March 9, 2009

The Tennessee baseball teams looks to continue its four-game winning streak this week when it hosts a pair of non-conference games against Western Kentucky on Tuesday and Louisville on Wednesday at Robert M. Lindsay Field at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. First pitch for both games is set for 4 p.m.

The Volunteers sport a 6-5 (0-0 SEC) record entering midweek play and are coming off a four-game sweep of Ohio this weekend. UT is 6-3 overall at home this year. Tennessee is hitting .316 as a team, led by sophomore Blake Forsythe with a .395 average. First baseman Cody Hawn had the hot bat for the Vols this weekend, going 10-for-17 at the plate with five home runs and 11 RBI.

The Hilltoppers bring a 9-2 (3-0 Sun Belt) record into Tuesday's game and are hitting .360 as a team with a 4.25 staff ERA. First basemen Jake Wells leads the club with a .452 average including 19 hits, one home run and seven RBI. Right fielder Chad Cregar leads the team with 19 RBIs on the season. The senior has hit a team-high six home runs.

Vols freshman Adam Adkins (0-0, 0.00 ERA) will start on the mound Tuesday, while WKU's starting pitch is undetermined.

Tennessee trails the all-time series with Western Kentucky 1-2, dating back to 1985. The last time the two teams met was April 9, 1986; a 5-2 victory for the Vols.

Louisville has an 8-4 (0-0 Big East) record through 12 games this season, but have struggled on the road with 0-4 record away from Jim Patterson Stadium. The Cardinals are batting .310 with a 4.39 staff ERA. Second baseman Adam Duvall is tops on the team with a .381 average. Third baseman Chris Dominguez leads the team with five home runs and 22 RBI.

Wednesday's starting pitchers have not yet been announced.

Tennessee leads the all-times series with Louisville 10-4 dating back to 1927. The Vols won the last meeting between the two teams, a 7-6 victory last season in Louisville, Ky.