University of Tennessee Athletics
Friday, April 12
Knoxville, Tenn.
7:30 PM
University of Tennessee
vs
LSU
BSB PREVIEW: #4 Vols Host Defending National Champion LSU on Rocky Top
April 11, 2024 | Baseball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – With three straight series wins in the rearview, No. 4/4 Tennessee will look to keep its run of SEC success going this weekend when it takes on the defending national champion LSU Tigers at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
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The Vols enter this weekend's showdown having lost just two games all season at home, boasting a 22-2 record overall in Knoxville.
Single-game tickets for all games can also be purchased through Ticketmaster, the exclusive resale marketplace for Tennessee Athletics, by clicking HERE.
In order to keep Lindsey Nelson Stadium as full as possible, we are encouraging season ticket holders who are unable to use their tickets for a game(s) to transfer your tickets to another Vols fan (Instructions HERE).
If you're a season ticket holder and can't make it to a baseball game this season, you also now have the option to donate your 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 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 all series long on the Vol Network (FM 99.1/AM 990) and its participating affiliates throughout the state. 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 (8 GS, 4-1, 3.63 ERA) vs. RHP Luke Holman (8 GS, 6-1, 2.01 ERA)
GAME 3: LHP Zander Sechrist (8 GS, 1-0, 3.37 ERA) vs. TBD
in Knoxville: Tigers lead, 20-18
in Baton Rouge: Tigers lead, 38-9
at Neutral Sites: Tigers lead, 5-2
Last 10 Meetings: Vols lead, 6-4
Last Meeting: L, 5-0 – June 20, 2023 in Omaha, Nebraska (CWS)
Despite being in separate divisions, the Vols and Tigers have become familiar foes in recent years, having faced off 11 times over the past three seasons with five of those meetings coming in the postseason, including a pair of games in last year's College World Series. UT is 7-4 in those 11 contests, including a 3-2 mark in postseason play. Under head coach Tony Vitello, Tennessee is 7-7 overall against LSU. For comparison, the Vols were 2-12 in their previous 14 meetings against the Tigers prior to Vitello's tenure.
Tennessee enters the weekend with the top scoring attack in the SEC and ranks second in the nation, averaging 10.7 runs per game, a mark that would set a new single-season program record if the season were to end today, besting the 1998 team's mark of 10.1.
The Vols scored almost at will in last weekend's trip to Auburn, torching the Tigers' pitching staff for 36 runs and 25 extra-base hits, including a program SEC series record 14 home runs. On the year, UT leads the SEC and ranks in the top seven nationally in batting average (.338), doubles (94), hits (372), home runs (89), home runs per game (2.70), runs (353), runs per game (10.7) and slugging percentage (.671).
Burke Breaking Records
Junior slugger Blake Burke broke Luc Lipcius' Tennessee career home run record last weekend with a solo blast in Saturday's win at Auburn, giving him 41 for his career. Burke is also in pursuit of the program record for the longest hitting streak, as he enters the weekend with a base knock in 23 consecutive games, four shy of Condredge Holloway's record of 27 straight that was set back in 1975.
Sundays Are for the Vols
All four of the Tennessee's SEC series so far this season have come down to a Sunday rubber game. The Vols are 3-1 in those games, having won three consecutive decisive game threes in each of the past three weekends against the likes of No. 18 Ole Miss, No. 22 Georgia and Auburn. Under Vitello (2018-pres.), the Vols are an impressive 16-10 in rubber games including a 15-9 mark in SEC play.
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MORE INFO
Game & Broadcast Info
- Opponent: LSU Tigers
- Dates: April 12-14
- Location: Knoxville, Tenn.
- Venue: Lindsey Nelson Stadium
- Watch: ESPNU/SECN
- Listen: Vol Network
- Live Stats: UTSports.com
- Game 1: Friday, April 12 – 7:30 p.m. (ESPNU)
- Game 2: Saturday, April 13 – 5:30 p.m. (SEC Network)
- Game 3: Sunday, April 14 – 3 p.m. (SEC Network)
#4/4 Tennessee (27-6 | 7-5 SEC)
Roster Schedule Stats Notes#25/NR LSU (22-12 | 3-9 SEC)
Roster Schedule Stats Notes UT Baseball Record Book Tickets Gameday Central Follow @UTGameday Official Gameday App Buy Tennessee GearÂ
The Vols enter this weekend's showdown having lost just two games all season at home, boasting a 22-2 record overall in Knoxville.
TICKET INFORMATION
Season and single-game tickets for all SEC home contests are SOLD OUT. Limited standing room only tickets will go on sale for all games 90 minutes prior to first pitch at the Lindsey Nelson Stadium ticket office.Single-game tickets for all games can also be purchased through Ticketmaster, the exclusive resale marketplace for Tennessee Athletics, by clicking HERE.
In order to keep Lindsey Nelson Stadium as full as possible, we are encouraging season ticket holders who are unable to use their tickets for a game(s) to transfer your tickets to another Vols fan (Instructions HERE).
