University of Tennessee Athletics
Vol Baseball Countdown: 30 Days
January 14, 2015 | Baseball
2015 Schedule
Baseball Time in Tennessee is just 30 days away!
Throughout January and February, UTSports.com will count down the days leading up to the start of the Vols' 2015 campaign (Feb. 13) with a look back at the many players who donned each jersey No. 30 through No. 1.
After opening last season at home, the Vols will travel to Miami, Fla., this year to face Florida International for a three-game series (Feb. 13-15). The team will return home to take on Tennessee Tech on Wednesday, Feb. 18 and Rutgers for four games (Feb. 20-22) during the Vols' home opener weekend at Lindsey Nelson Stadium, including a doubleheader against the Scarlet Knights on Saturday, Feb. 21.
The Orange & White will later host long-time SEC foe Georgia (March 20-22) for the program's first home conference opponent series in March. Additionally, Missouri (April 9-11), South Carolina (April 24-26), Texas A&M (May 1-3) and Mississippi State (May 15-17) will make trips to Rocky Top this year.
On the season, the Volunteers, led by Head Coach Dave Serrano and his staff, are scheduled to play 27 of their 55 regular season games against nine 2014 NCAA postseason participants, including College World Series squads Vanderbilt, UC Irvine and Ole Miss.
A total of 19 Vols have worn No. 30 in Tennessee history, including right-handed pitcher Scot Drucker (2003-04). Here's a look at the pitching career of Drucker, who went on to play seven seasons of professional ball with the Oakland and Detroit organizations.
Looking Back...#30 Scot Drucker
2003-04 | RHP | 6-1 | R/R | Miami, Fla.
Drucker - forced to sit out the 2003 season after transferring from the University of Florida - played just one season for the Volunteers in 2004. The Big Orange roared out of the gates to a 29-5 record - the best start in program history - and Drucker had much to do with the success on the mound. He compiled an impressive 2.61 ERA and led the team with an 8-3 record. He finished the season with 65 strikeouts and a team-high five saves in 58.2 innings pitched. His five saves is currently tied for 10th in the single-season record books and his 32 appearances as a junior are a UT record. The Vols cooled down in 2004, but snapped a two-year postseason absence by reaching the NCAA Regional.
The righty was drafted in the 13th round of the 2004 MLB First-Year Draft by the Oakland Athletics and went on to play in the minors for the Vancouver Canadians, Kane County Cougars and Stockton Ports of the A's organization. He also played for the Erie SeaWolves (AA) and Toledo Mud Hens (AAA) of the Detroit Tigers organization in. Over eight professional seasons, he compiled 40 wins and 21 saves in 557.1 innings pitched.
He later returned to Rocky Top to complete his degree requirements through the Thornton Center's Renewing Academic Commitment program and is currently a MLBPA Certified Agent.
THROWBACK NOTES FROM HIS BIO
- Grandfather Bernard Sternback played in the Philadelphia Phillies organization
- Graduated from the Westminster Academy in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
- Majored in sport psychology
