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Feb. 20, 2012
Relive the opening day of the 2012 Tennessee baseball season through the lens of UT photographer Wade Rackley. Follow the timeline below for a blow-by-blow account of the day's events.
7:01 AM ET The First to Arrive
Parking attendant Patrick Webber was the first to arrive at Lindsey Nelson Stadium on Opening Day, opening the gate for the parking lot at 7 a.m.
7:51 AM ET Just because it is gameday, doesn't mean class is cancelled
Seniors Zach Osborne and Wes Walker walk to their 8 a.m. class in the Humanities Building.
8:04 AM ET Lone Mower
A member of the grounds crew mows the field in preparation for the afternoon's season opener.
8:22 AM ET Down the Line
A look down the left-field line early Friday morning.
8:24 AM ET Blue Skies, Orange Foul Pole
The new orange foul poles are one of the many new additions that give Lindsey Nelson Stadium a unique look.
8:41 AM ET Finishing Touches
The finishing touches being applied to Lindsey Nelson Stadium as new banners, created by Project Phantom, are hung outside the stadium.
9:05 AM ET Andy and Alison in the Morning
Coach Serrano joins Andy and Alison on the WIVK morning show.
9:45 AM ET Win the Next Pitch
More work from Project Phantom as they work on a wall mural on The Strip
10:52 AM ET Everything is ready to go
The lockers are fully equipped and ready for the team to arrive for the afternoon contest.
1:40 PM ET Getting his hands dirty
UT manager Matt McCoy gets his hands dirty as he rubs the game balls down with a special rubbing mud.
2:00 PM ET First fan through the gates
Paul Steckenrider, the father of UT's opening day starter Drew Steckenrider, is the first fan through the gates of Lindsey Nelson Stadium in 2012.
2:06 PM ET First hot dog sold
It doesn't take long for the first hot dog to be sold after the gates open.
2:17 PM ET View from The Porch
Some of the first fans to enter the stadium in 2012 take in the view from The Porch in left field.
2:33 PM ET Taking some hacks
Senior shortstop Zach Osborne takes some hacks in pregame batting practice.
3:31 PM ET Chalking the lines
With batting practice complete for both teams, the grounds crew begins chalking the lines for the game.
3:36 PM ET Bergeron talks them up
Associate head coach Greg Bergeron talks with a few members of the team before the game.
3:41 PM ET Getting the batter's box ready
Supervised by Jimmy Andes, members of the grounds crew measure out and chalk the batter's box.
3:55 PM ET Coaches meeting
Coach Serrano shakes hands with NIU head coach Ed Mathey in the pre-game coaches meeting at home plate.
4:00 PM ET National Anthem
The team lines up down the first-base line for the national anthem.
4:07 PM ET First Out
Senior Davis Morgan squeezes a pop-up to first for the first out of the 2012 season.
4:14 PM ET First Tennessee Batter is Plunked
Junior Zach Luther is the first Tennessee batter of the season and gets hit by a pitch.
5:11 PM ET He's Safe!
Senior Wes Walker slides in safely at home following a double by freshman Jared Allen in the fifth inning.
5:30 PM ET Record-Breaking Crowd
A school-record for opening day 2,812 fans were on hand for Friday's contest.
5:42 PM ET Osborne at the Plate
Senior Zach Osborne steps up to the plate with Zach Luther on third base in the seventh inning.
5:58 PM ET Touch 'em All!
Junior Drew Steckenrider rounds the bases after launching a solo home run, the second of his career, in the eighth inning.
6:23 PM ET Vols Win!
The Vols congratulate their teammates in the postgame handshake line after finishing off a 7-1 victory.
6:41 PM ET Serrano meets the media
Tennessee head coach Dave Serrano meets with the media following his team's win.
6:55 PM ET Scoreboard says it all
The scoreboard in right field provides the line score for the Volunteer victory.
7:21 PM ET Let's do it again tomorrow!
The grounds crew tarps the field and prepares it for a Saturday doubleheader.
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