KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 15 Tennessee will look to keep its hot start to the season going this weekend as Iona visits Lindsey Nelson Stadium for a three-game series starting on Friday.
The Vols are off to a 4-0 start after a series sweep of Georgia Southern and a midweek victory over UNC Asheville on Wednesday. UT has won its first seven games of the season in each of the past three seasons and has a chance to extend that streak to four years with a sweep this weekend.
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.
Parking Advisory for Saturday’s Game
With Tennessee men’s basketball hosting Auburn at 4 p.m. on Saturday, the G-16 garage will only be available for those with parking passes for the basketball game. All other normal baseball lots will be open.
TICKET INFORMATION
Season tickets for this season are SOLD OUT. However, single-game tickets for all home games through March 15 are still available at AllVols.com or by calling the Tennessee Athletic ticket office at 865-656-1200.
Single-game tickets for SEC games and the remaining midweek contests will go on sale Tuesday, March 1.
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 games of this weekend’s series will be streamed live online on SEC Network+ and the ESPN app as Andy Brock (PxP) and VFL Cody Hawn (analyst) call 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 live audio call by John Wilkerson and Vince Ferrara on UTSports.com or the UT Gameday App.
PROJECTED STARTING PITCHERS
Game 1: RHP Chase Burns (1-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. RHP Paul Sullivan (0-1, 2.08 ERA)
Game 2: RHP Chase Dollander (0-0, 5.40 ERA) vs. LHP Blake Helmstetter (0-1, 7.04 ERA)
Game 3: TBD vs. RHP Nick Chiaia (0-1, 18.00 ERA)
SERIES HISTORY
Overall: 0-0 (First Meeting)
In Knoxville: 0-0
In New Rochelle : 0-0
Neutral Sites: 0-0
Last Meeting: No Prior Meetings
NOTABLE
Another Season-Opening Sweep
Tennessee recorded its fourth straight season-opening sweep with three dominant wins over Georgia Southern last weekend. The Vols outscored the Eagles, 33-3, and posted a pair of shutouts. In their four consecutive season-opening series sweeps (12 games), the Big Orange have outscored their opponents 106-16.
Pitching Staff Off to Hot Start
The Vols pitching was dominant in its season-opening series against Georgia Southern, holding the Eagles to just three runs on 13 hits over the weekend while posting a pair of shutouts. UT held GSU’s hitters to a .144 batting average and allowed just three hits in each of the two shutouts. Tennessee’s pitching staff has recorded at least two shutouts in their opening series in three of the past four years. UT followed that up with another impressive outing in Wednesday’s win over UNC Asheville, holding the Bulldogs to just one run on four hits while racking up 18 strikeouts.
Newcomers Making an Early Impact
Tennessee has received early contributions from a handful of newcomers already this season. In total, 14 players have made their UT debuts through the first four games.
Highly touted freshman pitcher Chase Burns started on Opening Day and threw five shutout innings to earn his first-career victory. Sophomore transfer Chase Dollander was equally as impressive in his start on Saturday, striking out 11 batters in just five innings against his former team. Freshman Drew Beam got the start on Sunday and tossed three shutout innings, as well.
Junior college transfer Seth Stephenson made his presence felt at the plate and on the base paths, hitting .500 with team highs in runs scored (six) and stolen bases (three). He also has a pair of doubles, six RBIs and is tied for the team lead with two home runs.
Four Baggers
After finishing last season as one of the national leaders in home runs with 98, the Vols haven’t skipped a beat in 2022, belting 11 homers through four games, which is tied for fourth nationally. Eight different players have already gone deep for the Big Orange this season, led by Jorel Ortega, Trey Lipscomb and Stephenson with two apiece.
OPPONENT SCOUT
Iona Gaels
- 2021 Record: 3-11 (3-11 MAAC)
- 2021 MAAC Finish: 11th
- 2022 MAAC Preseason Poll: 9th
- Head Coach: Conor Burke (1st season)
- Preseason Honors: N/A
- Stat Leaders:
- Batting Avg: Jake Field (.500)
- Runs: Jake Field (2)
- Hits: Jake Field (5)
- Home Runs: Jake Field (1)
- RBI: Field/Lotito/Pasquale (1)
- Stolen Bases: Nick Forney (1)
- Wins: N/A
- Saves: N/A
- ERA (min. 1 IP/G): Paul Sullivan (2.08)
- WHIP (min. 1 IP/G): Paul Sullivan (0.92)
- Innings Pitched: Blake Helmstetter (7.2)
- Strikeouts: Paul Sullivan (8)
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 conclude their season-opening homestand with an in-state battle against ETSU on Tuesday, March 1. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. and will feature a live stream on WatchESPN.com and the ESPN app. Tickets for the game can be purchased by visiting AllVols.com.