KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 5 Tennessee continues its stretch of games against in-state opponents with a midweek matchup at home against Tennessee Tech on Tuesday night at 6:30 p.m.
The Vols will be looking to rebound from their first series loss of the season after dropping Sunday’s rubber game to No. 2 Vanderbilt.
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
Relying on the expertise of public health authorities, the state of Tennessee, appropriate university and government agencies including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), we are implementing a number of new initiatives at Tennessee Baseball gamedays this spring. The well-being of our student-athletes, fans and staff are our top priorities and guide our decisions. Exposure to COVID-19 is an inherent risk in any public location where people are present; we cannot guarantee you will not be exposed during your visit.
The Southeastern Conference in August released several conference-wide fan health and safety guidelines for all member institutions this fall. The Tennessee-specific measures outlined on this page are in line with, and in addition to, the SEC’s guidelines.
Parking
Baseball parking is located primarily in Lots GF1, G16, and C1.
Additional on-street parking is located in C10 along Todd Helton Dr. and Chamique Holdsclaw Dr. and along West Volunteer Blvd.
Handicap parking is located in marked handicap spaces on Pat Head Summitt St. and in the G16 Volunteer Blvd. garage. The 2021 parking map can be seen HERE (PDF).
For more information and gameday info, visit the Tennessee Baseball Gameday Information page by clicking HERE.
TICKET INFORMATION
Lindsey Nelson Stadium continues to operate with reduced capacity to align with state and local social-distancing guidelines for public gatherings.
Single-game tickets for remaining midweek games may be purchased by calling the Tennessee Athletic ticket office at 865-656-1200 or online at Allvols.com. For SEC games, a limited number of single game tickets will go on sale at Lindsey Nelson Stadium 90 minutes prior to first pitch.
Single-game tickets may also be available for select games at the baseball ticket office based on visiting team ticket returns. Fans are encouraged to call the Ticket Office at 865-656-1200 for individual game availability. For weekend series, please contact the Ticket Office on Fridays before 5:00 p.m. Single-game tickets can also be purchased through Vivid Seats by clicking HERE.
In order to keep Lindsey Nelson Stadium as full as possible during a season with limited capacity, we are encouraging season ticket holders who are unable to use their tickets for a game(s) to either transfer your tickets to someone else (Instructions HERE), sell them on VividSeats (Information available at UTSports.com/
BROADCAST INFO
Tuesday’s game will be streamed live on SEC Network+ and the ESPN app as Bob Kesling (PxP) and Charlie Puleo (color) have the call.
Fans can also listen to the official Vol Network radio call on Sports Radio WNML (FM 99.1 / AM 990), as well as UTSports.com and the UT Gameday app. John Wilkerson and Vince Ferrara will call the action.
PROJECTED STARTING PITCHERS
RHP Jason Rackers (1-0) vs. TBD
SERIES HISTORY
Overall: Tennessee leads, 70-30-1
In Knoxville: Tennessee leads, 45-12
In Cookeville: Tennessee leads, 25-18-1
Neutral Sites: N/A
Last Meeting: W, 15-10 (May 14, 2019)
The Vols have won four of the past five meetings against the Golden Eagles and are 1-1 against them under Tony Vitello after posting a 15-10 win in Knoxville in 2019.
NOTABLE
Tennessee vs. In-State Foes
Tennessee has been successful against in-state competition since Vitello took over as head coach in 2018. The Vols are 19-11 against in-state teams in that span, including a 16-5 record against non-conference in-state foes.
We Hit Dingers
Tennessee put up some impressive power numbers over its four games last week, blasting 10 home runs, including four homers each on Saturday and Sunday against No. 2 Vanderbilt. Entering Tuesday’s contest, the Big Orange rank 19th nationally with 44 home runs this season. After Jackson Greer hit his first long ball as a Vol on Sunday, UT has now had 13 different players leave the yard this season.
Russell’s Record-Breaking Long Balls
Senior outfielder Evan Russell put up another record-setting performance in UT’s 8-4 victory over the Commodores on Saturday. Russell hit three home runs, including the game-winning grand slam in the bottom of the eighth inning with the Vols trailing 4-3. It marked the second three-homer game for Russell this season after also accomplishing the feat in a win over LSU on March 27. The Lexington, Tennessee, native is the only player in program history to have multiple three-homer games in their career. His six RBI on the day were also a career high.
Non-Conference Dominance
UT has been close to unbeatable in non-conference and midweek games in the past couple of years. Since the start of the 2019 season, the Vols are 60-10 against non-conference foes. The Big Orange have also posted an impressive 36-6 record in midweek games since Vitello became head coach in 2018. Tennessee is 19-3 in non-conference games this season, including a 8-1 record in midweek contests.
OPPONENT SCOUT
Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles
- 2021 Record: 12-16 (6-9 OVC)
- Rankings: Not Ranked
- 2019 Postseason: N/A
- Head Coach: Steve Smith (2nd season) // Spent 21 years as Baylor’s head coach, where he is the winningest coach in Baylor Athletics history (744 wins).
- Predicted OVC Finish: 10th
- Preseason All-OVC Selections:
- Jason Hinchman (1st Team – OF)
- Stat Leaders:
- Batting Avg: Brett Roberts (.374)
- Runs: Cody Littlejohn (23)
- Hits: Brett Roberts (43)
- Home Runs: Cody Littlejohn (7)
- RBI: Ed Johnson (21)
- Stolen Bases: Brett Roberts (12-18)
- Wins: Ty Fisher (3)
- ERA (min. 15.0 IP): Jacob Parham (2.93)
- Innings Pitched: Ty Fisher (47.0)
- Strikeouts: Ty Fisher (36)
GAME PROMOTIONS
Upcoming promotions for all Tennessee athletics home events can be found on the UT Fan Experience page by clicking HERE.
Fans are encouraged to download the My All App for their phones and devices this season. The app is available on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store and will allow fans to participate in in-game trivia, the custom filter selfie cam and more throughout the year.
ON DECK
The Vols hit the road for another important conference series this weekend against Texas A&M. First pitch for Friday’s series opener is slated for 7:30 p.m. ET. Friday and Saturday’s contests will be streamed on SEC Network+ and the ESPN app while Sunday’s series finale will be televised on the SEC Network.
-UT Athletics
