Jan. 24, 2017

2017 Schedule

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Baseball Time in Tennessee is just 24 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 showcases three left-handers today, including No. 24 Alex Harper-Cook, and will run up until UT’s season opener on February 17 against Memphis at FedEx Park.

TENNESSEE BASEBALL'S NO. 24

1974 (Home) | Mark Batchko
1991 | Greg Brown
2000| Judson Brownell
1994-95 | Bryce Christensen
1966 | Jim Cumby
1981-82 | Neal Dulling
2003-05 | Rob Fitzgerald
1972 (Away) | Wes Grout
1973 | David Hamilton
2016-Present | Alex Harper-Cook
1971 (Away) | Steve Hembree
2013-2015 | Andrew Lee
1984-85 | Alphonso Martin
1974-75 (Away) | Gary Mashburn
1986-88 | Greg McMichael
1992-93 | Brandon Miller
2007-10 | Bryan Morgado
1976-79 | Jack Reynolds
1989-90 | Chris Snyder
2011-12 | T.J. Thornton
1965 | Ron Widby
2006 | Danny Wiltz

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: 24 Days

In total, 23 Volunteers have donned the jersey No. 24, including sophomore lefty and Maryville native Alex Harper-Cook.

In his first season with the Orange and White in 2016, Harper-Cook went 2-1 over 15 appearances (four starts) with a 3.09 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 23.1 innings pitched. He received his first career start at ETSU last March, tossing 2.0 scoreless innings to help UT to an 11-2 victory, and earned his first career win with his next start vs. UNC Asheville on Rocky Top. Ranked as the No. 5 left-hander in the state of Tennessee during his senior year at Maryville High School, Harper-Cook tossed two no-hitters over the course of his career with the Rebels.

Also hailing from the hills of East Tennessee, freshmen left-handers Will Heflin (No. 36) and Redmond Walsh (No. 46) look to represent their respective jerseys on Rocky Top this season. Heflin, a native of Morristown, earned 2016 All-America and All-State honors at Morristown West High School. Louisville native and former Alcoa High School standout Redmond Walsh also comes to Tennessee as a Top 10-ranked lefty from his home state, and threw a no-hitter of his own against Catholic High School in May of 2016.

Getting to Know Alex

#24 Alex Harper-Cook

2016-17 | LHP | 6-2 | L/L | Maryville, Tenn.

Fun Fact: I strum the guitar occasionally.

Favorite Music Artist/Band: The Silent Comedy

Something ALWAYS in Your Travel Bag: My Nintendo 3DS

Pregame Superstitions or Routines: I have to chew bubble gum before every game.

Getting to Know Will

#36 Will Heflin

2017 | LHP | 5-11 | L/L | Morristown, Tenn.

Fun Fact: I share a birthday with my mom.

Favorite Home-Cooked Meal: Grandma’s Golden Chicken

One Item on Your 'Bucket List': Go to Bora Bora

If you were stranded on an island, what teammate would you want with you and why?: Cal Gobbell. He’s kind of country, so he would help us survive.