KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 22 Tennessee hosts SEC Eastern Division rival No. 24 South Carolina for its SEC home-opening series at Lindsey Nelson Stadium this weekend.

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Game Times & Broadcast Info

Opponent: No. 24 South Carolina Gamecocks
Location: Knoxville, Tenn.
Venue: Lindsey Nelson Stadium (4,283)
Watch: SEC Network+ (WatchESPN)
Listen: Vol Network (FM 99.1 / AM 990) | UTSports.com
Live Stats: UTSports.com
Game 1: Friday, March 22 – 6:30 p.m. (WATCH)
Game 2: Saturday, March 23 – 6 p.m. (WATCH)
Game 3: Sunday, March 24 – 2 p.m. (WATCH)
Tickets: AllVols.com

No. 22 Tennessee (18-4, 0-3 SEC)

Roster Schedule Stats Game Notes

No. 24 South Carolina (15-6, 0-3 SEC)

Roster Schedule Stats Game Notes

The Vols remained undefeated in midweek games and hold an 18-1 record against non-conference opponents after a 5-1 win at East Tennessee State on Tuesday night. They welcome the Gamecocks for a three-game series with Game One slated for Friday at 6:30 p.m.

Broadcast Info
All three games will be streamed online via SEC Network+ and the WatchESPN app. Fans can also listen to all three games on the Vol Radio Network (FM 99.1 / AM 990) as well as on UTSports.com and the UT Gameday App.

Projected Starting Pitchers
Friday: RHP Garrett Stallings (4-1, 1.27 ERA) vs. RHP Wesley Sweatt (1-1, 3.45 ERA)
Saturday: RHP Zach Linginfelter (4-1, 1.88 ERA) vs. RHP Reid Morgan (2-0, 2.70 ERA)
Sunday: RHP Will Neely (2-1, 5.79 ERA) vs. TBA

Series History vs. South Carolina
Overall: South Carolina leads, 64-36
In Knoxville: South Carolina leads, 23-20
In Columbia: South Carolina leads, 38-14
Neutral Sites: South Carolina leads, 3-2
Last Meeting: March 31, 2018 in Knoxville (L, 6-3)

This will be the first time the two teams meet in Knoxville since 2017 when South Carolina swept UT. The Vols will be looking for their first win in the series since 2015 when they took 2-of-3 from the Gamecocks in Knoxville.

Need to Know

This weekend's series will be the first between two ranked teams at Lindsey Nelson Stadium since No. 21 UT and No. 7 South Carolina squared off on March 17-19, 2017.
With Tuesday's victory over East Tennessee State, the Vols improved to 7-0 in midweek games this season. More impressively, Tennessee has outscored its six midweek opponents by a 58-11 margin.
Tennessee's pitching staff leads the nation with a 0.97 WHIP and six shutouts while ranking third with a 2.24 ERA and fifth with a 3.75 strikeout-to-walk ratio. It also ranks second in the SEC in hits allowed per nine innings (5.97) and fourth in walks allowed per nine innings (2.80).
UT's bullpen has been nearly untouchable as eight pitchers out of the pen have an ERA of 2.00 or lower with five having a perfect 0.00 ERA. The bullpen has a 1.89 ERA overall and 108 strikeouts compared to just 31 walks in 76.1 innings pitched.
Taking the rubber Friday night, Tennessee's rotation is led by Garrett Stallings, who ranks fifth in the nation in strikeout-to-walk ratio (14:1). Stallings boasts a 4-1 record this season while carrying a 1.27 ERA, striking out a team-high 42 batters over 35.1 innings of work.
Andre Lipcius will look to extend his team-high 21 game on-base streak on Friday night. The junior has a hit in 14 of the last 15 games this season while also leading the team with 23 RBIs.
Junior college transfer Alerick Soularie enters the weekend with a team-best nine-game hit streak. He has six home runs over the course of the streak while leading the team with seven total on the season. His .754 slugging percentage ranks second in the SEC.
On the bases, Jay Charleston leads the conference with 17 steals this season. The junior, who has only been caught stealing once this season, ranks sixth nationally in stolen bases.

