March 30, 2009

The Tennessee baseball team looks to get back on track with two midweek contests against non-conference opponents ETSU and Charleston Southern. The Vols will travel to Johnson City, Tenn., for a 7:15 matchup with the Bucs before returning to Knoxville to host CSU on Wednesday. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

The Volunteers (11-15) are coming off a three-game sweep at the hands of top-ranked Georgia. Tennessee struggled to come up with the big hit as they had chances to tie or take the lead late in the game in both Saturday and Sunday's games. Catcher Blake Forsythe continues to pace the team with a .407 batting average. Forsythe and Cody Hawn are tied for the home run lead with 11.

ETSU is 12-11 thus far in 2008 under 10th year head coach Tony Skole, including an 8-3 record at Cardinal Park. Second baseman Ben Allen leads the team with a .380 batting average, including 35 hits, two home runs and 18 RBIs. Third baseman Bo Reeder leads the team with seven home runs.

UT leads the all-time series with the Bucs 55-11, dating back to 1967. ETSU swept the 2008 season series, defeating the Vols 10-9 in Johnson City and 11-9 in Knoxville. The home-and-home series will be completed when ETSU travels to Knoxville on April 21.

Charleston Southern (12-15) is batting .309 as a team with a 6.97 team ERA. The ETSU offense has hit 26 home runs and stolen 30 bases. Patrick Dolan leads the team with a .404 average, nine doubles and five home runs. Tyler Thornburg has driven in a team-high 22 RBI.

The Vols and the Buccaneers have only met two previous times, with the Vols winning both meetings. The two teams have never played in Knoxville. The last meeting between the two teams was in 1996 during the NCAA regional.

Pitching matchups for both games have yet to be determined.

Tennessee resumes Southeastern Conference play this weekend when they travel to Tuscaloosa, Ala., for a three-game against Alabama.