After a rough SEC home opening series against Auburn, Dave Serrano's Tennessee Vols travel to Columbia, South Carolina looking to start another winning streak. It won't be an easy task against the #2 South Carolina Gamecocks. South Carolina won the 2010 and 2011 College World Series, and finished 2nd in 2012. South Carolina is also looking to bounce back after dropping a road series against Kentucky (including a 13-5 troucing on Friday).
The Vols have the midweek off this week, and it couldn't have come at a better time. The Vols had issues Friday and Saturday getting hits with runners in scoring position, but seemed to have finally found a solution on Sunday. Hopefully they'll clear their heads this week and not snap back into the hitting slump. Tennessee is now 19-4 on the season, and even at 3-3 in SEC play.
Tennessee in the Polls: Collegiate Baseball #21 (Last week 14), Perfect Game #20 (16), USA Today Coaches' Poll #21 (16), Baseball America #22 (18), National Collegiate Baseball Writers #23 (21)
What the Vols are Doing Well:
Stolen Bases - 49 total. 4th Nationally. 1st SEC.
Fielding Percentage - .983. 7th Nationally. 2nd SEC.
Triples - 10 total. 16th Nationally. 1st SEC.
WHIP - 1.15. 24th Nationally. 5th SEC.
Earned Run Average - 2.67. 30th Nationally. 7th SEC.
On Base Percentage - .386. 33rd Nationally. 2nd SEC.
Runs - 149 total. 36th Nationally. 3rd SEC.
Last Week: 2-2
- Tuesday March 18, 2014 vs Austin Peay: Vols 8 - APSU 7. Tennessee got off to a fast start, scoring 5 runs across the first 3 innings. Kyle Serrano ran into a lot of problems in the 4th though, allowing Austin Peay to tie the game up at 5. The Vols managed to again gain a lead, but blew it in the top of the 9th giving up a 1 out RBI single. Taylor Smart managed to get a walk-off RBI single in the 12th to win the game. It was his 2nd walk off on the season.
- Friday March 21, 2014 vs Auburn: Auburn 3, Vols 2. Auburn managed to score twice in the first, and once in the 6th to build an early 3-0 lead. The Vols loaded the bases three times during the game, but only managed 2 runs in those opportunities. 11 runners were left on base, and the Vols were 1 for 10 with runners in scoring position.
- Saturday March 22, 2014 vs Auburn: Auburn 4 - Vols 2. In what was almost a mirror of Friday, the Vols got off to a slow start and allowed Auburn to build a 4-0 lead. Once again the Vols plated 2 in the 8th, but were unable to get any closer.
- Sunday March 23, 2014 vs Auburn: Vols 8 - Auburn 6. The bats finally came alive for Tennessee on Sunday, Building a quick 5-0 lead through 3 innings. Auburn responded with 2 home runs to close the gap to 5-4 (only the 5th and 6th homers allowed by UT's staff on the season). Tennessee tacked on 3 more runs before the 9th, which were needed because Auburn loaded the bases with one out in the 9th. After a bases loaded walk, and a sacrifice fly, David Houser threw out Auburn's runner while attempting to steal to end the game.
This Week: ?-?
- Midweek - OFF
- #20 Tennessee ( 19-4) (3-3) at #2 South Carolina (19-3) (3-3)
March 28-30, 2014
First pitch: 7 p.m. ET Friday, 4 p.m. ET Saturday, and 1:30 p.m. Sunday at Carolina Stadium, Columbia, SC
Live Audio: Friday, Saturday, Sunday via UT Sports
Internet Video: Friday, Saturday, Sunday via Gamecocks Online
Live Stats: Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Probable Starting Pitchers: UT RHP Nick Williams (3-2, 1.88 ERA) vs SC LHP Jordan Montgomery (3-2, 4.99)
UT RHP Hunter Martin (2-1, 0.98) vs SC LHP Jack Wynkoop (4-1, 1.98)
UT RHP Andrew Lee (3-0, 3.94) vs SC RHP Wil Crowe (5-0, 1.63)