University of Tennessee Athletics
Tuesday, March 19
Knoxville, Tenn.
6 PM
University of Tennessee
vs
Xavier
BSB PREVIEW: #7/8 Vols Return Home for Midweek Clash with Musketeers
March 18, 2024 | Baseball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Following a hard-fought road series at Alabama to open SEC play last weekend, No. 7/8 Tennessee returns to the friendly confines of Lindsey Nelson Stadium for four home games this week, starting with a Tuesday midweek tilt against Xavier.
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The Vols will look to get back in the win column following back-to-back losses in Tuscaloosa after winning the series opener 11-3 on Friday night.
If you're a season ticket holder and can't make it to a baseball game this season, you now have the option to donate your non-conference tickets. Your tickets will be donated back to Tennessee Athletics and will be distributed to the military and/or local charities in the Knoxville area.
All non-conference ticket donations will be accepted until 5 PM the business day before a game. After donating your tickets a gift receipt equal to the ticket value will be emailed to you. You may save that receipt for your tax records.Â
Fans can also listen to John Wilkerson and Vince Ferrara call the action on the Vol Network (FM 99.1/AM 990). A free audio stream will also be available on UTSports.com, the Tennessee Athletics App and the Varsity App. Â
in Knoxville: Tennessee leads, 5-1
in Cincinnati: N/A
at Neutral Sites: Tennessee leads, 1-0
Last Meeting: W, 10-1 – April 26, 2022 in Knoxville
After dropping the first ever meeting in the series back in 1965, UT has reeled off six consecutive wins against the Musketeers.
Tennessee has been dominant against non-conference opponents since the start of the 2019 season, posting a 137-24 record in that span. UT went 29-6 against non-SEC foes during the 2023 season, including a 5-1 mark in the postseason, and is 17-1 against such opponents this year.
The Vols have not lost a regular-season non-conference weekend series since 2020 (Wright State) and have swept 14 of their 16 regular-season non-conference weekend series since 2020. UT has swept all three of its home weekend series this season. Under head coach Tony Vitello, Tennessee is an impressive 70-10 overall in midweek games.
Record Chasers
The Vols have two players within striking distance of the program's career home run record of 40 held by Luc Lipcius. Blake Burke enters this week with 37 career homers after hitting one in last weekend's series at Alabama. The junior from Brentwood, California is tied for fourth in program history with Doug Hecker (1990-92).
Fellow junior Christian Moore is tied for seventh in UT history with 34 career jacks after homering in Saturday's contest against the Crimson Tide.
Vols Remain in Top 10
Despite dropping their first series of the year, the Vols held steady in the top 10 of this week's D1Baseball.com rankings, coming in at No. 8. They are also ranked No. 7 in the USA Today Coaches Poll.
MORE INFO
Game & Broadcast Info
- Opponents: Xavier Musketeers
- Date / Time: Tuesday, March 19 / 6 p.m.
- Location: Knoxville, Tenn.    Â
- Venue: Lindsey Nelson Stadium
- Watch: SEC Network+Â Â Â Â Â
- Listen: Vol Network
- Live Stats: UTSports.com
#7/8 Tennessee (18-3 | 1-2 SEC)
Roster Schedule Stats NotesXavier (9-11 | 0-0 BIG EAST)
Roster Schedule Stats Notes UT Baseball Record Book Tickets Gameday Central Follow @UTGameday Official Gameday App Buy Tennessee GearÂ
The Vols will look to get back in the win column following back-to-back losses in Tuscaloosa after winning the series opener 11-3 on Friday night.
TICKET INFORMATION
Limited single-game tickets for non-conference home games can be purchased through AllVols.com.If you're a season ticket holder and can't make it to a baseball game this season, you now have the option to donate your non-conference tickets. Your tickets will be donated back to Tennessee Athletics and will be distributed to the military and/or local charities in the Knoxville area.
