University of Tennessee Athletics
Vol Baseball Countdown: 25 Days
January 19, 2015 | Baseball
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Baseball Time in Tennessee is just 25 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 27 Vols have worn No. 25 and senior outfielder Johnny Youngblood is the most-recent Vol to don the jersey. Joining him is former right-handed pitcher a Farragut High School grad Craig Cobb, who set multiple records on the mound during his time in the Orange and White.
Looking Back...#25 Craig Cobb
2004-07 | RHP | 5-9 | 180 lbs. | Knoxville, Tenn. (Farragut)
A local product out of baseball powerhouse Farragut High School in Knoxville, Craig Cobb was a letterwinner on Rocky Top from 2004-07. Starting his career as a short reliver, Cobb quickly jumped into the starting rotation just six weeks into his college career. He wrapped up his rookie season with a 3-5 record, but his record was deceptive as the Vols scored four total runs in his final four starts (all losses). In his rookie year, Cobb became the first Vol to throw three straight complete games since UT legend R.A. Dickey did so in 1996.
Cobb started 15 games and pitched 99.1 innings as a sophomore, finishing the season with a 7-4 record and a 4.53 ERA. He was moved into a setup role for the start of his junior campaign, but was needed back in the starting rotation midway through the season and eventually moved into the No. 1 starter's slot. Cobb finished the season with a 9-3 record, a team-best 3.31 ERA and garnered ABCA All-South Region honors.
Tennessee's lone senior in 2007, Cobb led the Vols with eight wins and capped a distinguished career by establishing himself as a prominent fixture in the school's all-time records book.
Cobb closed out his four-year career holding the school record for appearances (85) and ranking second in wins (27), second in innings pitched (383.0), third in games started (48), tied for fifth in complete games (12) and seventh in strikeouts (214). He was also a four-time SEC Academic Honor Roll member.
THROWBACK NOTES ON COBB
- Led Farragut HS to the 2003 Class AAA State Championship and No. 2 national ranking
- Enjoys golf as an off-the-field activity
- Admired the pitching prowess of Roger Clemens
Looking Ahead...#25 Johnny Youngblood
2014-Present | OF | 6-3 | 185 lbs. | R/R | Lexington, Ky.
Senior outfielder Johnny Youngblood is the 27th Vol to wear the No. 25 when he puts on his jersey in just 25 days. Last season, he also played in 25 games for the Vols, including eight starts in center field and one as designated hitter. Youngblood came to Knoxville from Meridian Community College in Meridian, Miss.
A two-time MLB draftee, Youngblood was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 15th round of the 2012 MLB First-Year Player Draft and the Atlanta Braves in the 30th round out of high school (2011). Prior to his arrival at Tennessee, he was ranked as the ninth-best junior college prospect by Baseball America. He posted 99 hits with 72 runs scored, 39 RBI and 48 stolen bases in just 55 attempts at Meridian.
NOTES FROM HIS BIO
- Full name is Jonathan Pierre Youngblood
- Majoring in turfgrass science & management
- Aspires to play in the MLB or be the head of grounds at a MLB stadium
