KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Looking to continue its strong play following a sweep of Texas A&M during its SEC home opening weekend, the ninth-ranked Tennessee Volunteers host UNC Asheville in midweek action at Lindsey Nelson Stadium, beginning Tuesday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. ET.

Tennessee (19-6, 3-3 SEC) looks to go perfect in its five-game homestand before hitting the road, having taken down Western Carolina in a midweek a week ago. The Vols swept the Aggies over the weekend thanks to superb and clutch offense, finding an answer to almost every lead the Aggies took in the games. UT scored a total of 27 runs in the three contests and currently ranks top-10 nationally in homers with 49 round-trippers this season.

The Vols have also pitched extremely well, boasting a 2.73 team ERA, the fourth-best in the country and top mark in the SEC.

WEEKEND SCHEDULE/PROJECTED STARTING PITCHERS

Tuesday, March 28 (6:30 p.m.)
LHP Zander Sechrist (0-0, 0.57 ERA) vs. RHP Cole Bates (2-1, 4.15 ERA)

BROADCAST INFO

Tuesday’s game will stream on SEC Network+ and the ESPN app with Andy Brock (PxP) on the call. The online broadcast can be accessed on any mobile device through WatchESPN. WatchESPN can be accessed through the ESPN App, or online at espn.com/watch.

Fans can also listen to the Voice of Tennessee Baseball, John Wilkerson, and Vince Ferrara call the action on the Vol Network (FM 99.1) or via a free audio stream on UTSports.com and the Tennessee Athletics Gameday App.  

SERIES HISTORY

Overall: Tennessee leads, 30-7
in Knoxville: Tennessee leads, 26-4
in Asheville: Tennessee leads, 4-0
at Neutral Sites: none
Last 10 Meetings: 9-1
Last Meeting: W, 16-1 (Feb. 23, 2022, in Knoxville)

NOTABLE

HOME SWEET HOME
The Vols will look to close this five-game homestand unbeaten after continuing their stellar play at home last weekend. Tennessee is 18-1 at home this season and 99-17 on Rocky Top since 2020.

SEC SWEEPS
Following last weekend’s sweep of Texas A&M, Tennessee has now posted 11 SEC series sweeps under Tony Vitello (since 2018). From 2003-2017, the Volunteers had just 12 SEC series sweeps.

OPPONENT SCOUT

UNC Asheville Bulldogs

• 2023 Record: 15-8 (2-4 Big South)
• 2022 Record: 21-29-1 (14-9-1 Big South)
• 2022 Postseason: –
• 2023 Big South Preseason Poll: 5th
• Head Coach: Scott Friedholm (Ninth season)
• Stat Leaders:
  • Average: Kohl Abrams (.388)
  • OBP: Kohl Abrams (.510)
  • SLG: Robbie Burnett (.747)
  • Hits: Dylan Bacot (36)
  • Runs: Robbie Burnett (30)
  • RBIs: Dylan Bacot (37)
  • Doubles: Dylan Bacot (12)
  • Triples: Robbie Burnett (3)
  • Home Runs: Robbie Burnett (6)
  • ERA: Ryan Douglas (2.35)
  • WHIP: Clay Edmondson (1.30)
  • BAA: Justin Honeycutt (.224)
  • Innings Pitched: Clay Edmondson (35.1)
  • Strikeouts: Ryan Douglas (41)
  • Wins: Clay Edmondson (5)
  • Saves: Blake Little (3)

 Tennessee is 4-0 against UNC Asheville under head coach Tony Vitello.
 
Tuesday’s game will also mark the third time the Vols have faced a Big South opponent this year. UT defeated Charleston Southern in both games of their midweek series on Feb. 28 and March 1. The Vols also hosted 2022 Big South champion Campbell in the NCAA Knoxville Regional a season ago, defeating the Camels, 12-7, on June 4.

ON DECK

Tennessee has a big road test, traveling to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to face top-ranked LSU for a weekend series beginning on Thursday night.
 
Both Thursday and Friday’s games will be televised, with the series opener on SEC Network at 8 p.m. ET. Friday’s game will broadcast on ESPNU with first pitch tabbed for 7 p.m. ET.

-UT Athletics