University of Tennessee Athletics
Vol Baseball Countdown: 7 Days
February 06, 2015 | Baseball
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Baseball Time in Tennessee is just seven days away!
UTSports.com is counting 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.
Twenty-five Vols have worn the No. 7 for the Orange and White, with sophomore and Memphis native Jordan Rodgers officially reclaiming the jersey in just one week's time. Not too long ago the number belonged to Collierville, Tenn., native Andy Simunic. He came to UT in 2007 and played his junior and senior years with the Volunteers.
THE PAST...#7 Andy Simunic
2007-08 | OF/INF | 6-0 | 170 lbs. | Collierville, Tenn. (Collierville HS)
A 2004 graduate of Collierville High School, Andy Simunic joined the Volunteers after playing two seasons at Chattanooga State Technical Community College. He proved to be the most versatile player on the roster and one of UT's top offensive threats in his first season. He led the team in hitting for much of the season - finishing with a .333 average - and started at five different positions. Simunic posted a team-best 75 hits, 12 doubles 27 RBIs and 29 stolen bases to lead the Southeastern Conference. He hit .325 in SEC play with 37 hits, seven RBIs and nine steals. In the SEC Tournament, Simunic has two hits and scored twice as UT defeated No. 1 Vanderbilt.
Simunic earned the team's Steve Searcy Most Improved Player Award and the Phil Garner Defensive Player Award in 2007.
Simunic transitioned to second base out of necessity in 2008, starting all 48 games he appeared at the position. He once again led the Vols on the bases, stealing 20 bags to up his two-year total to an impressive 49. He also helped the Vols turn 32 of UT's 53 double plays on the season. Simunic finished with a .297 batting average with eight RBIs and nine doubles.
The Tennesean was drafted by the Houston Astros in the 17th round of the 2008 MLB Draft and is entering his eighth season of professional baseball in 2015. Simunic worked his way up the Houston organization and over the past four seasons played in 93 games for the Triple-A Oklahoma City RedHawks. In 2014, the outfielder hit .263 for OKC, driving in 10 runs on 25 hits in 30 games before moving to the Atlanta Braves organization.
NOTES ON SIMUNIC
- Majored in sociology/criminal justice at UT
- Graduated from Collierville High School in Collierville, Tenn.
- Born Aug. 7, 1985, in Bloomington, Ind.
THE PRESENT...#7 Jordan Rodgers
2014 | INF | 6-1 | 185 lbs. | R/R | Memphis, Tenn. (Memphis University School)
Entering his second season on Rocky Top, sophomore Jordan Rodgers will look to carry his successful summer campaign and rookie season into 2015 with Tennessee. As a freshman, the Memphis native played in 11 games for the Vols, including five starts. As a member of the Alaska Baseball League's Matsu Miners last summer, Rodgers hit .265 with seven doubles and 14 RBI in 32 games, earning ABL All-Star honors and helping the team to the ABL Championship.
As a two sport athlete for Memphis University School, Rodgers led the Owls' baseball team to regional championships in 2001 and 2012, finishing as the state runner-up both seasons. He also helped guide the football team to a 2010 state championships and finished as the Tennessee Division-II-AA state runner-ups in 2012. He was named a Mr. Football finalist in the state of Tennessee and tabbed the regional player of the year in 2012 for his performance on the gridiron. He threw for an impressive 2,851 yards, 35 touchdowns and just five interceptions while leading the Owls to a 10-3 record as a senior.
On the diamond, Rodgers was ranked by Perfect Game as the No. 4 shortstop and the 34th-best overall prospect in the state of Tennessee. He earned PG Southeast Region Honorable Mention honors in 2013 and was an Underclass Honorable Mention All-American in 2012. He batted .345 with eight homer and went 6-2 on the mount as a senior and hit .344 with five home runs and an 8-2 pitching mark as a junior. Rodgers was named all-metro and second team all-state as a senior, as well as a Commercial Appeal Best of the Preps finalist.
NOTES ON RODGERS
- Full name is Jordan Taylor Rodgers
- Models himself after recently-retired New York Yankee Derek Jeter
- Majoring in business finance