If you're a season ticket holder and can't make it to a baseball game this season, you also now have the option to donate your 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 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
Dave Neal (PxP) and VFL Chris Burke (analyst) will have the call for all three contests this weekend as the entire series will be televised. Friday's series opener will be broadcast on ESPNU while Saturday and Sunday's games will air live on the SEC Network.Fans can also listen to John Wilkerson and Vince Ferrara call the action all series long on the Vol Network (FM 99.1/AM 990) and its participating affiliates throughout the state. 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: LHP Chris Stamos (0 GS, 3-0, 3.46 ERA)Â vs. LHP Gage Jump (7 GS, 2-0, 3.98 ERA)GAME 2: RHP Drew Beam (8 GS, 4-1, 3.63 ERA) vs. RHP Luke Holman (8 GS, 6-1, 2.01 ERA)
GAME 3: LHP Zander Sechrist (8 GS, 1-0, 3.37 ERA) vs. TBD
SERIES HISTORY
Overall: Tigers lead, 63-29in Knoxville: Tigers lead, 20-18
in Baton Rouge: Tigers lead, 38-9
at Neutral Sites: Tigers lead, 5-2
Last 10 Meetings: Vols lead, 6-4
Last Meeting: L, 5-0 – June 20, 2023 in Omaha, Nebraska (CWS)
Despite being in separate divisions, the Vols and Tigers have become familiar foes in recent years, having faced off 11 times over the past three seasons with five of those meetings coming in the postseason, including a pair of games in last year's College World Series. UT is 7-4 in those 11 contests, including a 3-2 mark in postseason play. Under head coach Tony Vitello, Tennessee is 7-7 overall against LSU. For comparison, the Vols were 2-12 in their previous 14 meetings against the Tigers prior to Vitello's tenure.
NOTABLE
Offensive Firepower on Full DisplayTennessee enters the weekend with the top scoring attack in the SEC and ranks second in the nation, averaging 10.7 runs per game, a mark that would set a new single-season program record if the season were to end today, besting the 1998 team's mark of 10.1.
The Vols scored almost at will in last weekend's trip to Auburn, torching the Tigers' pitching staff for 36 runs and 25 extra-base hits, including a program SEC series record 14 home runs. On the year, UT leads the SEC and ranks in the top seven nationally in batting average (.338), doubles (94), hits (372), home runs (89), home runs per game (2.70), runs (353), runs per game (10.7) and slugging percentage (.671).
Burke Breaking Records
Junior slugger Blake Burke broke Luc Lipcius' Tennessee career home run record last weekend with a solo blast in Saturday's win at Auburn, giving him 41 for his career. Burke is also in pursuit of the program record for the longest hitting streak, as he enters the weekend with a base knock in 23 consecutive games, four shy of Condredge Holloway's record of 27 straight that was set back in 1975.
Sundays Are for the Vols
All four of the Tennessee's SEC series so far this season have come down to a Sunday rubber game. The Vols are 3-1 in those games, having won three consecutive decisive game threes in each of the past three weekends against the likes of No. 18 Ole Miss, No. 22 Georgia and Auburn. Under Vitello (2018-pres.), the Vols are an impressive 16-10 in rubber games including a 15-9 mark in SEC play.
OPPONENT SCOUT
LSU Tigers (22-12, 3-9 SEC)- Head Coach: Jay Johnson (3rd season)
- 2023 Postseason: CWS (National Champions)
- Rankings: D1Baseball – NR | USA Today – RV | Baseball America – NR | NCBWA – 25 | Perfect Game – NR
- 2024 SEC Preseason Poll: 2nd in Western Division
- Preseason All-Conference Selections (2)
- 3B Tommy White (1st Team)
- DH/UTL Hayden Travinski (2nd Team)
- Stat Leaders:
- Batting Avg: Tommy White (.324)
- Runs: Tommy White (33)
- Hits: Tommy White (44)
- Home Runs: Jared Jones (14)
- RBI: Jared Jones (34)
- Stolen Bases: Paxton Kling (6)
- Wins: Luke Holman (6)
- Saves: Griffin Herring (3)
- ERA (min. 15 IP): Luke Holman (2.01)
- WHIP (min. 15 IP): Luke Holman (0.93)
- Innings Pitched: Luke Holman (44.2)
- Strikeouts: Luke Holman (71)
WEEKEND PROMOTIONS/GIVEAWAYS
FRIDAY:- Ceremonial First Pitch:Â Women's Basketball Head Coach Kim Caldwell
- Theme:Â ORANGE OUT (Fans are encouraged to wear orange)
- Ceremonial First Pitch:Â Todd Helton (Following pregame recognition for his Baseball Hall of Fame Induction)
- Giveaway:Â 1,000 Todd Helton Shirts
- Timeline: Other activities prior to Saturday's game:
- 10:30 AM: TN Baseball fans can visit Vol Village in Lot 9 prior to Orange & White Spring game.
- 11:15 AM: Lindsay Ell concert in Lot 9
- 1:00 PM: Orange & White game begins. O&W game watch party in Lot 9.
- 3:15 PM: Greylan James concert in Lot 9
- 5:30 PM: Baseball watch party begins in Lot 9 for those without a ticket.
- FREE parking will be on the Ag Campus (shuttles start at 9:30 AM), 11th Street garage and the White Ave garage.
- Ceremonial First Pitch:Â Men's Basketball SEC Player of the Year Dalton Knecht
- Giveaway: 500 Golf Towels
ON DECK
The Big Orange host Bellarmine for a midweek game next Tuesday before a big road series at SEC East leading No. 8/8 Kentucky in Lexington next weekend.Â
Players Mentioned
1B
/ Baseball
LHP
/ Baseball
LHP
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