All non-conference ticket donations will be accepted until 5 PM the business day before a game. After donating your tickets a gift receipt equal to the ticket value will be emailed to you. You may save that receipt for your tax records.Â
NEED TO KNOW ABOUT LINDSEY NELSON STADIUM
As we prepare for the next phase in renovations, please pardon our progress... and our dust. Once completed, Lindsey Nelson Stadium will offer fans an unrivaled experience and be among the nation's finest college baseball venues. We appreciate your support and patience when you enter Lindsey Nelson Stadium this season. Please be advised changes may occur from game to game.BROADCAST INFO
Tuesday's game will be streamed on SEC Network+ and the ESPN app with Zack Nelson (PxP) and Caylan Arnold (analyst) on the call.Fans can also listen to John Wilkerson and Vince Ferrara call the action on the Vol Network (FM 99.1/AM 990). A free audio stream will also be available on UTSports.com, the Tennessee Athletics App and the Varsity App. Â
PROJECTED STARTING PITCHERS
LHP Zander Sechrist (0-0, 4.05 ERA) vs. RHP Jonathan Kelly (0-0, 3.65 ERA)SERIES HISTORY
Overall: Tennessee leads, 6-1in Knoxville: Tennessee leads, 5-1
in Cincinnati: N/A
at Neutral Sites: Tennessee leads, 1-0
Last Meeting: W, 10-1 – April 26, 2022 in Knoxville
After dropping the first ever meeting in the series back in 1965, UT has reeled off six consecutive wins against the Musketeers.
NOTABLE
Non-Conference Success and Midweek DominanceTennessee has been dominant against non-conference opponents since the start of the 2019 season, posting a 137-24 record in that span. UT went 29-6 against non-SEC foes during the 2023 season, including a 5-1 mark in the postseason, and is 17-1 against such opponents this year.
The Vols have not lost a regular-season non-conference weekend series since 2020 (Wright State) and have swept 14 of their 16 regular-season non-conference weekend series since 2020. UT has swept all three of its home weekend series this season. Under head coach Tony Vitello, Tennessee is an impressive 70-10 overall in midweek games.
Record Chasers
The Vols have two players within striking distance of the program's career home run record of 40 held by Luc Lipcius. Blake Burke enters this week with 37 career homers after hitting one in last weekend's series at Alabama. The junior from Brentwood, California is tied for fourth in program history with Doug Hecker (1990-92).
Fellow junior Christian Moore is tied for seventh in UT history with 34 career jacks after homering in Saturday's contest against the Crimson Tide.
Vols Remain in Top 10
Despite dropping their first series of the year, the Vols held steady in the top 10 of this week's D1Baseball.com rankings, coming in at No. 8. They are also ranked No. 7 in the USA Today Coaches Poll.
OPPONENT SCOUT
Xavier Musketeers (9-11, 0-0 BIG EAST)- Head Coach: Billy O'Conner (7th season)
- 2023 Record: 39-25 (14-7 BIG EAST)
- 2023 Postseason: NCAA Nashville Regional (2-2)
- 2024 BIG EAST Preseason Poll: 2nd
- Preseason All-Conference Selections (4):
- 1B Matt McCormick
- 2B Jared Cushing
- 3B Grant Stephenson
- RHP Luke Hoskins
ON DECK
Tennessee hosts its first conference series this season as the Ole Miss Rebels come to town this weekend. Friday's series opener is slated for a 6:30 p.m. first pitch. Saturday's contest will start at 6 p.m. and Sunday's finale is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. All three games will be streamed online on SEC Network+ and the ESPN app.
Players Mentioned
BSB | Tennessee Super Regional Postgame Presser at Arkansas (6.8.25)
Sunday, June 08
BSB | Tennessee Super Regional Postgame Presser at Arkansas (6.7.25)
Saturday, June 07
BSB | Tennessee Official Super Regional Preview Press Conference (6.6.25)
Friday, June 06
BSB | Tony Vitello Pre-NCAA Super Regional Media Availability (6.5.25)
Thursday, June 05
