University of Tennessee Athletics
Vol Baseball Countdown: 28 Days
January 16, 2015 | Baseball
2015 Schedule
Baseball Time in Tennessee is just 28 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 Tennessee's 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 23 Vols have worn No. 28. The jersey number currently belongs to junior left-handed pitcher and Powell, Tenn., native Drake Owenby. Included in that mix is one of the best to ever pitch in Rocky Top, Mike Smithson (1975-76).
Looking Back...#28 MIKE SMITHSON
1974-76 | RHP | 6-8 | 215 lbs. | Centerville, Tenn. (Hickman County)
Mike Smithson was one of the best to ever toe the rubber in Knoxville. Over his career, Smithson wore No. 5, No. 28 and No. 42 with the Volunteers. A native of Centerville, Tenn., the 6-foot-8 Smithson was recruited and earned a basketball scholarship at the University of Tennessee. He played for Coach Ray Mears for three season with the likes of Bernard King and Ernie Grunfeld. Smithson appeared in 16 basketball games for the Vols, netting 31 points and pulling down 25 rebounds over his career.
Playing catch one day, Smithson was spotted by UT baseball head coach Bill Wright, who asked him to try out for the freshmen team. Smithson ultimately made the squad and went on to set multiple records for the Orange and White. He is the Vols' current leader in career winning percentage on the mound (Min. 14 decisions) with a 13-2 record and .867 winning percentage. His .800 (8-2) winning percentage in 1976 is tied for 10th in the Vols' single-season annuals. He also picked up seven complete games that season, good for sixth in the record books. He earned All-SEC Eastern Division honors that season.
A fifth-round draft pick by the Boston Red Sox in 1976, Smithson went on to play eight seasons in Major League Baseball for the Texas Rangers, Minnesota Twins and Red Sox. He compiled 76 wins, a 4.58 ERA, 41 complete games and 731 strikeouts in 1,356.1 innings pitched. Smithson also went on to win a 1987 World Series Championship with Minnesota.
The Vol For Life was inducted into the Tennessee Baseball Hall of Fame in 2004 and named to UTs's All-Century Team in 2009.
MORE NOTES ON SMITHSON
- Played three seasons with the Tennessee basketball team under coach Ray Mears
- Did color commentary for the Nashville Sound AAA team
- Current Athletic Director of Hickman County High School
Looking Ahead...#28 Drake Owenby
2013-Present | LHP | 6-2 | L/L | Powell, Tenn.
Junior pitcher Drake Owenby is the 23rd player to ever wear the No. 28 on the Tennessee baseball diamond. Over his first two seasons on Rocky Top, Owenby has pitched in 37 games, serving primarily in relief and as a closer for the Vols in 2014.
With a career record of 4-4 and a 4.44 ERA, Owenby's five saves last season are tied for 10th-most in a single season in Tennessee history. Owenby, who could look to reprise his role as closer this season, was also a member of the Cape Cod League's Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox this summer and helped the squad - along with fellow Vol teammates A.J. Simcox and Vincent Jackson - to a league championship title.
NOTES FROM HIS BIO
- Played tight end, linebacker and defensive end for his high school football team that went 11-1 in 2010 and 12-2 in 2012.
- Caught 19 passes for 254 yards and six TDs and made 30 tackles in his three years on the Panthers' varsity squad.
