University of Tennessee Athletics

SB Preview: #7 Lady Vols Battle #14 Arkansas in SEC Home Opening Series
March 21, 2025 | Softball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Seventh-ranked Tennessee will welcome No. 14 Arkansas to Sherri Parker Lee Stadium for a three-game series, marking the Lady Vols' home opener in conference play. The series will run from Saturday to Monday, with first pitch times set for 5:30 p.m. Saturday, noon Sunday, and 7 p.m. Monday.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
For more gameday and parking information, visit the softball gameday information page HERE.
Parking shuttles will be available free of charge all weekend at the Agricultural Campus starting 1.5 hours before the first pitch. When Stephenson Drive lots fill up, fans will be redirected to the Ag Campus parking and shuttles on River Drive.
BROADCAST INFO
All three games of the series will be broadcast on SEC Network. Kevin Brown will handle play-by-play for the first two games, with Amanda Scarborough providing analysis. Mark Neely will take over for Brown for Monday's game.
Fans can also listen to Charley Collier via a free audio stream on UTSports.com and the Tennessee Athletics Gameday App. Streaming, live stats, and radio links are available on the Tennessee softball schedule page at UTSports.com.
NOTABLE
RANKINGS
Tennessee is ranked in all four major polls heading into the weekend: No. 7 (NFCA), No. 7 (USASB), No. 7 (D1S) and No. 9 (SA).
AGAINST THE HOGS
This series marks the only Saturday-Sunday-Monday matchup for Tennessee this season. Arkansas is making its first visit to Knoxville since 2022. The Lady Vols hold a 24-5 advantage in games played at Sherri Parker Lee, though the Razorbacks won the last series between the two teams in 2022, which was the last time Tennessee lost a home SEC series.
SEC SUCCESS
Tennessee has been dominant in conference play, winning a program-record 10 consecutive SEC series dating back to the final series of 2023. The Lady Vols have won 17 of their last 18 league series, boasting a 43-11 record, including eight sweeps.
HOME COOKING
Sherri Parker Lee Stadium has been kind to the Lady Vols, who are 109-22 at home since 2021. In SEC play, Tennessee has won 13 of 16 home series, including eight straight over the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
LAST TIME OUT
Tennessee defeated Eastern Kentucky 8-0 in the Midstate Classic on Tuesday. Sophia Nugent hit two home runs and drove in a career-high six RBIs, while Karlyn Pickens tossed four innings of one-hit ball with seven strikeouts.
SCOUTING ARKANSAS
Head Coach (Record at Arkansas): Courtney Deifel (336-171)
2025 Record: 21-6, 1-5 SEC
Series Record: Tennessee leads, 42-21
In Knoxville: Tennessee leads, 24-5
In Fayetteville: Tennessee leads, 16-14
At Neutral Sites: Series tied, 2-2
Last Meeting: Arkansas won 2-0 on May 1, 2023, in Fayetteville
DUE UP
Tennessee will travel to Norman, Oklahoma, March 28-30, for its first-ever SEC series against the Sooners.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
For more gameday and parking information, visit the softball gameday information page HERE.
Parking shuttles will be available free of charge all weekend at the Agricultural Campus starting 1.5 hours before the first pitch. When Stephenson Drive lots fill up, fans will be redirected to the Ag Campus parking and shuttles on River Drive.
BROADCAST INFO
All three games of the series will be broadcast on SEC Network. Kevin Brown will handle play-by-play for the first two games, with Amanda Scarborough providing analysis. Mark Neely will take over for Brown for Monday's game.
Fans can also listen to Charley Collier via a free audio stream on UTSports.com and the Tennessee Athletics Gameday App. Streaming, live stats, and radio links are available on the Tennessee softball schedule page at UTSports.com.
NOTABLE
RANKINGS
Tennessee is ranked in all four major polls heading into the weekend: No. 7 (NFCA), No. 7 (USASB), No. 7 (D1S) and No. 9 (SA).
AGAINST THE HOGS
This series marks the only Saturday-Sunday-Monday matchup for Tennessee this season. Arkansas is making its first visit to Knoxville since 2022. The Lady Vols hold a 24-5 advantage in games played at Sherri Parker Lee, though the Razorbacks won the last series between the two teams in 2022, which was the last time Tennessee lost a home SEC series.
SEC SUCCESS
Tennessee has been dominant in conference play, winning a program-record 10 consecutive SEC series dating back to the final series of 2023. The Lady Vols have won 17 of their last 18 league series, boasting a 43-11 record, including eight sweeps.
HOME COOKING
Sherri Parker Lee Stadium has been kind to the Lady Vols, who are 109-22 at home since 2021. In SEC play, Tennessee has won 13 of 16 home series, including eight straight over the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
LAST TIME OUT
Tennessee defeated Eastern Kentucky 8-0 in the Midstate Classic on Tuesday. Sophia Nugent hit two home runs and drove in a career-high six RBIs, while Karlyn Pickens tossed four innings of one-hit ball with seven strikeouts.
SCOUTING ARKANSAS
Head Coach (Record at Arkansas): Courtney Deifel (336-171)
2025 Record: 21-6, 1-5 SEC
Series Record: Tennessee leads, 42-21
In Knoxville: Tennessee leads, 24-5
In Fayetteville: Tennessee leads, 16-14
At Neutral Sites: Series tied, 2-2
Last Meeting: Arkansas won 2-0 on May 1, 2023, in Fayetteville
DUE UP
Tennessee will travel to Norman, Oklahoma, March 28-30, for its first-ever SEC series against the Sooners.
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