University of Tennessee Athletics
2017 Vol Baseball Countdown: 9 Days
February 08, 2017 | Baseball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Baseball Time in Tennessee is just nine 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. 9
- 2017 | Justin Ammons
- 1992 | Larry Anderson
- 1999 | Brian Baker
- 1976 (Home) | Jay Bass
- 1989-91 | Mike Basse
- 2000-2001 | Kris Bennett
- 2012-2016 | Coach Greg Bergeron
- 1975 | Hal Bibee
- 1969 (Home) | Don Campbell
- 1982 | Ted Carson
- 1969-70 (Home) | Wendell Clowers
- 1971-74 | Jimmy Elliott
- 2008 | Aaron Everett
- 1988 | Robert Gaddy
- 1980 | Mike Graham
- 2009-10 | Matt Hamaker
- 1979 (Home) | Tim Harvey
- 2002-03 | Chris Heath
- 2004-05 | Eli Lorg
- 2006-07 | Ryan Jones
- 1993-96 | Ed Lewis
- 1970 (Away) | Steve Long
- 1978 (Home) | Mike McConkey
- 1967 | Jeff Meizlik
- 1983-86 | Greg Newsom
- 2011 | Chris Pierce
- 2016 | Zach Reid
- 1976 (Away) | Gary Rivers
- 1997-98 | Justin Ross
- 1981 | Dan Rudder
- 1987 | Joel Smith
Need to Know
Later this month, 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: 9 Days
In 2017, freshman outfielder Justin Ammons will be the 31st Vol to wear No. 9 in Tennessee history.
The graduate of Bartlett High School in Memphis, Tenn., Ammons was a 2016 Rawlings-Perfect Game Honorable Mention All-America, while also earning Southeast All-Region Second Team accolades as a senior for the Panthers’ baseball squad. He maintained a batting average of .400-or-higher in all four seasons at Bartlett, including a .496 average as a junior in 2015. In each of his last three seasons of high school ball, he posted at least four home runs and 37 stolen bases.
During his sophomore and junior years, Ammons was named First Team All-State and All-Metro, as well as 2015 District Player of the Year. Prior to his arrival on Rocky Top, he was ranked as the No. 2 outfielder and the No. 12 overall player in the state of Tennessee by Perfect Game reports. He was also tabbed the No. 106 outfielder in the nation by the same outlet.
Getting to Know Justin
2017 | OF | 5-10 | L/R | Memphis, Tenn.
Fun Fact: M&Ms are my favorite candy.
Favorite Home-Cooked Meal: Mac and cheese
Hobbies Outside of Baseball: Eating wings and playing 2K
Something ALWAYS in Your Travel Bag: Gaming system
Favorite Vacation Spot: Six Flags. Anywhere.
If you were stranded on an island, what teammate would you want with you and why?: Eric Freeman. The man is funny and he would at least keep me occupied.
Next On the Countdown
Stop by tomorrow as we continue our countdown by getting to know fellow freshman and Miami native Brandon Chinea at No. 8.
BY THE NUMBERS
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