Baseball Central: Tennessee vs. George Washington

February 27, 2020 | Baseball

Watch (SECN+)Listen (UTSports.com)Live Stats Tickets (AllVols.com)UT Game Notes

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 19 Tennessee will look to keep things rolling as the Vols continue their 10-game homestand with a weekend series against George Washington at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

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Game & Broadcast Info

Opponent: George Washington Colonials
Dates: Feb. 28 – March 1
Location: Knoxville, Tenn.
Venue: Lindsey Nelson Stadium (4,283)
Watch: WatchESPN
Listen: UTSports.com
Live Stats: UTSports.com
Game 1: Friday, Feb. 28 – 4 p.m. (SECN+)
Game 2: Saturday, Feb. 29 – 3 p.m. (SECN+)
Game 3: Sunday, March 1 – 1 p.m. (SECN+)
Tickets: AllVols.com

No. 19 Tennessee Volunteers (9-0)

Roster Schedule Stats

George Washington Colonials (6-2)

Roster Schedule Stats

The Big Orange are coming off two dominant midweek wins over Northern Kentucky and UNC Asheville , outscoring the Norse and Bulldogs by a combined score of 27-2.

Weekend Broadcast Info
All three games this weekend will be streamed live on SEC Network+ and the ESPN app. Michael Wottreng (PxP) and Charlie Puleo (color) will call the games on Friday and Sunday while Andy Brock will handle play-by-play duties with Puleo for Saturday's contest.

Fans can also listen to the entire series for free on UTSports.com.

Due to weather, there is a chance that Saturday's game time could be moved to earlier in the day. Updates will be posted to UTSports.com and on the Tennessee baseball Twitter account (@Vol_Baseball).

Projected Starting Pitchers

Game 1: RHP Chad Dallas (2 GS, 2-0, 1.80 ERA) vs. RHP Harrison Cohen (2 GS, 1-0, 3.18 ERA)
Game 2: RHP Chase Wallace (2 GS, 1-0, 2.70 ERA) vs. RHP Justin Solt (2 GS, 0-1, 3.46 ERA)
Game 3: TBD vs. RHP Elliott Raimo (2 GS, 2-0, 0.96 ERA)

Series History vs. George Washington
Overall: First Meeting
In Knoxville: N/A
In Washington, DC: N/A
Neutral Sites: N/A
Last Meeting: N/A

Notable
Pitching on Point
Much like last season, the Tennessee pitching staff is off to a fantastic start. The Vols enter this weekend ranked among the top 10 nationally in ERA (6^th – 1.56), hits allowed per nine innings (9^th – 5.33), shutouts (9^th – 2), strikeout-to-walk ratio (6^th – 5.26), WHIP (5^th – 0.83) and walks allowed per nine innings (10^th – 2.11).

UT's bullpen has been a major factor in the team's early success, holding opposing hitters to a paltry .147 batting average while posting a 0.81 ERA. Tennessee's relievers have struck out 51 batters and issued just six walks in 44.1 innings.

Starting Fast
The Vols have made a habit of getting off to fast starts and building early leads this season. UT has scored in either the first or second inning in all nine of its games this season and has outscored its opposition 27-1 over the first two innings of games.

Lots of Dingers
Tennessee hitters have been crushing balls out of the park at an incredible rate so far this season. The Vols' 16 home runs through nine games rank second in the country, trailing Ole Miss by just one homer. Ten different players have gone yard for the Big Orange this season and UT has hit multiple home runs in seven of its nine games this year, including every home game.

Kings of Round Rock
Tennessee won last weekend's inaugural Round Rock Classic in dominant fashion, outscoring its three opponents 21-8, including two wins over ranked teams in No.1 Texas Tech and No. 25 Stanford. The Vols led all teams with five players on the all-tournament team: Zach Daniels (Tournament MVP), Jake Rucker, Connor Pavolony, Jordan Beck and Jackson Leath.

Opponent Scout
George Washington Colonials (6-2)

2019 Record: 30-24 (11-13 Atlantic 10)
2019 Postseason: N/A
Head Coach: Gregg Ritchie (8^th season) // Has led the Colonials to three straight seasons of at least 30 wins.
The Colonials were picked to finish eighth in the Atlantic 10 Preseason Coaches' Poll.
GWU returns 22 letterwinners, including six starting position players and 13 pitchers from last year's team.
The Colonials have won four straight games after a weekend series win over Marist and back-to-back midweek victories over UMB and Coppin State.
GWU is led by sophomore second baseman Noah Levin, who was named the 2019 A10 Rookie of the Year and earned Collegiate Baseball Newspaper Freshman All-America honors last season after batting .305 with 43 RBI.
Levin enters this weekend as the team lead in batting average (.360) and RBI (eight).
Projected Sunday starter Elliott Raimo is 2-0 and has been lights out on the mound with a 0.96 ERA and nine strikeouts over his two starts.

Game Promotions
Upcoming promotions for all Tennessee athletics home events can be found on the UT Fan Experience page by clicking HERE.

ALL SERIES

Knox and Surrounding Counties School Day: Free general admission ticket with the donation of two school supply items.

FRIDAY

Free Food Friday: First 100 fans receive a free cup of Petros chili | First 75 students will get free Chick-fil-A

SATURDAY

BASEketball: Free admission to the baseball game if you show your men's basketball ticket for the game versus Florida.

SUNDAY

Kids Day: All kids 12 and under receive free admission. Run the bases and get postgame autographs from select players (weather permitting).
- First 50 kids in attendance will receive a free Kids Combo meal

On Deck
Following this weekend's series, the Vols welcome Longwood to Lindsey Nelson Stadium on Tuesday, March 3. First pitch is slated for 6 p.m.

Gameday/Stadium Policies & Information
All of the information listed below and more can be found on the Tennessee Baseball Gameday Information page HERE.

Parking
Baseball parking is located primarily in Lots GF3, GF4, and S23 at the Haslam Music Center. Lots C1, C22 and G16 are available only on dates that Thompson-Boling Arena and Neyland Stadium have no scheduled events. (The G16 garage will not be available for parking on Friday or Saturday this weekend)

Additional street parking is located in C10 along Todd Helton Drive and Chamique Holdsclaw Drive, as well as along West Volunteer Blvd.

Parking for MVP ticket holders is located in Lots GF1 and GF2.

Handicap parking is located in marked handicap spaces on Pat Head Summitt Street and in the G16 Volunteer Blvd garage.

Beer Sales Policy
New this season, beer will be sold at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. Protocol for beer sales will be consistent with all other on-campus venues that have sold alcohol this season.

For more information, click HERE.

Clear Bag Policy
In an effort 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. Gates will open until 90 minutes prior to game time.