Tennessee at #20 Arkansas: Weekend Series Thread

With two weekends left in the season time is running out for the Vols to secure a spot in the SEC tournament. This weekend they travel to Fayetteville to take on the #20 Arkansas Razorbacks. Tennessee is currently sitting last in the SEC, a half game behind Georgia and a game behind Mississippi State and Alabama.

Things went well for Tennessee in their midweek match up Wednesday against Belmont. The Vols scored seven runs on eleven hits to take the victory over the Bruins 7-2. Eight pitchers combined to give up two runs on nine hits and a walk for Tennessee.

Tennessee and Arkansas have played 55 games dating back to 1992, with the Razorbacks leading the series 30-25. The last time the teams met were in May of 2013, when Arkansas won two-of-three against UT in Fayetteville. The last time the Vols won a series against Arkansas was in 2005.

Arkansas is led by center fielder Andrew Benintendi, who should win the SEC Player of the Year award once the season ends.  He currently leads the SEC in batting average and home runs, and is four behind the leader in RBIs.  He's attempting to become only the second SEC player ever to win the triple crown (Rafael Palmeiro with Mississippi State in 1980).  He's also third in the SEC in runs scored and stolen bases.

The Vols are looking for their third SEC series win this weekend, and will probably need it to keep their chances alive to make the SEC tournament. It also appears that Bret Marks will not start for the second weekend in a row due to his injured shoulder. Hopefully the other pitchers show up this weekend and give the Vols a chance to fight their way into the Tournament next week.

Tennessee Volunteers (19-24) (7-17 SEC) at #20 Arkansas Razorbacks (29-18) (14-10 SEC)

Date: Friday-Sunday May 8-10, 2015

First Pitch: 7:35 p.m. ET Friday, 7:05 p.m. ET Saturday, 1:05 p.m. ET Sunday at Baum Stadium, Fayetteville, Ark

Live Audio: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday via UTSports

Internet Video: WatchESPN for all three games

Live Stats: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday via Arkansas

Probable Starting Pitchers:
UT LHP Andy Cox (1-3, 3.60 ERA) vs UA RHP Trey Killian (2-3, 5.40 ERA)
UT RHP Hunter Martin (1-2, 4.76 ERA) vs UA RHP Dominic Taccolini (6-3, 4.57 ERA)
UT LHP Drake Owenby (2-6, 4.63 ERA) vs UA RHP Keaton McKinney (4-1, 3.06 ERA)

Players to Keep an Eye on:

Go Vols!