University of Tennessee Athletics
Vol Baseball Countdown: 30 Days
January 20, 2016 | Baseball
TENNESSEE BASEBALL'S NO. 30
Players | Years
- Jack Bailey | 1983
- Todd Barnett | 2008
- David Curl | 1982 (Away)
- Chip Dill| 2015-current
- Bob Dillon | 1990
- Scot Drucker | 2003-04
- Dan Gorman | 1987-88
- Steven Gruver | 2009-11
- Brandt Hays | 1972 (Home)
- Tom Heming | 1991-92
- Coy Meadows | 1965-66
- Mike McConkey | 1977-78 (Away)
- Davis Morgan | 2012
- Bill Oden | 1974-75 (Away)
- Ty Pryor | 2006
- Casey Simpson | 1989
- Grey Strang | 1970 (Home)
- Carl Suter | 1972-73 (Away)
- Chad Troxel | 1993
- Mark Wylie | 1974 (Home)
Baseball Time in Tennessee is just 30 days away!
Throughout January and February, UTSports.com will count down the days leading up to the start of the Vols' 2016 campaign (Feb. 19) with a look back at the many players who donned each jersey No. 30 through No. 1.
For the second consecutive year, the Vols will open the season on the road, as Tennessee travels to Chattanooga, Tenn., to face Memphis for a three-game series (Feb. 19-20). The team will continue playing on the road in the Grand Canyon Classic (Feb. 26-28) before returning home to take on Cincinnati on Wednesday, March 2 in their home opener at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
The Big Orange takes to the road again for the Keith LeClair Classic in Greenville, N.C. (March 4-6), later returning to Knoxville for a home matchup against Western Kentucky on March 8. Before Tennessee baseball's home weekend series vs. UC Irvine on March 11-13, the Vols will also travel to Johnson City, Tenn. for a rubber match against ETSU (March 9).
The Orange & White will host SEC rival Ole Miss the following weekend (March 18-20) for the program's first home conference series. Additionally, Kentucky (April 1-3), Vanderbilt (April 22-24), Florida (May 6-8) and LSU (May 13-15) 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 18 of their 56 regular season games against eight 2015 NCAA postseason participants, including College World Series squads Vanderbilt, LSU and Florida.
A total of 19 Vols have worn No. 30 in Tennessee history, including right-handed pitcher Scot Drucker (2003-04) and Davis Morgan (pictured above). Here's a look at the pitching career of Drucker, who went on to play seven seasons of professional ball with the Oakland and Detroit organizations.
Looking Back...
#30 Scot Drucker
2003-04 | RHP | 6-1 | R/R | Miami, Fla.
Scot Drucker - forced to sit out the 2003 season after transferring from the University of Florida - played just one season for the Volunteers in 2004. The Big Orange roared out of the gates to a 29-5 record - the best start in program history - and Drucker had much to do with the success on the mound. He compiled an impressive 2.61 ERA and led the team with an 8-3 record. He finished the season with 65 strikeouts and a team-high five saves in 58.2 innings pitched. The Vols cooled down in 2004, but snapped a two-year postseason absence by reaching the NCAA Regional.
The righty was drafted in the 13th round of the 2004 MLB First-Year Draft by the Oakland Athletics and went on to play in the minors for the Vancouver Canadians, Kane County Cougars and Stockton Ports of the A's organization. He also played for the Erie SeaWolves (AA) and Toledo Mud Hens (AAA) of the Detroit Tigers organization in. Over eight professional seasons, he compiled 40 wins and 21 saves in 557.1 innings pitched.
He later returned to Rocky Top to complete his degree requirements through the Thornton Center's Renewing Academic Commitment program and is currently a MLBPA Certified Agent.
THROWBACK NOTES FROM HIS BIO
- Grandfather Bernard Sternback played in the Philadelphia Phillies organization
- Graduated from the Westminster Academy in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
- Majored in sport psychology
BY THE NUMBERS
30 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
