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The Sultan Of Swat
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Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles
(13-11) Overall (1-2) OVC
@
Tennessee Volunteers
(21-4) Overall (3-3) SEC
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – For the second time this season, No. 5/5 Tennessee hosts an in-state foe for a midweek game as Tennessee Tech makes the short trip from Cookeville for Tuesday's night Volunteer State battle at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. The Vols enter the week coming off their first SEC series win of the year after winning a rubber game against No. 17 Ole Miss on Sunday afternoon, 15-4.
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.
in Knoxville: Vols lead, 47-13
in Cookeville: Vols lead, 25-18-1
at Neutral Sites: Golden Eagles lead, 1-0
Last Meeting: L, 12-5 – April 18, 2023 in Knoxville
The Volunteers will be looking to snap a two-game losing streak to the Golden Eagles after dropping midweek contests to them in each of the last two seasons. Prior to those two losses, UT had won six of the last seven games in the series.
Tennessee has been nearly automatic in midweek games under head coach Tony Vitello, posting a 71-10 record during his tenure, including a 61-6 record since the start of the 2019 season. The Vols are a perfect 7-0 in midweek contests this season.
The Vols have also had great success against in-state opponents over the past few years, posting a 14-2 record since 2022 against fellow Volunteer State foes (1-0 this season). The only two defeats in that span have come at the hands of Tennessee Tech.
Home Run Record Chase Heating Up
UT's talented duo of Blake Burke and Christian Moore are in hot pursuit of the program's all-time home run record of 40 held by Luc Lipcius (2017-22). Burke enters this week with 38 while Moore is right behind him with 37 after hitting three last week. Burke is currently tied for third in program history with UT legend and Pro Baseball Hall of Famer Todd Helton (1993-95) while Moore is tied for fifth with Doug Hecker (1990-92). Moore is tied for the team lead and ninth in the SEC with 10 homers this season while Burke is one of four players tied for third on the team with eight long balls.
Tears Tearing It Up
Redshirt sophomore Kavares Tears is having a breakout season and enters this week leading the team and ranking third in the SEC in batting average (.405) and runs scored (35). The Lewisburg, Tennessee, native has recorded at least one hit in 21 of the 24 games he's played in this year. Tears also leads the team with a .500 on-base percentage and ranks in the top-10 in the SEC in on-base percentage and slugging percentage (.772) after racking up 13 extra-base hits with five doubles and eight home runs this season.
In four games last week, Tears led the team in numerous offensive categories, batting .538 with seven hits, eight runs, a .647 on-base percentage and a 1.077 slugging percentage. He also homered twice and drove in four runs.
(13-11) Overall (1-2) OVC
@
Tennessee Volunteers
(21-4) Overall (3-3) SEC
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – For the second time this season, No. 5/5 Tennessee hosts an in-state foe for a midweek game as Tennessee Tech makes the short trip from Cookeville for Tuesday's night Volunteer State battle at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. The Vols enter the week coming off their first SEC series win of the year after winning a rubber game against No. 17 Ole Miss on Sunday afternoon, 15-4.
BROADCAST INFO
Tuesday's game will be streamed on SEC Network+ and the ESPN app with Zack Nelson (PxP) and Caylan Arnold (analyst) on the call.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.
SERIES HISTORY
Overall: Vols lead, 72-32-1in Knoxville: Vols lead, 47-13
in Cookeville: Vols lead, 25-18-1
at Neutral Sites: Golden Eagles lead, 1-0
Last Meeting: L, 12-5 – April 18, 2023 in Knoxville
The Volunteers will be looking to snap a two-game losing streak to the Golden Eagles after dropping midweek contests to them in each of the last two seasons. Prior to those two losses, UT had won six of the last seven games in the series.
NOTABLE
Midweek Dominance & In-State Success Under VitelloTennessee has been nearly automatic in midweek games under head coach Tony Vitello, posting a 71-10 record during his tenure, including a 61-6 record since the start of the 2019 season. The Vols are a perfect 7-0 in midweek contests this season.
The Vols have also had great success against in-state opponents over the past few years, posting a 14-2 record since 2022 against fellow Volunteer State foes (1-0 this season). The only two defeats in that span have come at the hands of Tennessee Tech.
Home Run Record Chase Heating Up
UT's talented duo of Blake Burke and Christian Moore are in hot pursuit of the program's all-time home run record of 40 held by Luc Lipcius (2017-22). Burke enters this week with 38 while Moore is right behind him with 37 after hitting three last week. Burke is currently tied for third in program history with UT legend and Pro Baseball Hall of Famer Todd Helton (1993-95) while Moore is tied for fifth with Doug Hecker (1990-92). Moore is tied for the team lead and ninth in the SEC with 10 homers this season while Burke is one of four players tied for third on the team with eight long balls.
Tears Tearing It Up
Redshirt sophomore Kavares Tears is having a breakout season and enters this week leading the team and ranking third in the SEC in batting average (.405) and runs scored (35). The Lewisburg, Tennessee, native has recorded at least one hit in 21 of the 24 games he's played in this year. Tears also leads the team with a .500 on-base percentage and ranks in the top-10 in the SEC in on-base percentage and slugging percentage (.772) after racking up 13 extra-base hits with five doubles and eight home runs this season.
In four games last week, Tears led the team in numerous offensive categories, batting .538 with seven hits, eight runs, a .647 on-base percentage and a 1.077 slugging percentage. He also homered twice and drove in four runs.
OPPONENT SCOUT
Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles (13-11, 1-2 OVC)- Head Coach: Matt Bragga (18th season)
- 2023 Record: 21-34 (10-14 OVC)
- 2023 Postseason: N/A
- Rankings: N/A
- 2024 OVC Preseason Poll: 6th
- Preseason All-Conference Selections (1)
- C Hayden Gilliland
- Stat Leaders:
- Batting Avg: Tanner Shiver (.359)
- Runs: Austin Turner (29)
- Hits: Troy Baunsgard (31)
- Home Runs: Preston Steele (7)
- RBI: Hayden Gilliland (27)
- Stolen Bases: Austin Turner (11)
- Wins: Calitri & Pease (3)
- Saves: Jack Erdman (3)
- ERA (min. 15 IP): Peyton Calitri (2.31)
- Innings Pitched: Peyton Calitri (39.0)
- Strikeouts: Peyton Calitri (40)
ON DECK
The Vols host No. 24 Georgia for a three-game set this weekend in Knoxville. First pitch for Friday's series opener is slated for 6:30 p.m. on SEC Network+ and the ESPN app. The final two games of the series will be televised on the SEC Network.
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