University of Tennessee Athletics
BASEBALL CENTRAL: Tennessee at ETSU (March 9)
March 09, 2016 | Baseball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Volunteer Baseball Program (7-4) takes to the road on Wednesday, March 9, visiting the East Tennessee State Buccaneers (7-5) for a midweek matchup at Thomas Stadium, with first pitch slated for 6 p.m. ET in Johnson City, Tenn.
More Info
Tennessee vs. ETSU Gameday
- Opponent: East Tennessee State Buccaneers
- Date: Wednesday, March 9, 2016
- First Pitch: 6 p.m. ET
- Venue: Thomas Stadium (Johnson City, Tenn.)
- Radio: UTSports.com
- Video Stream: SoCon Digital Network
Tennessee (7-4)
Roster Schedule StatsETSU (7-5)
Roster Schedule StatsThe Volunteers look to continue a two-game win streak over the Bucs, having won their home and road contests against the in-state rival last season. In their last meeting on April 21, 2015, the Vols recorded a season-high 18 hits and four home runs en route to a 14-7 win at Thomas Stadium.
Despite Tennessee's all-time advantage in the ETSU series, the Bucs have managed to even the scales in recent years. Over their past 12 games since 2008, ETSU owns a 7-5 record including a 4-2 mark in games played in Johnson City.
Wednesday's game marks the first streamed broadcast of the season on the SoCon Digital Network, with Jay Sandos handling play-by-play duties along with color analyst Parker Schwartz.
Tennessee vs. ETSU All-Time
- Overall vs. ETSU: UT leads, 60-16
- In Johnson City: UT leads, 26-9
- In Knoxville: UT leads, 34-7
- Last Meeting: Vols won, 14-7, in Johnson City (4/21/15)
- Current Streak: Tennessee has won two games (since 3/10/15)
Scouting the Bucs
East Tennessee State heads into Wednesday's competition with a current three-game win streak, having taken two of three games vs. Purdue last weekend and a staggering 17-5 midweek win over North Carolina A&T on Tuesday night. Through 12 games this season, the Bucs are 6-4 at home and begin their 2016 campaign playing 18 of their first 20 games at home in Johnson City.
After finishing the 2015 season with a 21-35 record under Head Coach Tony Skole, ETSU returns the core of its offense in key hitters Trey York, Hagen Owenby (brother of former Volunteer Drake Owenby), Kevin Phillips, Chris Chook and Jeremy Taylor. These returners also serve as anchors for the Bucs' defense, holding leadership roles in the outfield, infield and catcher positions.
On the mound, ETSU boasts a roster of 17 pitchers including five transfers in 2016. Redshirt junior Peyton Taylor leads the squad in appearances, posting a 2-0 record with one save and a 1.86 ERA over seven games in relief for the Bucs.
Vols on the Charts
Entering games this week, Tennessee ranked tied for third in the NCAA with the most double plays turned (16). Within the SEC, UT infielders Nick Senzel (9 - T-7th), Jeff Moberg (12 - 2nd) and Jordan Rodgers (14 - 1st) currently rank in the Top 10 for most double plays fielded this year.
Several Volunteers also rank among the SEC's Top 10 in offensive categories:
- Chris Hall - .415 average (10th)
- Jeff Moberg - 18 runs scored (2nd), five doubles (T-9th)
- Jordan Rodgers - 20 RBI (2nd), two triples (T-5th)
- Nick Senzel - 17 runs scored (T-3rd), 17 RBI (8th), six doubles (T-3rd), six stolen bases (T-7th)
- Vincent Jackson - three home runs (T-4th), five HBP (T-3rd)
Through three weeks of play, Tennessee currently sits in sixth place in the SEC Eastern Division (7-4, .636).
About Last Night...
The Volunteers struggled to find a rhythm on Tuesday night, as the visiting Western Kentucky Hilltoppers capitalized on an early lead and ran away with a 6-0 victory over UT at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
The Volunteers combined for five hits against the Hilltoppers, led by senior Chris Hall (2-for-4). Second baseman Jeff Moberg (1-for-3), first baseman Jordan Rodgers (1-for-3) and freshman catcher Sean Skelly (1-for-1) each contributed base hits in the Vols' effort.
In his second start of the year for the Volunteers, Vasquez surrendered four runs (two earned) on six hits over 2.2 innings pitched. Righthander Eric Freeman entered in the third and worked 2.2 innings before UT used Zach Reid (0.1), Will Neely (1.0) and Richard Jackson (2.1) in relief.
The 2016 Volunteers
Among the 34 active members of this year's squad, the Volunteers are led by eight seniors, marking the most on a UT Baseball roster since 2004 (also eight). On the pitching staff, seniors Andy Cox and Steven Kane look to provide a veteran presence, while the 2016 lineup is scattered with senior experience from infielders Jeff Moberg and Jared Pruett, catcher Tyler Schultz and outfielders Vincent Jackson, Chris Hall and Derek Lance.
This year, Tennessee also welcomes 11 newcomers to Rocky Top, including four junior college transfers and seven true freshmen. Among the new faces making an immediate impact are starting shortstop Max Bartlett (Gulf Coast State), right-handed closer Jon Lipinski (Palm Beach State) and designated hitter Daniel Neal, who was voted Mr. Kentucky Baseball as a senior at South Laurel High School (Ky.) in 2015.
On Deck for the Vols
The Volunteers return to Rocky Top and prepare to host UC Irvine in their first home weekend series from Friday, March 11 - Sunday, March 13 at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
