University of Tennessee Athletics
Friday, March 8
Knoxville, Tenn.
6 PM
University of Tennessee
vs
Illinois
BSB PREVIEW: #7/8 Vols Take On Illinois in Final Non-Conference Series
March 07, 2024 | Baseball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – In its final weekend series before the start of Southeastern Conference play, No. 7/8 Tennessee puts its 12-game winning streak on the line against Big Ten foe Illinois starting this Friday night at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
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The Vols are coming off a pair of midweek wins over Kansas State and Southern Indiana earlier this week and will look to remain unbeaten at home this season.
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
GAME 2: RHP Drew Beam (2-0, 2.16 ERA) vs. RHP Logan Tabeling (0-1, 5.40 ERA)
GAME 3: TBD vs. TBD
in Knoxville: Illinois leads, 2-0
in Champaign: N/A
at Neutral Sites: Illinois leads, 1-0
Last Meeting: L, 13-1 in Orlando, Fla. (2/27/93)
This weekend will mark the first meeting between the Vols and Fighting Illini since 1993. Illinois other two wins in the series came all the way back in 1912.
Tennessee continued its early season success with two more midweek victories earlier this week with wins over Kanas State (15-5) and Southern Indiana (2-1) to extend its winning streak to 12 games. Over the streak, the Vols have outscored their opponents 134-36 and have posted seven victories by 10 or more runs, including all three games of last weekend's sweep of Bowling Green. UT is averaging 11.2 runs per game during the streak, as well.
Dean's Record-Setting Night
Freshman infielder Dean Curley put together one of the best offensive performances in program history during Tennessee's 15-5 win over Kansas State on Tuesday. The California native became the sixth player and first freshman in program history to hit three home runs in a game and finished with a freshman record nine RBIs, one shy of tying the overall program record of 10 held by Joe Randa (April 23, 1991 vs. Louisville).
Curley hit a grand slam, a three-run homer, a two-run shot and came within mere feet of completing the home run cycle when he flew out to the wall in right field in his final at-bat. For the year, Curley ranks second on the team with six homers and 17 RBIs while seven of his eight hits have gone for extra bases (six HRs, one triple).
Burke & CMo Chasing Home Run Record
After hitting three homers in last weekend's series sweep of Bowling Green, junior slugger Blake Burke is just six home runs away from tying the program record held by his predecessor at first base, Luc Lipcius, who hit 40 during his UT career (218 games played). Burke's 34 career long balls have come in just 124 games played.
Fellow junior Christian Moore isn't far behind with 31 career homers of his own after hitting one in each of this week's wins over Kansas State and Southern Indiana to bring his season total to four.
MORE INFO
Game & Broadcast Info
- Opponents: Illinois Fighting Illini
- Dates: March 8-10
- Location: Knoxville, Tenn.
- Venue: Lindsey Nelson Stadium
- Watch: SEC Network+Â Â
- Listen: Vol Network
- Live Stats: UTSports.com
- Game 1: Friday, March 8 – 6 p.m. (SEC Network+)
- Game 2: Saturday, March 9 – 1 p.m. (SEC Network+)
- Game 3: Sunday, March 10 – 1 p.m. (SEC Network+)
#7/8 Tennessee (13-1 | 0-0 SEC)
Roster Schedule Stats NotesIllinois (5-6 | 0-0 Big Ten)
Roster Schedule Stats UT Baseball Record Book Tickets Gameday Central Follow @UTGameday Official Gameday App Buy Tennessee GearÂ
The Vols are coming off a pair of midweek wins over Kansas State and Southern Indiana earlier this week and will look to remain unbeaten at home this season.
PARKING ADVISORY & IMPORTANT INFO
Parking for Saturday's game will be heavily affected due to the men's basketball game against Kentucky at 4 p.m. Please read the info below in regard to baseball parking for that day.- All fans without a baseball permit will be asked to utilize the free parking at the UT Ag Campus and take the free shuttles which will drop off at the corner of Lake Loudoun Blvd. and Chamique Holdsclaw Dr.
