SOFTBALL CENTRAL: #5 UT Hosts #15/18 Arkansas in SEC Home Opener

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- The No. 5 Lady Vols (24-4) host No. 15/18 Arkansas (21-7) in their SEC home opener at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium this weekend (3/22-24).

Tennessee is 2-1 in Southeastern Conference play so far in 2019 after taking the first two games of the series from then-No. 4 Florida in Gainesville on March 8-10. The Orange and White most recently threw back-to-back shutouts versus Liberty and North Carolina on a midweek road trip.

Broadcast Info

Friday, March 22

Time: 4 p.m. ET
Radio: UTSports.com | UT Gameday App
Live Stats: UTSports.com
Broadcast: ESPNU

Saturday, March 23

Time: 6 p.m. ET
Radio: UTSports.com | UT Gameday App
Live Stats: UTSports.com
Broadcast: SEC Network

Sunday, March 24

Time: 12 p.m. ET
Radio: UTSports.com | UT Gameday App
Live Stats: UTSports.com
Broadcast: ESPNU

Need to Know

Tennessee ranks second in the Southeastern Conference with a .343 batting average and .984 fielding percentage. The Lady Vols' average at the plate ranks ninth in the nation while their FLD % is fourth.
In the SEC, UT comes in at third in on-base percentage (.429), strikeout-to-walk ratio (5.05) and W/L percentage (.857).
Freshman Kaili Phillips became the first Lady Vol since Madison Shipman in 2014 to hit homers in four straight games. From 2/28-3/9, Phillip's notched eight hits with six home runs in 14 at-bats.
Aubrey Leach is 19 runs shy of breaking Tennessee's career record for runs scored. She currently has 225 runs scored through 208 games. The record of 244 was set by Raven Chavanne from 2010-13. Leach also sits in third place in career walks with 141. Tonya Callahan (2005-08) holds the record of 154.
Leach is the NCAA active career leader in runs scored across all divisions with her total of 225. Her 141 walks rank second in Division I.
The Lady Vols have outscored their opponents 196-48 so far this season. In the first inning alone, UT has scored 53 runs compared to its opponents who have only scored six.

Scouting Report

ARKANSAS

Courtney Deifel is in her fourth season at the helm of the program. In 2018, Arkansas wrapped up the year with a 42-17 record and earned the program's first-ever NCAA national seed. It hosted the Fayetteville Regional on its way to securing a spot in the Norman Super Regional. For their efforts, the coaching staff earned 2018 NFCA Division I South Region Staff of the Year.
Arkansas is coming off a 2-1 weekend against #16 South Carolina, highlighted by a go-ahead grand slam by Ashley Diaz in the series finale that helped secure a 7-4 victory and the series.
Danie Gibson leads the Razorbacks at the plate with a .427 batting average, seven home runs and 32 RBI. Her .813 slugging percentage is also tops on the squad,
In the circle, Arkansas is paced by Autumn Storms who owns a 1.89 ERA, 100 strikeouts and 10-2 record through 92.2 innings of work. She's allowed 48 runs (25 earned) on 86 hits.

All-Time Record vs. Arkansas: 37-16

In Knoxville: UT leads, 21-2
In Fayetteville: UT leads, 15-12
At Neutral Sites: ARK leads, 2-1
Last Meeting: UT won, 5-1 on 3/19/17 in Fayetteville

For the latest news and information on the Lady Vols, follow Tennessee softball on Twitter (@Vol_Softball), Facebook (Vol Softball), Instagram (@Vol_Softball) and UTSports.com/Softball.