Feb. 13, 2017

2017 Schedule

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Baseball Time in Tennessee is just 4 days away! To count down to the start of the 2017 season, UTSports.com will profile a player each day on the Vols' 2017 squad. The countdown continues today and will run up until UT’s season opener on February 17 against Memphis at FedEx Park.

TENNESSEE BASEBALL'S NO. 4

1976-77 | Ted Arpin
2003-04 | Jack Branston
2017 | Jay Charleston
1987-88 | Marc DelPiano
1999 | Todd Fox
1966-67 | David Greene
1990 | Doug Hecker
1981 | Brent Hestand
1983-84 | Ronny Long
1989 | Shawn McDonnell
1969 | Mike Mondelli
1996-97 | Baker Moore
2006-09 | Michael Moore
2016-2017 | Jared Pruitt
2005 | Jonathan Rapavi
2000-02 | Hunter Rigsby
1991 | Coleman Smith
2010 | Zeth Stone
1993-94 | Adam Swallows
1974-75 | Rodney Woods
2012-15 | Parker Wormsley
19878-80 | Barry Wright

Need to Know

In February, Tennessee will travel to Memphis to open their 2017 season with a three-game set (Feb. 17-19) against the University of Memphis at FedEx Park, home of the Tigers. The Big Orange then heads west during their second week of the season for a single-game matchup at Loyola Marymount in Los Angeles, Calif. (Feb. 22) before travelling to San Diego to participate in the Tony Gwynn Classic on Feb. 24-26.

Following the four-game stint in California, the Volunteers will return to Knoxville for their first home series of the season on March 3-5. The series also signifies the first-ever meeting between Norfolk State and UT.

The Orange & White open their 2017 Southeastern Conference schedule with the South Carolina Gamecocks in Knoxville on March 17-19, marking the second consecutive year for UT to begin conference play at home. Tennessee later plays host to SEC rivals Georgia (March 31-April 2), Auburn (April 13-15) and Arkansas (May 4-6) before closing out regular season play against Missouri (May 18-20) at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

This year, the Volunteers' SEC road schedule includes trips to Mississippi State (March 24-26), Florida (April 7-9), Texas A&M (April 21-23), Vanderbilt (April 28-30) and Kentucky (May 12-14).

On the season, the Volunteers, led by Head Coach Dave Serrano and his staff, are scheduled to play 15 of their 55 regular season games against five 2016 NCAA postseason participants, including 2016 SEC Tournament Champion Texas A&M.

Countdown to Baseball: 4 Days

Freshman Jay Charleston will be the 22nd Vol to wear No. 4 in Tennessee history.

Charleston graduated from Lake Brantley where he led them to back-to-back District Championships in 2015 and 2016. Charleston compiled a 20-5 record as a senior and was tabbed the No. 28 second baseman and the 202nd overall player in the State of Florida by Perfect Game.

As a junior, Charleston hit .320 and scored 20 runs while driving in nine RBI and amassing 17 stolen bases. He was named the District Player of the Year in 2015 and was named to the All-SAC First Team in 2016.