The Official Illinois @ Tennessee Series Thread (Fri. 3/8 6PM EST) (Sat. 3/9 1PM EST) (Sun. 3/10 1PM EST) (All games on SEC NET+)

#1

NO SIR EEE

The Sultan Of Swat
Joined
Nov 29, 2011
Messages
6,681
Likes
23,665
#1
Illinois Fighting Illini
(5-6) Overall (0-0) Big 10

1709786990052.jpeg
@
Tennessee Volunteers
(13-1) Overall (0-0) SEC
1709787091391.jpeg
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – In its final weekend series before the start of Southeastern Conference play, No. 7/8 Tennessee puts its 12-game winning streak on the line against Big Ten foe Illinois starting this Friday night at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. The Vols are coming off a pair of midweek wins over Kansas State and Southern Indiana earlier this week and will look to remain unbeaten at home this season.

BROADCAST INFO

The entire series will be streamed online on SEC Network+ and the ESPN app. Andy Brock (PxP) and VFL Cody Hawn (analyst) will be on the call for Friday's opener while Roger Hoover (PxP) will join Hawn for the final two games.

Fans can also listen to John Wilkerson and Vince Ferrara call the action on the Vol Network (FM 99.1/AM 990). A free audio stream will also be available on UTSports.com, the Tennessee Athletics App and the Varsity App.

PROJECTED STARTING PITCHERS

GAME 1: RHP AJ Causey (2-0, 1.23 ERA) vs. RHP Jack Crowder (0-0, 7.07 ERA)
GAME 2: RHP Drew Beam (2-0, 2.16 ERA) vs. RHP Logan Tabeling (0-1, 5.40 ERA)
GAME 3: TBD vs. TBD

SERIES HISTORY

Overall: Illinois leads, 3-0
in Knoxville: Illinois leads, 2-0
in Champaign: N/A
at Neutral Sites: Illinois leads, 1-0
Last Meeting: L, 13-1 in Orlando, Fla. (2/27/93)

This weekend will mark the first meeting between the Vols and Fighting Illini since 1993. Illinois other two wins in the series came all the way back in 1912.

NOTABLE

Vols Streaking Into Weekend Series with Fighting Illini
Tennessee continued its early season success with two more midweek victories earlier this week with wins over Kanas State (15-5) and Southern Indiana (2-1) to extend its winning streak to 12 games. Over the streak, the Vols have outscored their opponents 134-36 and have posted seven victories by 10 or more runs, including all three games of last weekend's sweep of Bowling Green. UT is averaging 11.2 runs per game during the streak, as well.

Dean's Record-Setting Night
Freshman infielder Dean Curley put together one of the best offensive performances in program history during Tennessee's 15-5 win over Kansas State on Tuesday. The California native became the sixth player and first freshman in program history to hit three home runs in a game and finished with a freshman record nine RBIs, one shy of tying the overall program record of 10 held by Joe Randa (April 23, 1991 vs. Louisville).

Curley hit a grand slam, a three-run homer, a two-run shot and came within mere feet of completing the home run cycle when he flew out to the wall in right field in his final at-bat. For the year, Curley ranks second on the team with six homers and 17 RBIs while seven of his eight hits have gone for extra bases (six HRs, one triple).

Burke & CMo Chasing Home Run Record
After hitting three homers in last weekend's series sweep of Bowling Green, junior slugger Blake Burke is just six home runs away from tying the program record held by his predecessor at first base, Luc Lipcius, who hit 40 during his UT career (218 games played). Burke's 34 career long balls have come in just 124 games played.

Fellow junior Christian Moore isn't far behind with 31 career homers of his own after hitting one in each of this week's wins over Kansas State and Southern Indiana to bring his season total to four.

OPPONENT SCOUT

Illinois Fighting Illini (5-6, 0-0 Big Ten)
  • Head Coach: Dan Hartleb (19th season)
  • 2023 Record: 25-27 (12-12 Big Ten)
  • 2023 Postseason: N/A
  • 2024 Big Ten Preseason Poll: N/A
  • Preseason All-Conference Selections (3)
    • RHP Jack Crowder
    • OF Ryan Moerman
    • RHP Logan Tabeling

ON DECK

Tennessee wraps up its 15-game homestand with a midweek matchup against Eastern Kentucky on Tuesday, March 12 before opening up SEC play on the road at No. 13/15 Alabama next weekend in Tuscaloosa.
 
