University of Tennessee Athletics
Vol Baseball Countdown: 8 Days
February 05, 2015 | Baseball
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Baseball Time in Tennessee is just eight 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.
Just 20 Vols have worn the No. 8 for the Orange and White. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the No. 8 belonged to speedy outfielder Ronnie Hartsfield. The Lawrenceburg, Tenn., native left UT as the program's leader in career hits, stolen bases and runs scored.
THE PAST...#8 Ronnie Hartsfield
1978-81 | OF | 5-9 | 185 lbs. | Lawrenceburg, Tenn. (Lawrence County)
A graduate of Lawrence County High School, Ronnie Hartsfield joined the Vols on the diamond for his freshman season in 1978. The 5-foot-9, 185-pound outfielder could cover all sorts of ground in center field, where he started for three seasons. Hartsfield made the move to shortstop his senior year at UT.
While on Rocky Top, Hartsfield recorded a .351 career batting average and had an impressive 55 stolen bases. When he left the program following the 1981 season he led the Tennessee record books in career hits (237), stolen bases (55), runs scored (57) and singles (180). Those records have all since been broken.
Hartsfield hit .355 in his first season, a mark that ranks fourth all-time by a freshmen. In his senior campaign Hartsfield worked his average up to a team-best .362. He earned SEC All-Eastern Division honors in 1978 and 1981.
Hartsfield also totaled eight home runs, 93 RBIs, 41 doubles and eight triples over his career.
He was named one of 26 members of the Tennessee Baseball All-Century Team in 2009, and given a Certificate of Achievement and named a hometown hero by the Mayor of Lawrenceburg.
NOTES ON HARTSFIELD
- 1978 & 1981 All-SEC Eastern Division honoree
- Led the team with 63 hits in 1979
- Stole 21 bases in 1979