Opponent Scout
South Carolina Gamecocks (15-6, 0-3 SEC)

2018 Record: 37-26 (17-13 SEC)
2018 Postseason: NCAA Fayetteville Super Regional (1-2)
South Carolina was picked to finish fourth in the SEC East Preseason Coaches' Poll, just one spot ahead of the Vols.
The Gamecocks are led by head coach Mark Kingston, who is in his second season with the program. Kingston spent the previous three seasons at South Florida where he helped lead the Bulls to two NCAA Regional appearances.
South Carolina comes into the series ranked second in the country in home runs with 39 so far this season (1.86 home runs per game). USC has five players in the lineup with four or more homers this season.
Offensively, the Gamecocks are led by senior utility man Jacob Olson and senior outfielder TJ Hopkins, who enter this weekend's series tied for the team lead in batting average, hitting at a .345 clip. Olson and Hopkins also are tied for the conference lead in home runs with eight apiece, which is also tied for eighth nationally.
On the mound, South Carolina is led by Saturday-night starter Reid Morgan. The right hander is 2-0 with a 2.70 ERA and has struck out 30 batters in 33.1 innings pitched this season.

Game Promotions
Upcoming promotions for all Tennessee athletics home events can be found on the UT Fan Experience page by clicking HERE.

ALL GAMES THIS SEASON

Kids Combo: Corn dog, chips and a drink for just $6!

FRIDAY

Big Orange Friday: Buy one general admission ticket, get one general admission ticket FREE! Print your Big Orange Friday voucher HERE and be sure to wear ORANGE to the game.
Ceremonial First Pitch: VFL Luke Hochevar

SATURDAY

Baseball Bingo: Pick up your Bingo card at the Fan HQ Tent located on the plaza.
Family Four Pack: Four tickets, four hot dogs and four drinks for only $40! Purchase today at AllVols.com .

SUNDAY

Pups on the Patio: Come enjoy a fun day at the ballpark with your dog! Purchase your package today AllVols.com.
Kids Day: All kids 12 and under receive free admission. Run the bases and get postgame autographs from select players (Weather Permitting).

On Deck for the Vols
The Vols will host ETSU for a midweek game on Tuesday next week before traveling to in-state rival Vanderbilt next weekend. UT's midweek contest against the Buccaneers will be streamed live on SEC Network+ and the WatchESPN app.

Gameday/Stadium Policies & Information
Clear Bag Policy
In an effort to enhance safety and expedite fan entry at Tennessee athletic events, UT has implemented a clear bag policy at Lindsey Nelson Stadium and all other athletic facilities. Only one clear bag no larger than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches (gallon size) per person is permitted. Fans are also allowed a small clutch purse not exceeding 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches. Gates will open until 90 minutes prior to game time.

Parking
Baseball parking is located in Lots G16, GF2, GF3, GF4, and C22. (Thompson-Boling Arena and Neyland Stadium events have priority if on same days as baseball games.)

Additional parking is located on the street along Todd Helton Drive. Parking for MVP ticket holders is located in Lot GF1 and handicap parking is located in marked handicap spaces on Pat Head Summitt Drive and G16 Garage.

Please refer to the parking map by clicking HERE.

Other Info
All of the information listed above and more can be found on the Tennessee Baseball Gameday Information page HERE.

Baseball Central: No. 22 Tennessee vs. No. 24 South Carolina

MORE INFO

Game Times & Broadcast Info

No. 22 Tennessee (18-4, 0-3 SEC)

No. 24 South Carolina (15-6, 0-3 SEC)

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Jay Charleston

Zach Linginfelter

Andre Lipcius

Will Neely

Alerick Soularie

Garrett Stallings

University of Tennessee Athletics

Baseball Central: No. 22 Tennessee vs. No. 24 South Carolina

MORE INFO

Game Times & Broadcast Info

No. 22 Tennessee (18-4, 0-3 SEC)

No. 24 South Carolina (15-6, 0-3 SEC)

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Jay Charleston

Zach Linginfelter

Andre Lipcius

Will Neely

Alerick Soularie

Garrett Stallings

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