University of Tennessee Athletics
2017 Vol Baseball Countdown: 22 Days
January 26, 2017 | Baseball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Baseball Time in Tennessee is just 22 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 began January 18 and will run up until UT's season opener on February 17 against Memphis at FedEx Park.
TENNESSEE BASEBALL'S NO. 22
- 1975 | Billy Aldridge (Home)
- 1976-78| Bill Butler
- 1983 | Scott Clifford
- 1995-98| Travis Copley
- 2002-03| Jordan Czarniecki
- 2000 | Jordan DeJong
- 1982| Mark Diez
- 1971 | Stuart Driscoll
- 1974 | Robbie Edgerton (Home)
- 1981| Doug Elting
- 2004| Martin Evans
- 1991-92| Paul Fletcher
- 1967 | John Hammett
- 2013-2015 | David Houser
- 1999| Thomas Kincer
- 1972 | Joe O'Brien (Home)
- 1973 | Bill Oden (Away)
- 1984-87| Jeff Owen
- 1969 | Frank Petrella (Away)
- 1979-80| Randy Rapshus
- 1966 | Duane Schriver
- 2008-09| Ryne Simpson
- 2005| Alex Sink
- 2001 | Brett Stambolian
- 2010| Mike Theodore
- 1965 | David Tiller
- 1993-94| Bubba Trammell
- 1988-90 | Steve Treadway
- 1969-70 | Don Varner
- 2016-2017| Matt Waldren
- 2012 | Steve Weaver
- 2010-12 | Andy Yates
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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: 22 Days
A total of 32 Vols have worn No. 22 in Tennessee history, joining the group is junior outfielder Matt Waldren.
During his debut season on Rocky Top, Waldren appeared in 29 games for the Vols, including five starts. He tallied six RBI on eight hits and scored four runs while recording a .200 batting average in 2016.
Prior to Tennessee, Waldren spent two seasons as an outfielder for the College of Southern Nevada. During his time as a Coyote, Waldren was a two-time Second Team All-Region selection and posted his career-best batting average of .308 during his freshman season in 2014.
The former three-year varsity letterman and All-District player from Mesquite High School hails from Phoenix, Arizona, where as a team captain, MVP and scholar athlete, he helped send his team to the state playoffs during his junior season.
Getting to Know Matt
#22 Matt Waldren
2016-17 | OF | 6-0 | R/R | Phoenix, Ariz.
Fun Fact: My biggest fear is falling, so I'm never going to go skydiving.
Favorite Movie: Gladiator
Favorite Home-Cooked Meal: Lemon Peppered Chicken with Rice
One Thing You ALWAYS Have in Your Travel Bag: Contact Lenses
List One Item on Your ‘Bucket List': Vols go to Omaha and witness in person the San Jose Sharks winning the Stanley Cup
One Fashion Trend You CANNOY Get On-Board With: Man Buns
Next On the Countdown
Stop by tomorrow as we continue our countdown by getting to know freshman OF and No. 21 Cal Gobbell.
