KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 3 Tennessee hosts Rhode Island this weekend at Lindsey Nelson Stadium in its final non-conference series before starting conference play next week.
The Vols and Rams will open the series with a doubleheader on Friday starting at 2 p.m. ET. Game 2 of the twin bill will start approximately 45 minutes following the conclusion of Game 1.
Due to expected low temperatures and possible snow, there will be no game on Saturday. The two teams will finish the series on Sunday at either 12:30 or 1 p.m.
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
For the most updated gameday information related to Tennessee baseball, please visit our Gameday Central page by clicking HERE. The baseball Gameday Central page contains info in regard to tickets, parking, stadium policies and more.
TICKET INFORMATION
Season tickets and single-game tickets for SEC contests are SOLD OUT. Single-game tickets for all remaining non-conference home games can be purchased at AllVols.com or by calling the Tennessee Athletic ticket office at 865-656-1200.
Single-game tickets can also be purchased through Vivid Seats, 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 either transfer your tickets to someone else (Instructions HERE).
BROADCAST INFO
All three of this weekend’s games will be stream on SEC Network+ and the ESPN app with Roger Hoover (PxP) and Cody Hawn (color) calling the action. 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 Vol Network radio call by John Wilkerson on AM 990 for all thee games as well as a live audio stream on UTSports.com and the Tennessee Athletics App.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE/PROJECTED STARTING PITCHERS
Game 1 – Friday (2 p.m.)
RHP Chase Burns (2-0, 0.60 ERA) vs. RHP Ryan Twitchwell (0-3, 10.61 ERA)
Game 2 – Friday (Approx. 6 p.m.)
RHP Chase Dollander (1-0, 4.85 ERA) vs. RHP Domenic Picone (0-2, 9.00 ERA)
Game 3 – Sunday (12:30 p.m.)
RHP Drew Beam (2-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. LHP Trystan Levesque (0-2, 5.11 ERA)
SERIES HISTORY
Overall: First Meeting
In Knoxville: 0-0
In Harrisonburg: 0-0
Neutral Sites: 0-0
Last Meeting: N/A
Friday will mark the first time that Tennessee and Rhode Island have met on the diamond.
NOTABLE
Climbing in the Polls
After another successful week, the Vols continued their climb in the national polls. Tennessee is ranked as high as No. 3 in the nation this week (Collegiate Baseball News) in the polls and rose at least five spots in every other poll. UT is ranked in the top 10 in five of the six major polls and No. 11 in Baseball America.
National Leaders
Tennessee enters Friday’s doubleheader leading the country in numerous offensive categories: runs per game (12.3), total runs (160), doubles (46), home runs (37), slugging percentage (.721) and on-base percentage (.474).
The Vols hit a season-high seven home runs in Wednesday’s win over James Madison, tying the single-game program record. In total, 13 different players have gone deep this season for UT and 11 have hit multiple homers.
Another Day, Another Shutout
With Sunday’s 8-0 blanking of Oklahoma last Sunday, the Vols posted their fourth shutout of the season, which is the most in the country entering this weekend. Tennessee posted just three shutouts all of last season and had just one in the regular season.
Heading into Friday’s games, UT’s pitching staff ranks 10th nationally in ERA (2.11), fourth in hits allowed per nine innings (5.48), 11th in strikeout-to-walk ratio (4.11), fifth in strikeouts per nine innings (12.2) and fourth in WHIP (0.94).
The Kids Can Play
While Tennessee has gotten contributions from nearly its entire roster so far this season, its freshman class has been outstanding to start the year. The Vols’ pair of freshman weekend starters Chase Burns and Drew Beam have been lights out in each of their three starts this year.
Burns held the top-ranked Longhorns to just two hits and one run in five innings while setting a career high with 10 strikeouts last Friday night while Beam also allowed just two hits and had a career-high six strikeouts over five shutout innings in UT’s 8-0 win over Oklahoma last Sunday. Beam has yet to allow a run in three starts (11.1 IP) this season while Burns have given up just one earned run in 15.0 innings.
True freshmen position players Christian Moore and Blake Burke provided some highlights over the weekend. Moore got the start at DH and went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and three RBIs in Sunday’s win over Oklahoma. Moore hit an inside-the-park home run, the first since Zach Daniels had one in a win over Texas Tech on Feb. 21, 2020 at the Round Rock Classic. The talented freshman hit his fourth homer of the year in Wednesday’s midweek win over James Madison. Burke hit a pinch-hit home run late in Sunday’s victory over the Sooners, his second long ball of the year, and added a double in Wednesday’s midweek victory over the Dukes.
OPPONENT SCOUT
Rhode Island Rams
- Record: 0-10 (0-0 A10)
- 2021 Postseason: N/A
- 2022 Atlantic 10 Preseason Poll: 3rd
- Head Coach: Raphael Cerrato (8th season)
- Preseason Honors: N/A
- Stat Leaders:
- Batting Avg: Xavier Vargas (.357)
- Runs: Anthony DePino (4)
- Hits: Xavier Vargas (10)
- Home Runs: Four players tied (1)
- RBI: Eric Genther (5)
- Stolen Bases: Addison Kopack (2)
- Wins: N/A
- Saves: N/A
- ERA (min. 1 IP/G): Ryan Andrade/Jon Jones (0.00)
- Innings Pitched: Trystan Levesque (12.1)
- Strikeouts: Trystan Levesque (9)
GAME PROMOTIONS
Gameday 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.
NEW TO LINDSEY NELSON STADIUM
With a palpable excitement surrounding the program, Lindsey Nelson Stadium has added some new and improved seating areas and fan amenities to increase capacity and provide a better fan experience this season.
One of the first things fans will see upon arriving is an additional deck of porches behind the left-field wall as well as new chair-back bleacher seating down the left-field line.
All porches for the 2022 season are sold out, however, the left-field bleachers will be sold as general admission seating. Additional food and beverage options will be located next to the new bleachers throughout the year. For SEC games, a VolShop location and food trucks will be located in that area, as well.
UT has removed the playground down the right-field line and re-branded the area as “The Deck”, which will feature a standing room only area for UT’s students while also providing additional concessions options to help negate congestion throughout the main concourse. In order to enhance the gameday experience, a Petro’s Chili & Chips, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Gameday Sausage kiosk and a new beer kiosk have been added to the deck area.
Vol fans can look for Coca-Cola, popcorn and beer at kiosks on the Plaza located down the first-base line. The VolShop will have hats and merchandise available on the Plaza, as well. The Fan Experience Hub, your one-stop shop for game programs, posters, schedule cards, contest info and more, will also be located in the Plaza area.
Tennessee’s MVP season-ticket holders will also be greeted with a brand new, completely renovated MVP Room this season.
Friday SEC Fan Fest
Starting with the SEC opener on March 18 against South Carolina, an exciting new area will be in place for fans this season. “Friday SEC Fan Fest” will take place for ticketed fans on Pat Head Summitt Street for every Friday SEC contest.
Friday Fan Fests will feature music, giveaways, food/beverage options, VolShop sales locations and Vol Network Sponsor activations. Additionally, VFL Sterl the Pearl will join various SEC weekend games to add to the electricity in Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
ON DECK
The Vols host Eastern Kentucky in the midweek on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. before opening SEC play next Friday, March 18 at home against South Carolina.
Tickets for Tuesday’s game against the Colonels are available at AllVols.com.
-UT Athletics