- Shuttles will begin running at 11 a.m.
- Shuttles will pick up at the corner of Lake Loudoun and Chamique Holdsclaw following the conclusion of the game.
- Additional on-street parking may be available along West Volunteer Blvd. between the intersection of Volunteer Blvd., Todd Helton Dr. and Cumberland Ave.
- Any fans planning on attending Saturday's baseball game and staying for the men's basketball game should use their basketball parking permit and then walk to Lindsey Nelson Stadium and to Food City Center, thereafter.
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
The entire series will be streamed online on SEC Network+ and the ESPN app. Andy Brock (PxP) and VFL Cody Hawn (analyst) will be on the call for Friday's opener while Roger Hoover (PxP) will join Hawn for the final two games.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
GAME 1: RHP AJ Causey (2-0, 1.23 ERA) vs. RHP Jack Crowder (0-0, 7.07 ERA)GAME 2: RHP Drew Beam (2-0, 2.16 ERA) vs. RHP Logan Tabeling (0-1, 5.40 ERA)
GAME 3: TBD vs. TBD
SERIES HISTORY
Overall: Illinois leads, 3-0in Knoxville: Illinois leads, 2-0
in Champaign: N/A
at Neutral Sites: Illinois leads, 1-0
Last Meeting: L, 13-1 in Orlando, Fla. (2/27/93)
This weekend will mark the first meeting between the Vols and Fighting Illini since 1993. Illinois other two wins in the series came all the way back in 1912.
NOTABLE
Vols Streaking Into Weekend Series with Fighting IlliniTennessee continued its early season success with two more midweek victories earlier this week with wins over Kanas State (15-5) and Southern Indiana (2-1) to extend its winning streak to 12 games. Over the streak, the Vols have outscored their opponents 134-36 and have posted seven victories by 10 or more runs, including all three games of last weekend's sweep of Bowling Green. UT is averaging 11.2 runs per game during the streak, as well.
Dean's Record-Setting Night
Freshman infielder Dean Curley put together one of the best offensive performances in program history during Tennessee's 15-5 win over Kansas State on Tuesday. The California native became the sixth player and first freshman in program history to hit three home runs in a game and finished with a freshman record nine RBIs, one shy of tying the overall program record of 10 held by Joe Randa (April 23, 1991 vs. Louisville).
Curley hit a grand slam, a three-run homer, a two-run shot and came within mere feet of completing the home run cycle when he flew out to the wall in right field in his final at-bat. For the year, Curley ranks second on the team with six homers and 17 RBIs while seven of his eight hits have gone for extra bases (six HRs, one triple).
Burke & CMo Chasing Home Run Record
After hitting three homers in last weekend's series sweep of Bowling Green, junior slugger Blake Burke is just six home runs away from tying the program record held by his predecessor at first base, Luc Lipcius, who hit 40 during his UT career (218 games played). Burke's 34 career long balls have come in just 124 games played.
Fellow junior Christian Moore isn't far behind with 31 career homers of his own after hitting one in each of this week's wins over Kansas State and Southern Indiana to bring his season total to four.
OPPONENT SCOUT
Illinois Fighting Illini (5-6, 0-0 Big Ten)- Head Coach: Dan Hartleb (19th season)
- 2023 Record: 25-27 (12-12 Big Ten)
- 2023 Postseason: N/A
- 2024 Big Ten Preseason Poll: N/A
- Preseason All-Conference Selections (3)
- RHP Jack Crowder
- OF Ryan Moerman
- RHP Logan Tabeling
ON DECK
Tennessee wraps up its 15-game homestand with a midweek matchup against Eastern Kentucky on Tuesday, March 12 before opening up SEC play on the road at No. 13/15 Alabama next weekend in Tuscaloosa.
Players Mentioned
1B
/ Baseball
INF
/ Baseball
INF
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