KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — No. 17 Tennessee jumps back into SEC play this weekend with a three-game series at No. 20 Kentucky starting this Friday at John Cropp Stadium in Lexington.
Media & Broadcast Info
All three games of the series will be streamed on SEC Network +/WatchESPN. Radio coverage for the entire series will be available on Sports Radio WNML (FM 99.1 or AM 990) as Brian Rice has the call. Live stats will be available on the softball schedule page at UTSports.com HERE.
View the full series schedule below:
Friday
Game 1 | 6 p.m. | SEC Network +/WatchESPN | WNML (AM 990)/UTSports.com
Saturday
Game 2 | 3 p.m. | SEC Network +/WatchESPN | WNML (FM 99.1 | AM 990)/UTSports.com
Sunday
Game 3 | 1 p.m. | SEC Network +/WatchESPN | WNML (AM 990)/UTSports.com
Need to Know
The Volunteers are riding an 11-game win streak after a series sweep over NC State last weekend and a midweek win over Eastern Kentucky on Tuesday night. They have swept their last two weekend series and the 11-game win streak is their second longest of the season after starting the year with 13 consecutive victories.
Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop
Sophomore Brooke Vines has been on fire at the plate over the past couple of weeks. After earning SEC and NFCA National Player of the Week honors last Monday, Vines had another huge week to help lead the Vols to a 5-0 record. The California native batted .500 and drove in 10 runs during UT’s five games last week. She is tied for 13th in the country with a career high 40 RBIs this season. Vines is also on an 11-game hit streak, the longest of her career. During her hit streak she is batting .594 with 24 RBIs and seven extra-base hits.
Tennessee vs. Ranked Foes
The Vols have had great success against ranked opponents this season, posting a 6-3 record and five consecutive victories against them. The 20th ranked Wildcats will be the sixth ranked opponent UT has faced this season. The Big Orange have 198 wins all-time against ranked foes.
Gregg Having Career Year
Junior shortstop Meghan Gregg continues to raise her game to new levels as she leads the country with 52 RBIs heading into this weekend’s series. The Georgia native ranks among the top-25 nationally in batting average, slugging percentage, on-base percentage and total bases. She also ranks among the top-5 in the SEC in eight offensive categories. Gregg is riding a nine-game hit streak and is on pace to set career highs in batting average, hits, RBIs, home runs, doubles, slugging percentage, on-base percentage and total bases.
Weekly Continues to Climb NCAA Wins List
Tennessee co-head coach Ralph Weekly moved into sole possession of fourth place on the NCAA Division I all-time wins list after last Sunday’s 6-1 win over NC State. Weekly now has 1,287 career victories and surpassed longtime Louisiana-Lafayette and LSU head coach Yvette Girouard with the win.
Scouting Report
Kentucky Wildcats (24-8, 5-4 SEC)
The Wildcats are coming off a series loss at Ole Miss last weekend and are 6-4 over their last 10 games. UK was picked to finish eighth in the SEC Preseason Coaches’ Poll and features a deep pitching staff with four players logging 36.2 innings or more. The leader of the staff is senior Meagan Prince, who is 11-4 and boasts a 1.32 ERA with 106 strikeouts in 95.2 innings pitched. Abbey Cheek leads the Wildcats’ offensive attack with a .351 batting average, 24 RBIs and six homers.
UT’s All-Time Record vs. Kentucky: 41-14
UT’s 41 victories over Kentucky are its second most against any opponent they have faced. The Vols have won four straight in the series, with all four of those wins coming in 2015. Tennessee is 18-8 all-time in Lexington.
What’s Next?
The Vols return home to wrap up non-conference player with a Tuesday doubleheader against Tennessee State on April 11. First pitch for Game 1 is slated for 5 p.m. at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium.
-UT Athletics
