Tennessee Vols morning report: Assistants recap sixth spring practice
With spring practice in full swing for the Tennessee Vols football team, a lot is set to happen this week. UT will hold its first scrimmage under Josh Heupel on Thursday, and they are continuing their practices ahead of that.
Our morning update on Rocky Top leads with coverage of those practices. With basketball season over, spring ball is the biggest story in Big Orange Country right now. However, there is plenty of news on the diamond still, as the baseball team had another matchup.
A softball event was cancelled, but there was still news regarding individual recognition. Beyond the diamond, the golf programs are both in the midst of events right now, and we’ll track the progress of each of them. Let’s start, though, with the football offseason coverage.
Two assistants recap football’s sixth spring practice – Austin Price, VolQuest.com
As the Tennessee Vols football team kicked off its third week of spring practice Tuesday, running backs coach Jerry Mack and cornerbacks coach Willie Martinez both met with the media. Mack discussed working with Tiyon Evans, Dee Beckwith, Jaylen Wright and Jabari Small. Here’s a bit of what he said about the group overall.
"“Every day we kind of come in and we focus on something to get better at. We choose two or three things that we know each man in that room has to get better at something individually and specific.”"
Martinez discussed the depth of the secondary and preparing it by going against the up-tempo offense Josh Heupel runs. Here’s a bit of what he said about his early takes on the group.
"“I think the guys in the backend have been locked in. I’ve just noticed how they pay attention to detail and it’s important to them. It’s not a big group. We don’t have the numbers there, but I guess you could say that about everybody on our team.”"
Baseball continues hot streak – Wes Rucker, GoVols247
After taking two of three at the Alabama Crimson Tide over the weekend, the No. 4 ranked Tennessee Vols baseball team improved to 25-5 on the year with a 10-1 win over the Eastern Kentucky Colonels. After the win, head coach Tony Vitello said he thinks his team can play a lot better going forward.
"Tennessee steps back into SEC play in a big way this weekend. The fourth-ranked Vols host ninth-ranked Florida at 6:30 p.m. Eastern on Friday, 7 p.m. Eastern on Saturday and 1 p.m. Eastern on Sunday. The Gators were ranked No. 1 nationally heading into the season and slipped a bit after some early stumbles but are back up to No. 9 after last weekend’s series win over third-ranked Ole Miss."
Softball doubleheader cancelled – Robert Holder, WATE
The Tennessee Lady Vols softball team’s scheduled doubleheader matchup with the ETSU Bucs was cancelled Tuesday due to a positive COVID case among UT’s program. Ranked No. 21 with a 28-6 record, UT is scheduled to next face the Mississippi State Bulldogs in a three-game series this weekend beginning on Friday.
"The NCAA defines Tier 1 personnel as student-athletes, coaches, athletic trainers and physical therapists, medical staff, equipment staff and officials. The case has not been identified.The action is consistent with requirements developed by the Southeastern Conference’s Medical Guidance Task Force."
Lady Vol named SEC Pitcher of the Week – SECSports.com
Coming off a series win over the Kentucky Wildcats in which Tennessee softball won two of three, junior right-handed pitcher Ashley Rogers was named SEC Pitcher of the Week. Rogers had three complete game wins last week over the Liberty Flames and Kentucky.
"Rogers gave up just two hits and struck out eight batters in the shutout over the Flames. In wins on Friday and Sunday over the Wildcats, Rogers threw 14.0 innings, allowing just three runs on six hits and fanning 23 batters as the Lady Vols earned their first SEC series win of the season."
Women’s golf enters final day of Tiger Golf Classic – UTSports
Through 36 holes, the Tennessee Lady Vols golf program finished Tuesday tied for eighth place at 17-over in the Tiger Golf Classic, hosted by the LSU Tigers. Tournament play will wrap up Wednesday with 18 holes.
"Sophomore Nicole Whiston led Tennessee through the first two rounds of the LSU Tiger Golf Classic on Tuesday.Whiston’s second round score of 4-under, 68, ties the best single round score of her career, in which she last recorded at the White Sands Invitational as a freshman last season."
Men’s golf enters final day of Birmingham Tournament – GolfStat.com
In the Collegiate Club Invitational at the Country Club of Birmingham, hosted by the Auburn Tigers, the Tennessee Vols men’s golf team enters the third day tied with the Clemson Tigers in the lead at three-over par. Redshirt sophomore Bryce Lewis leads everybody at nine-under par. Nobody else is better than three-under par. Tournament play will wrap up Wednesday.