hit .417 with four RBI
EMU SERIES RECAP: - Josh Alley powered UT in the doubleheader by going 7-for-10 with three doubles, two home runs, five runs scored and five RBI ... Tied a UT record with three doubles in a game ... Also established a career high with five hits and two home runs in a game
- Alex Suarez led the Vols in series finale, going 4-for-5 with a home run and three RBI
- Derek Tharpe was impressive in game two, shutting out the Eagles on two hits over seven innings
GEORGIA STATE SERIES RECAP: - Scot Drucker earned a win and two saves in the series, tossing 3.0 innings with three strikeouts
- Nick Crowe collected the game-winning hit in the ninth of the series finale for a 3-2 UT win
- The Vols won 1-0 in game two of the series for the third shutout of the season
- UT starting pitchers did not allow an earned run in 22 1/3 innings
NIAGARA SERIES RECAP: - Vols sweep doubleheader over Purple Eagles in first-ever meeting
- Michael Rivera, Kyle Norrid and Eli Iorg each had five hits in the DH
- Josh Alley hit an inside-the-park home run, becoming the first Vol since Javi Herrera vs. LSU 4/26/04
SIENA SERIES RECAP: - Michael Rivera went 7-for-11 (.636) with four runs scored, a double and three RBI
- Derek Tharpe tossed the first nine-inning complete game of his career in UT's 6-2 win
MISSISSIPPI STATE SERIES RECAP: - The Vols won their first series over Mississippi State since 1998
- Derek Tharpe struckout a career-high 12 in 7.2 innings in UT's 9-4 win; Improved to 2-0 lifetime vs. MSU
- Ben Riley pitched nine innings in a no-decision in UT's 2-1 loss
- Eli Iorg and Josh Alley robbed two MSU hitters of home runs with great catches at the fence in UT's 8-3 win
- Brian Cleveland and Eric King each hit .417 in the series
AUBURN SERIES RECAP: - The Vols dropped their second series of the season and eighth straight to Auburn
- Michael Rivera provided the game-winning hit in the 10th of UT's 7-6 win
- Scot Drucker struckout a career-high eight in 4 1/3 innings of relief in the victory
- Eli Iorg hit his second home run, while Josh Alley led all Vol hitters with a .308 average in the series
KENTUCKY SERIES RECAP: - Tennessee sweeps Kentucky at home for the first time since 1992
- Scot Drucker went 2-0 on the weekend, striking out six while giving up one hit in 4 1/3 innings
- Derek Tharpe matched his career high with 12 strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings in game one
- In game three, Alex Suarez went 4-for-4 with three RBI, while Chris Kemp drove in five, including four in a nine-run first
GEORGIA RECAP: - Tennessee sweeps Georgia in Athens for the first time since 1996
- Derek Tharpe tosses his second complete game with nine strikeouts
- Alex Suarez goes 6-for-11 (.545) with a double and two RBI
- Brian Cleveland homered in the first two games of the series and drove in four runs
- Scot Drucker earned a win and a save in the series
OLE MISS RECAP: - Tennessee suffers first sweep of the season and first by the Rebels since 1989.
- Brian Cleveland and Kyle Norrid each homered in the series.
