University of Tennessee Athletics
2017 Vol Baseball Countdown: 25 Days
January 23, 2017 | Baseball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Baseball Time in Tennessee is just 25 days away! To count down to the start of the 2017 season, UTSports.com will profile a player each day on the Vols' 2017 squad. The countdown continues today and will run up until UT's season opener on February 17 against Memphis at FedEx Park.
TENNESSEE BASEBALL'S NO. 25
- 1975 | Billy Aldridge (Away)
- 1974 | Brad Bradshaw (Away)
- 2003 | Justin Branson
- 1993 | Jason Carruth
- 2010 | Spencer Clifft
- 2004-07 | Craig Cobb
- 1982 | Neal Dulling (Away)
- 1989 | Clint Factor
- 2013 | Michael Flax
- 1971-72 | Tommy Hammett
- 2016 | Bryant Harris
- 1973 | Rick Honeycutt (Away)
- 1970 | George Hunt (Home)
- 1991-92 | Richard King
- 1981 | Mark Kirkland
- 1999 | Doug Kunicki
- 1970 | Jimmy Lee (Away
- 2017-Present | Zach Linginfelter
- 2008-09 | Jeff Lockwood
- 1965 | Steve Maples
- 1986-88 | Tony McGaha
- 1969 | Frank Petrella (Home)
- 1982-83 | Hobie Powell
- 2000-02 | Adam Smith
- 1973 | Gary Stooksberry
- 1984-85 | David Turner
- 1994-95 | Scott Vieira
- 2011-2012 | Carter Watson
- 2014-2015 | Johnny Youngblood
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Need to Know
In February, Tennessee will travel to Memphis to open their 2017 season with a three-game set (Feb. 17-19) against the University of Memphis at FedEx Park, home of the Tigers. The Big Orange then heads west during their second week of the season for a single-game matchup at Loyola Marymount in Los Angeles, Calif. (Feb. 22) before travelling to San Diego to participate in the Tony Gwynn Classic on Feb. 24-26.
Following the four-game stint in California, the Volunteers will return to Knoxville for their first home series of the season on March 3-5. The series also signifies the first-ever meeting between Norfolk State and UT.
The Orange & White open their 2017 Southeastern Conference schedule with the South Carolina Gamecocks in Knoxville on March 17-19, marking the second consecutive year for UT to begin conference play at home. Tennessee later plays host to SEC rivals Georgia (March 31-April 2), Auburn (April 13-15) and Arkansas (May 4-6) before closing out regular season play against Missouri (May 18-20) at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
This year, the Volunteers' SEC road schedule includes trips to Mississippi State (March 24-26), Florida (April 7-9), Texas A&M (April 21-23), Vanderbilt (April 28-30) and Kentucky (May 12-14).
On the season, the Volunteers, led by Head Coach Dave Serrano and his staff, are scheduled to play 15 of their 55 regular season games against five 2016 NCAA postseason participants, including 2016 SEC Tournament Champion Texas A&M.
Countdown to Baseball: 25 Days
Freshman right-hander Zach Linginfelter will be the 29th Vol to wear No. 25 in Tennessee history.
Linginfelter, an East Tennessee native, lettered all four years at Sevier County High School in baseball, leading the team to two district titles, one regional title and one sub-state championship. As a senior in 2016, he went 7-2 with a 1.70 ERA and fired 113 strikeouts. He also led the team with a .434 batting average, nine home runs and 48 RBI.
Linginfelter was named the 2016 Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Tennessee and Perfect Game tabbed the righty a 2016 Preseason First Team All-American. Ranked as the No. 1 right-handed pitcher and 2nd overall player in the state of Tennessee, he was also listed as the 19th right-hander and 60th overall player in the nation by Perfect Game in 2016.
Getting to Know Zach
2017 | RHP | 6-5 | R/R | Sevierville, Tenn.
Fun Fact: I am an only child
Name Your ‘Go-To' Karaoke Song: "Unwritten" – Natasha Bedingfield
Hobbies (Outside of Baseball): Playing basketball with friends
Name One Thing You ALWAYS Have in Your Travel Bag: Toothbrush
Any Pregame Superstitions or Routines?: I must eat blue Sour Punch Straws
Name One Fashion Trend You Just CANNOT Get On Board With: Men's skinny jeans
Next On the Countdown
Come by tomorrow as the countdown showcases three East Tennessee lefties: freshmen Will Heflin and Redmond Walsh, along with sophomore No. 24 Alex Harper-Cook.
