Happy 4/20. Tennessee Vols fans are certainly feeling some sort of high right now given the success their programs are having. Football scored another huge in-state commitment Monday, which you can read about here, and wins continue coming on the diamond.
Our morning update on Rocky Top has a heavy focus on the diamond, as the baseball program had a solid midweek win, and the softball program is about to take part in a huge midweek top five matchup. A softball award for the previous week also made news.
Beyond the diamond, we’ve got a track and field weekly award to cover and then a men’s golf postseason event to preview that’s set to begin today, so there’s plenty of midweek coverage. Let’s start with baseball.
Josh Elander recaps baseball win vs. Bellarmine – Wes Rucker, GoVols247
In their second game of Tony Vitello’s suspension, the No. 1 ranked Tennessee Vols baseball team beat the Bellarmine Knights 9-3 to improve to 34-3 and 14-1 in the SEC. They will visit the Florida Gators this weekend. Acting head coach Josh Elander discussed the victory afterward Tuesday. Here’s a bit of what he said about dealing with being acting head coach.
"“You know, it’s been stressful. I’ll be honest. Especially those first four innings (Tuesday night), when they did a good job of keeping us off balance. But you know, we have great people in this building, from Coach V (Tony Vitello) all the way down.”"
SEC recognizes softball shortstop – SECSports
Thanks to her efforts in all four wins last weekend by the Tennessee Lady Vols softball team, including a sweep of the Texas A&M Aggies, Ivy Davis was named SEC Co-Player of the Week. She’s the first UT player to win the award this year.
"Tennessee’s Ivy Davis, a graduate student shortstop from Huntington Beach, Calif., posted a team-high .714 batting average in the win at Western Carolina and the series sweep over Texas A&M. Davis registered a double and a game-tying single in game one against the Aggies, two RBI in game two and reached base three times Monday night with two HBP and a walk."
Softball to face Virginia Tech – UTSports
Coming off a sweep of Texas A&M, the Lady Vols softball team, ranked in the top 20 across the board, has a huge midweek matchup at home against the Virginia Tech Hokies, who are ranked as high as No. 3. After this, they have the Lady Vol Challenge this weekend.
"The top-15 matchup will air on ESPN, with first pitch scheduled for 7 p.m. at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium. Limited tickets are available at AllVols.com and can also be purchased at the Sherri Parker Lee ticket office when gates open to the public one hour prior to first pitch."
Track and field freshman recognized by SEC – SECSports
Thanks to his 8.06m leap at the War Eagle Invitational last Friday, Tennessee Vols track and field jumper Wayne Pinnock was named SEC Freshman of the Week. It’s the first time Pinnock was recognized for a weekly award by the league.
"With the mark, the Kingston, Jamaica, native leads the SEC and is tied for the best wind legal jump in the nation this season. Pinnock also set the Tennessee freshman record with the leap, surpassing the old rookie record of 7.89m (25-10.75) set by Greg Neal in 1982."
Men’s golf set for SEC Championships – UTSports
Wednesday marks the start of SEC Championships for the Tennessee Vols men’s golf program. Play will take place in St. Simons Island, Ga., at the Sea Island Golf Club.
"The event, which runs from Wednesday through Sunday, features both stroke and match play. The top eight teams following Friday’s third round of stroke play advance to match play, with the quarterfinals and semifinals on Saturday and the championship on Sunday."