Last edited:
#10
#10
Illinois Fighting Illini
(5-6) Overall (0-0) Big 10

View attachment 625410
@
Tennessee Volunteers
(13-1) Overall (0-0) SEC
View attachment 625411
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – In its final weekend series before the start of Southeastern Conference play, No. 7/8 Tennessee puts its 12-game winning streak on the line against Big Ten foe Illinois starting this Friday night at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. The Vols are coming off a pair of midweek wins over Kansas State and Southern Indiana earlier this week and will look to remain unbeaten at home this season.

BROADCAST INFO

The entire series will be streamed online on SEC Network+ and the ESPN app. Andy Brock (PxP) and VFL Cody Hawn (analyst) will be on the call for Friday's opener while Roger Hoover (PxP) will join Hawn for the final two games.

Fans can also listen to John Wilkerson and Vince Ferrara call the action on the Vol Network (FM 99.1/AM 990). A free audio stream will also be available on UTSports.com, the Tennessee Athletics App and the Varsity App.

PROJECTED STARTING PITCHERS

GAME 1: RHP AJ Causey (2-0, 1.23 ERA) vs. RHP Jack Crowder (0-0, 7.07 ERA)
GAME 2: RHP Drew Beam (2-0, 2.16 ERA) vs. RHP Logan Tabeling (0-1, 5.40 ERA)
GAME 3: TBD vs. TBD

SERIES HISTORY

Overall: Illinois leads, 3-0
in Knoxville: Illinois leads, 2-0
in Champaign: N/A
at Neutral Sites: Illinois leads, 1-0
Last Meeting: L, 13-1 in Orlando, Fla. (2/27/93)

This weekend will mark the first meeting between the Vols and Fighting Illini since 1993. Illinois other two wins in the series came all the way back in 1912.

NOTABLE

Vols Streaking Into Weekend Series with Fighting Illini
Tennessee continued its early season success with two more midweek victories earlier this week with wins over Kanas State (15-5) and Southern Indiana (2-1) to extend its winning streak to 12 games. Over the streak, the Vols have outscored their opponents 134-36 and have posted seven victories by 10 or more runs, including all three games of last weekend's sweep of Bowling Green. UT is averaging 11.2 runs per game during the streak, as well.

Dean's Record-Setting Night
Freshman infielder Dean Curley put together one of the best offensive performances in program history during Tennessee's 15-5 win over Kansas State on Tuesday. The California native became the sixth player and first freshman in program history to hit three home runs in a game and finished with a freshman record nine RBIs, one shy of tying the overall program record of 10 held by Joe Randa (April 23, 1991 vs. Louisville).

Curley hit a grand slam, a three-run homer, a two-run shot and came within mere feet of completing the home run cycle when he flew out to the wall in right field in his final at-bat. For the year, Curley ranks second on the team with six homers and 17 RBIs while seven of his eight hits have gone for extra bases (six HRs, one triple).

Burke & CMo Chasing Home Run Record
After hitting three homers in last weekend's series sweep of Bowling Green, junior slugger Blake Burke is just six home runs away from tying the program record held by his predecessor at first base, Luc Lipcius, who hit 40 during his UT career (218 games played). Burke's 34 career long balls have come in just 124 games played.

Fellow junior Christian Moore isn't far behind with 31 career homers of his own after hitting one in each of this week's wins over Kansas State and Southern Indiana to bring his season total to four.

OPPONENT SCOUT

Illinois Fighting Illini (5-6, 0-0 Big Ten)
  • Head Coach: Dan Hartleb (19th season)
  • 2023 Record: 25-27 (12-12 Big Ten)
  • 2023 Postseason: N/A
  • 2024 Big Ten Preseason Poll: N/A
  • Preseason All-Conference Selections (3)
    • RHP Jack Crowder
    • OF Ryan Moerman
    • RHP Logan Tabeling

ON DECK

Tennessee wraps up its 15-game homestand with a midweek matchup against Eastern Kentucky on Tuesday, March 12 before opening up SEC play on the road at No. 13/15 Alabama next weekend in Tuscaloosa.

Admiral Schofield will probably be watching this series with great interest and this series could be impacted by the weather this weekend.
 
#14
#14
Scouting report from D1 Baseball.....

Illinois will counter in the rotation with righthanders Jack Crowder (0-0, 7.07 ERA) and Logan Tabeling (0-1, 5.40 ERA), followed by a TBA of its own on Sunday. Crowder misses plenty of bats, as he has 17 strikeouts in 14 innings this season, but he’s walked nine and hit two batters in those innings as well, so control can be an issue. He has a fastball that has averaged just under 93 mph this season, touching as high as 97, to go along with a low-80s slider and a mid-80s changeup.

