University of Tennessee Athletics
UT's oldest SEC rivalry renewed versus Tide
April 10, 2008 | Baseball
UT Notes (PDF) | UA Notes (PDF)
The Tennessee baseball team looks to build upon its 5-1 record in home Southeastern Conference games this weekend when it hosts SEC Western Division foe Alabama for a three-game series at Robert M. Lindsay Field at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. Despite being picked by the league coaches to finish last in the SEC race, the Volunteers under first-year head coach Todd Raleigh own the third-best SEC record nearing the halfway point of league play.
Game times are set for 7 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Saturday???s game will be televised regionally on SportSouth. All three games will be broadcast on the radio in the Knoxville area on WNML AM 990, FM 99.1 & 99.3. And the radio broadcasts also can be accessed for free online at UTsports.com.
At 20-12 (7-5 SEC), Tennessee sits just two games back of first place in the overall SEC standings. The friendly confines of Lindsey Nelson Stadium have brought the Vols much success this year, as UT???s overall home record stands at 16-3.
One aspect of Tennessee???s successful first half of the season has been its ability to stifle its opponents??? running game. UT catchers Yan Gomes and Blake Forsythe have excelled at extinguishing potential base-stealers, allowing just 29 steals in 54 attempts (53.7 percent). Forsythe has thrown out nine baserunners to rank third in the SEC, while Gomes has thrown out seven to rank tied for fifth in the league.
The Vols also have picked off four opposing baserunners on the year.
Alabama carries a 19-15 (5-7 SEC) record onto Rocky Top???including a 4-8 road mark???and sits in a tie for third place in the SEC Western Division. The Crimson Tide under 14th-year head coach Jim Wells are hitting .299 as a team with 34 home runs. Alabama???s staff ERA is 4.49, and opponents are hitting .261 against Tide pitchers.
On the basepaths, Alabama has swiped 34 bases in 45 attempts (75.6 percent)
Friday???s pitching matchup pits UT sophomore left-hander Nick Hernandez (1-1, 3.79 ERA) against Alabama junior right-hander Austin Hyatt (2-3, 4.03 ERA). Redshirt-freshman lefty Bryan Morgado (3-2, 3.32 ERA) will start on the mound for the Vols Saturday, while the Tide send junior right-hander Robert Phares (1-2, 5.50 ERA) to the hill. Tennessee has not announced its Sunday starter, but Alabama will go with red-hot junior southpaw Miers Quigley (4-1, 2.81 ERA).
Tennessee trails the all-time series with Alabama 26-61, dating to 1897. The Tide also hold a 19-13 edge in Knoxville and have won seven of the last 10 overall meetings. The Big Orange have won two of the last three series against Alabama in Knoxville, but the Tide swept the Vols in the last series held on Rocky Top (2006).
Numerous promotions are slated to take place at the ballpark this weekend.
Friday is ???Greek Night,??? with hot dogs and drinks available for fraternity and sorority members in the left-field bleachers. After the game there will be a student home-run challenge, with the winner set to receive $250 worth of textbooks from Rocky Top Books. A fireworks show will follow.
Tennessee???s ???Family Plan??? ticket package is available for Saturday???s game. For just $20, families receive four tickets, a large pizza and a baseball autographed by sophomore first baseman/pitcher Jeff Lockwood.
The Vols on Saturday also continue their cancer awareness efforts by partnering with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for a ???UT Lights the Night??? event. Cancer survivor Sheila Stone, mother of Vols pitcher Zane Stone, will throw out a ceremonial first pitch, and the team will join fans for a cancer walk around the field after the game.
Sunday is ???Fan Appreciation Day,??? with all kids (age 12 and under) receiving free admission as well as a coupon for a free hot dog and drink. Kids can run the bases after the game, and fans can visit with the Vols on the field after the series-finale as well.
All fans who donate a children???s book Sunday also will receive free admission.
Should inclement weather threaten the status of any game this weekend, fans are encouraged to call (865) 974-5555 to receive the most up-to-date information regarding the game???s status before heading to the park.
