Softball Central: No. 6/7 Tennessee vs. No. 20/18 Kentucky

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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The No. 6/7 Lady Vols softball team hosts its last home series of the regular season when it welcomes No. 20/18 Kentucky to Sherri Parker Lee Stadium for a three-game stand beginning Friday night.

Tennessee (40-9, 10-8 SEC) looks to build off the success of last weekend when it won two of three games at Alabama. Before the first pitch on Saturday, UT will recognize the careers of Sheridan Allen, Scarlet McSwain, CJ McClain and Meghan Gregg as part of senior day.

The Wildcats (28-15, 5-12 SEC) will try to get back on the winning track this weekend after dropping two of three last week against Georgia.

GAME TIMES AND BROADCAST INFO

Opponent: Kentucky Wildcats
Venue: Sherri Parker Lee Stadium
Game 1: Friday, April 27 – 6 p.m. ET (Watch)
Game 2: Saturday, April 28 – 2 p.m. ET (Watch)
Game 3: Sunday, April 29 – 1:30 p.m. ET (Watch)
TV/Stream: Each game will be broadcasted on SEC Network+ (WatchESPN)
Radio: WMNL AM 990/UTSports.com
Live Stats: UTSports.com

Broadcast Info
All three games will be broadcasted on SEC Network+, with Mick Gillispie on the call for play-by-play. Allison Fulmer will join as the color analyst on Friday's game before handing off the duties to Madison Shipman for Saturday and Sunday.

Brain Rice will also be calling the game for radio on Sports Ratio WNML (AM 990) and UTSports.com.

Series History vs. Kentucky
Overall: Tennessee leads 44-14
In Knoxville: Tennessee leads 20-5
In Lexington: Tennessee leads 21-8
Neutral Site: Series tied 1-1
Last Meeting: W, 9-4 (April 9, 2017)

The Lady Vols carry a seven-game winning streak over the Wildcats into the weekend. UT last lost to Kentucky on May 8, 2014, in the SEC Tournament in Columbia, S.C.

NEED TO KNOW

Senior Meghan Gregg is third in the SEC with a team-leading 14 home runs this season. Gregg also has 53 home runs in her career, the most in Tennessee program history.
Gregg and Chelsea Seggern are ranked third and fourth in the nation in RBIs this season with 60 and 58, respectively.
Aubrey Leach leads the SEC in batting avg. (.451), runs scored (65) and on base pct (.578). She also ranks high in the NCAA in on base percentage (6th), batting average (10th) and hits (T-9th).
Tennessee's pitching staff leads the SEC in saves (8) and is third in the conference in batters struck out looking (85).
The Lady Vols are 11-8 vs. ranked foes this year with wins over Arizona State, Utah, Oklahoma State, Oregon, Georgia, Auburn, LSU and Alabama.
Tennessee has recorded 313 strikeouts this season, which is fourth in the SEC.
Tennessee was ranked No. 7 in the NFCA Preseason Coaches' Poll and No. 10 in the USA Softball Preseason Top 25.
Pitcher Caylan Arnold is third in the SEC in strikeouts 185 on the season. Arnold's total is also good for 24th in the nation.
Matty Moss leads the conference with five saves this season.

OPPONENT SCOUT
Kentucky Wildcats

Record: 28-15 (5-12 SEC)
2017 Postseason: NCAA Super Regionals
Picked to finish eighth in the SEC Preseason Coaches' Poll
Led by Rachel Lawson, who is in her 14th year as a head coach and 11th with Kentucky.
The Wildcats have stolen 59 bases this year, good for third most in the SEC.
Bailey Vick leads the Wildcats with a .405 batting average.
Kentucky is fueled by a well-balanced offense, as Katie Reed leads the team in hits and runs scored while Abbey Cheek leads in home runs, RBIs, and slugging percentage.
Cheek's 35 career home runs are the second most among active Division 1 Juniors in the Power Five.
In the circle, freshman Grace Baalman leads the Wildcats with a 2.23 ERA and 78 strikeouts.

What's Next?
The Lady Vols will finish off the regular season with a road series at Mississippi State next weekend. Game 1 will take place on Friday, May 4, at 7:30 p.m. ET.

TRAFFIC UPDATED
In an effort to improve traffic flow leaving Sherri Parker Lee Stadium, all fans departing this weekend's Tennessee-Georgia games will be required to go west on Neyland Drive. Officers will be continuously directing cars to only turn right from Joan Cronan Way.

GAMEDAY/STADIUM POLICIES & INFORMATION

Clear Bag Policy
In order to enhance safety and expedite fan entry at Tennessee athletic events, UT has implemented a clear bag policy at Lindsey Nelson Stadium and all other athletic facilities. Only one clear bag no larger than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches (gallon size) per person is permitted. Fans are also allowed a small clutch purse not exceeding 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches.

Other Info
All of the information listed above and more can be found on the Tennessee Softball Gameday Information page HERE.

University of Tennessee Athletics

Softball Central: No. 6/7 Tennessee vs. No. 20/18 Kentucky

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Players Mentioned

Sheridan Allen

Meghan Gregg

CJ McClain

Scarlet McSwain

Matty Moss

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