Tabeling has 18 strikeouts and has held opponents to a .167 average in 10 innings. Like Crowder, he has a big arm, with a fastball that averages over 93 mph and has touched as high as 97. His top secondary pitch is a high-70s curveball, but he’ll also toss in a high-80s changeup.

Righthander Jake Swartz (0-0, 3.18) is an option for Sunday after starting last weekend against Michigan State. His raw stuff isn’t as good as Crowder or Tabeling, but it’s still quite solid. He’ll throw a low-90s fastball, a low-80s changeup and a mid-70s curveball.

Whether in the bullpen or as the TBA starter, lefthander Cooper Omans (2.31 ERA, 11.2 IP) will likely throw important innings. He has a four-pitch mix made up of a high-80s fastball, two distinct breaking balls and a changeup.

The Illini lineup has gotten good performances from Camden Janik (.333/.408/.548), Caj Hejza (.302/.434/.326) and Drake Westcott (.273/.489/.727, 4 HR), but with a .253/.363/.426 team slash line, this is an area that will have to improve if they are to compete with Tennessee this weekend or at the top of the Big Ten.
 
#16
#16
Where is the best place to park tomorrow if we don't have a parking permit? Sunday?

We've been parking in the University Commons (Publix) parking garage but we probably aren't supposed to park there.
 
  • Like
Reactions: WillisWG
#17
#17
Where is the best place to park tomorrow if we don't have a parking permit? Sunday?

We've been parking in the University Commons (Publix) parking garage but we probably aren't supposed to park there.
On Sat due to basketball game, best bet might be Ag Campus and take the free shuttle.

PARKING ADVISORY & IMPORTANT INFO

Parking for Saturday's game will be heavily affected due to the men's basketball game against Kentucky at 4 p.m. Please read the info below in regard to baseball parking for that day.
  • All fans without a baseball permit will be asked to utilize the free parking at the UT Ag Campus and take the free shuttles which will drop off at the corner of Lake Loudoun Blvd. and Chamique Holdsclaw Dr.
  • Shuttles will begin running at 11 a.m.
  • Shuttles will pick up at the corner of Lake Loudoun and Chamique Holdsclaw following the conclusion of the game.
  • Additional on-street parking may be available along West Volunteer Blvd. between the intersection of Volunteer Blvd., Todd Helton Dr. and Cumberland Ave.
 
#18
#18
Hope this is a GREAT DAY for Volunteers. A win by the Lady Vols over Bama, indoors so no weather issues, would be awesome! Two softball Lady Vols games and our baseball Vols 6:00 ET would make it a GREAT DAY. We have dodged rain for several games. It just stopped raining/showers in Southern Middle Tennessee. In the words of Jimmy Buffett - "Play on through".
 
#19
#19
On Sat due to basketball game, best bet might be Ag Campus and take the free shuttle.

PARKING ADVISORY & IMPORTANT INFO

Parking for Saturday's game will be heavily affected due to the men's basketball game against Kentucky at 4 p.m. Please read the info below in regard to baseball parking for that day.
  • All fans without a baseball permit will be asked to utilize the free parking at the UT Ag Campus and take the free shuttles which will drop off at the corner of Lake Loudoun Blvd. and Chamique Holdsclaw Dr.
  • Shuttles will begin running at 11 a.m.
  • Shuttles will pick up at the corner of Lake Loudoun and Chamique Holdsclaw following the conclusion of the game.
  • Additional on-street parking may be available along West Volunteer Blvd. between the intersection of Volunteer Blvd., Todd Helton Dr. and Cumberland Ave.
We parked, at no cost, up the street from the ball field. Worked for us. A little crazy getting out but, hanging out with fans after a win is priceless. We turned into Pat Summit from Volunteer. Fans around us were great.
 
#25
#25
On Sat due to basketball game, best bet might be Ag Campus and take the free shuttle.

PARKING ADVISORY & IMPORTANT INFO

Parking for Saturday's game will be heavily affected due to the men's basketball game against Kentucky at 4 p.m. Please read the info below in regard to baseball parking for that day.
  • All fans without a baseball permit will be asked to utilize the free parking at the UT Ag Campus and take the free shuttles which will drop off at the corner of Lake Loudoun Blvd. and Chamique Holdsclaw Dr.
  • Shuttles will begin running at 11 a.m.
  • Shuttles will pick up at the corner of Lake Loudoun and Chamique Holdsclaw following the conclusion of the game.
  • Additional on-street parking may be available along West Volunteer Blvd. between the intersection of Volunteer Blvd., Todd Helton Dr. and Cumberland Ave.
IMG_6847.jpeg
 

VN Store



Back
Top