KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Ready for its SEC home opener, the No. 11/12 Tennessee Volunteers prepare for their first top-25 matchup of the season as they welcome No. 12/21 Texas A&M to Rocky Top for a three-game series beginning Friday night at 6:30 p.m. ET at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

The Vols (16-6, 0-3 SEC) look to continue the success they have had within the confines of Lindsey Nelson Stadium, boasting a 15-1 home record thus far, and bounce back from a tough start to conference play at Missouri a week ago.

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 and single-game tickets for all remaining home SEC contests are SOLD OUT. Limited standing room only tickets will go on sale for all games two hours prior to first pitch at the Lindsey Nelson Stadium ticket office.

Single-game tickets for all games can also be purchased through Ticketmaster, 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 transfer your tickets to someone else (Instructions HERE).

BROADCAST INFO

Friday and Sunday’s games will be streamed live on SEC Network+ with Andy Brock (PxP) and Cody Hawn (Analyst) calling the action. Saturday’s game will be broadcast on ESPN2 with Derek Jones (PxP) and VFL Chris Burke (Analyst) 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, call the action on the Vol Network (FM 99.1/AM 990) or via a free audio stream on UTSports.com and the Tennessee Athletics Gameday App.  

WEEKEND SCHEDULE/PROJECTED STARTING PITCHERS

Game 1 – Friday, March 24 (6:30 p.m. ET)
RHP Chase Dollander (3-2, 3.90 ERA) vs. RHP Nathan Dettmer (1-2, 3.24 ERA)

Game 2 – Saturday, March 25 (12 p.m.) [ESPN2]
RHP Chase Burns (2-1, 3.41 ERA) vs. LHP Troy Wansing (2-1, 2.42 ERA)

Game 3 – Sunday, March 26 (1 p.m.)
RHP Drew Beam (3-1, 2.25 ERA) vs. LHP Justin Lamkin (1-1, 1.33 ERA)

SERIES HISTORY

Overall: Texas A&M leads, 10-6
In Knoxville: Texas A&M leads, 6-3
In College Station: Series tied, 3-3
at Neutral Sites: Texas A&M leads, 1-0
Last 10 Meetings: 5-5
Last Meeting: W, 20-7 (April 25, 2021 in College Station)

Tennessee and Texas A&M are meeting in Knoxville for the first time in five years, dating back to 2018. The Vols have taken the last two series against the Aggies, each by 2-1 tallies.

NOTABLE

HOME SWEET HOME
Tennessee opened its five-game homestand with 7-0 win over Western Carolina on Tuesday to continue its stellar play at home, where the Big Orange are 15-1 this season and 96-17 since 2020
 
ANDERSON’S ARM FACTORY
Under the guidance of Frank Anderson, who has proven to be one of the nation’s top pitching coaches and developers of talent throughout his highly-successful career, Tennessee once again has one of the nation’s premier pitching staffs. UT has held its opponents to three or fewer earned runs in 18 of its 22 games so far this season.
 
Tennessee has recorded double-digit strikeouts in 17 of its 22 games this season, with a high of 20 on Feb. 24 vs. Dayton. In their series sweep of Morehead State (3/10-11), the Vols totaled 43 punchouts over the three games (15 in Game 1, 16 in Game 2 and 12 in Game 3). The 43 strikeouts were the most by UT in a single series since racking up 46 in three games vs. Indiana (Feb. 22-24, 2019).
 
The Vols’ relievers have also been impressive this year with a 2.27 ERA and 117 strikeouts compared to just 25 walks in 87.1 innings pitched. Top relievers AJ Russell (1.00), Zach Joyce (1.13), Bryce Jenkins (1.50), Andrew Lindsey (2.13), Seth Halvorsen (2.70), Jacob Bimbi (2.70) and Kirby Connell (2.84) all enter this weekend with ERA’s under 3.00.

MAUI MAKING AN IMPACT
After a somewhat slow start at the plate over his first four games, junior shortstop Maui Ahuna has hit his stride and has been one of the team’s top hitters over the past two-plus weeks.
 
Over the last 10 games, Ahuna leads the Vols with 17 RBIs and ranks second on the team in batting average (.333), runs (10), hits (11), home runs (4), total bases (24), walks (7) and on-base percentage (.465). Dating back to last season at Kansas, Ahuna has recorded at least one hit in 30 of his last 33 games played.
 
Ahuna’s best performance of the season to date came in UT’s series-opening 23-4 victory over Morehead State (3/10), where he reached base in all six of his plate appearances and recorded his first-career two-homer game. He drew three walks, was hit by a pitch, scored a career-best five times and also tied a career high with five RBIs in the win.
 
The native of Hilo, Hawaii has also displayed his fielding prowess this season while starting 13 games at short[1]stop. Ahuna has committed just one error in 39 chances and ranks second on the team with 28 assists.

OPPONENT SCOUT

Texas A&M Aggies

• 2023 Record: 15-6 (1-2 SEC)
• 2022 Record: 44-20 (19-11 SEC)
• 2022 Postseason: College World Series Semifinal
• 2023 SEC Preseason Poll: 2nd in Western Division (1 first-place vote)
• 2023 Preseason All-SEC Team
  • First Team: Jack Moss (1B)
  • Second Team: Ryan Targac (2B), Trevor Werner (3B), Brett Minnich (OF), Austin Bost (DH/UTL)
• Head Coach: Jim Schlossnagle (22nd season)
• Stat Leaders:
  • Average: Hunter Haas (.413)
  • OBP: Hunter Haas (.520)
  • SLG: Hunter Haas (.625)
  • Hits: Hunter Haas (33)
  • Runs: Austin Bost (21)
  • RBIs: Austin Bost (25)
  • Doubles: Hunter Haas (8)
  • Triples: Four tied (1)
  • Home Runs: Jace LaViolette (4)
  • Stolen Bases: Trevor Werner, Ryan Targac (4)
  • ERA: Justin Lamkin (1.33)
  • WHIP: Justin Lamkin (1.03)
  • BAA: Will Johnston (.133)
  • Innings Pitched: Nathan Dettmer (25.0)
  • Strikeouts: Troy Wansing (37)
  • Wins: Brad Rudis (3)
  • Saves: Four tied (1)

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.

Friday SEC Block Parties

The start of SEC play also marks the return of the Friday Night Block Party, which will open at 4 p.m. for ticketed fans on Pat Head Summitt Street for every Friday SEC contest (weather permitting). The area will only be accessible for fans with tickets to Friday’s game.

Friday’s SEC Block Parties will feature music, giveaways, face painting, food/beverage options, VolShop sales locations and Vol Network sponsor activations. Additionally, VFL Sterl the Pearl will join to add to the electricity in Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

Food, drink, and anything else acquired at the block party can be brought inside the stadium. Gates 10A and 11 will be open for fans to use to enter the stadium. Fans may come and go from stadium to the block party as they please.

ON DECK

Tennessee hosts UNC Asheville in midweek action at 4:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 28, at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

 Tickets for the game can be purchased by visiting AllVols.com.