- Derek Tharpe pitched 8.2 innings in a no decision, striking out nine
LSU RECAP: - Vols suffer third straight series loss to LSU
- Eric King goes 5-for-10 with two doubles and three RBI; Josh Alley also gets five hits with two doubles
- UT pounds out 16 hits with seven doubles in series-opening win
ARKANSAS RECAP: - Vols suffer third straight SEC series loss
- Freshman Craig Cobb hurls five-hit CG in series opening 9-3 win, his first SEC start
- UT finishes 5-10 against SEC West
- Vols outscore Hogs 13-12 as Eli Iorg and Brian Cleveland both go 4-for-13 (.308)
VANDERBILT RECAP: - Vols suffer fourth straight SEC series loss
- Freshman Craig Cobb hurls second straight complete game in 2-0 loss
- Luke Hochevar tosses first CG of season in 5-3 win
- Eli Iorg goes 6-for-12 in series, including career-best 4-for-4 in opener
SOUTH CAROLINA RECAP - Freshman Craig Cobb hurls third straight complete game in 2-0 loss
- Luke Hochevar strikeouts 9 in 7 1/3 innings
- Eli Iorg goes 5-for-13 in series, including 4-for-5 in finale with grand slam
STARTING PITCHER NOTES: Here are some notes on this weekend's starting pitchers. Luke Hochevar, RHP (3-1, 3.55 ERA) ... Will be making his seventh start of the season and 12th of his career ... Returned to the lineup five weeks ago after missing eight weeks due to a lower leg injury suffered in the season opener and a head injury sustained on March 13 ... Struck out nine in 7.1 innings loss to South Carolina 5/14, giving up two runs on five htis ... Had a complete game victory over Vanderbilt 5/7 in which he limited the Commodores to three runs on six hits with eight strikeouts and one walk ... Is 2-1 in his last four starts with a 2.84 ERA in 25.1 innings with 26 strikeouts and 13 walks ... Pitched five innings at Arkansas 5/2 in his first SEC start, taking a no decision ... In season opener, tossed seven no-hit innings against Morehead State 2/13, matching his career high with 10 strikeouts ... Pitched two scoreless innings in a start against Carson-Newman 4/14 in his return from injury ... Took loss to Ole Miss 4/17 in 3.0 innings of relief ... Roughed up for five runs on four hits in three innings of relief against LSU 4/24 ... Is 5-2 in 11 career starts with a 3.90 ERA (67 Ks in 67.0 IP)
VERSUS FLORIDA: Took two losses in relief last year at Florida 3/28 & 3/30 ... Pitched a total 6.1 innings, giving up six runs on 10 hits with four strikeouts and three walks. Sean Watson, RHP, Fr. (4-4, 3.37) ... Will be making his team-high 14th straight start ... Is 0-4 in his last four starts with an 8.55 ERA in 20.0 innings ... Given up 21 hits with 14 strikeouts and 13 walks in that span ... Has worked at least five innings eight times ... Has allowed three or fewer earned runs in 11 of 13 starts ... Has walked 36 batters with 33 strikeouts over his last 49.0 innings ... Matched his season high with 8.0 innings against Kentucky 4/3, picking up the win after allowing one run on two hits ... Logged eight shutout innings in his first career win against Georgia State 3/6 ... Struckout five in his debut against Morehead State 2/14 ... Won his first SEC road start at Miss. State 3/20, pitching 7.0 innings, allowing three runs (one earned) ... Took no decisions in back-to-back conference starts at Georgia 4/10 and Ole Miss 4/17, giving up five runs (three earned) on 10 hits in 11.0 innings with eight strikeouts and nine walks ... Ran into trouble against Auburn, pitching a season-low three innings with a season-high six strikeouts. Craig Cobb, RHP (3-1, 2.44 ERA) ... An invited walk-on who will be making his fourth start and third in SEC play ... Is coming off back-to-back complete games performances against Arkansas 4/30 and Vanderbilt 5/8 ... Not since Jamie Bennett in 1999 has a UT pitcher thrown back-to-back complete games ... The last time a pitcher threw three straight CGs was R.A. Dickey in 1996 against Ole Miss, Kentucky and Miami ... Pitched a complete-game five hitter in his first SEC start giving up three first inning runs before shutting out the Razorbacks over the final eight innings ... Limited Vanderbilt to two runs on eight hits with a career-high five strikeouts and three walks ... Has been used mainly as a short reliever, making the third most relief appearances on the staff with 13 ... Earned a win in his first start against Niagara 3/10 in game one of a doubleheader ... Tossed seven innings in that outing, giving up two runs on six hits with two strikeouts ... Had not allowed an earned run in his last five relief appearances (6.0 innings) and had been unscored upon in his last four ... Made four relief appearances in SEC play, pitching three innings twice against Auburn 3/28 and LSU 4/25 ... Earned his first win at Miami 2/21, pitching a season-high 3.2 innings of relief, striking out a season-high four. | |
