University of Tennessee Athletics
Vol Baseball Countdown: 16 Days
January 28, 2015 | Baseball
2015 Schedule
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Baseball Time in Tennessee is just 16 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.
Practice has officially begun on Rocky Top. The Diamond Vols are in action throughout the week. All outdoor practices at Lindsey Nelson Stadium are free and open to the public. For more information, visit UTSports.com
In total, 25 Vols have worn the Orange and White No. 16, including new addition to the Vol Family this year, Jacob Westphal. Today, we rewind a decade and take a look back at former Vol designated hitter and first baseman Alex Suarez, who played on Rocky Top from 2003-05, and is now the Assistant Director, Player Development/International Scouting with the Chicago Cubs.
THE PAST...#16 Alex Suarez
2003-05 | DH/1B | 6-0 | 200 lbs. | R/R | Miami, Fla.
A native of Miami, Alex Suarez attended Florida International University as a freshman. He hit .326 for the Panthers, with 12 doubles, two triples, three home runs and 27 RBIs while playing 47 games. He made 34 starts, stole 10 bases and recorded a 13-game hitting streak during the season.
Suarez transferred to Tennessee and played the following season for the Vols. He appeared in 43 games, including 35 starts (34 as DH). He batted .299 with one home run and 15 RBIs, but saw his numbers increase to .311 with eight RBIs in SEC play.
Suarez had a breakout junior season in 2004, earning second team All-Southeastern Conference honors after leading the Vols in batting average (.330) and on-base percentage (.416). He ranked third in the SEC and led UT in hit-by-pitches (16), collected 15 doubles, three homers and 32 RBIs. Suarez played in 59 games, making 45 total starts (43 at DH and two in RF). The junior was named the team's Steve Searcy Most Improved Player in 2004.
The 2005 season was certainly one to remember for the Vols. Tennessee posted a 46-21 overall record and behind future big-leaguers Luke Hochevar, Chase Headley, Julio Borbon and J.P. Arencibia made it to the College World Series in Omaha for the first time since 2001. Moving to first base, Suarez batted .245 with 13 doubles and 31 RBIs. He also led the team with an impressive 23 hit-by-pitch - the second most in UT single-season history. Suarez actually holds the Tennessee career record for total hit-by-pitch with 42, which he did in just three seasons. The senior also tied for the team high with 11 sacrifice bunts.
After graduating from UT in 2005, Suarez went undrafted in the 2005 MLB Draft. He was coming off three surgeries on three different areas of his right arm. However, the former Vol found his way back into baseball and currently serves as the Assistant Director, Player Development/International Scouting for the Chicago Cubs.
NOTES ON SUAREZ
- Full name is Alejandro Manuel Suarez
- Nickname is A.M.
- Graduated with a degree in political science
THE PRESENT...#16 Jacob Westphal
2015 Debut | RHP/OF | 6-0 | 195 lbs. | R/R | Sioux City, Iowa
With experience playing on both sides of the ball, true freshman and Iowa native Jacob Westphal brings another level of versatility to the Volunteers' squad in 2015. Listed as the No. 3 right-hander and the No. 4 overall prospect out of the state of Iowa by Perfect Game, Westphal looks to contribute as a valued member of Tennessee's pitching staff this year.
As a four-year letterman at Sioux City East High School, Westphal earned All-American and First Team All-District honors all four years. As a junior in 2013, he was one of only three Iowans invited to the Perfect Game National Showcase. Westphal went on to play for multiple, successful travel ball organizations and participated in the World Wood Bat Association World Championships prior to arriving on Rocky Top.
NOTES ON WESTPHAL
- Full name is Jacob Daniel Westphal
- Models himself after Major League great Derek Jeter
- Majoring in civil engineering
