Jan. 30, 2017

2017 Schedule

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Baseball Time in Tennessee is just 18 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 on Jan. 18 and will run up until UT’s season opener on February 17 against Memphis at FedEx Park.

TENNESSEE BASEBALL'S NO. 18

1998-99| Jason Adams
1979 | Eddie Agnew (Home)
2006-09|Cody Brown
1975 | Bill Butler (Home)
1992| Jason Cox
1980 | Dale Garner
1969| * Phil Garner (Home)
2000-01| Brian Gates
1976-77 | Wayne Graf
1983-84 | Jon Massey
1988-90 | Tom McFarling
1967 | Don Miller
1981 | Jeff Morris
2003-04| Kyle Norrid
1976 | Steve Pinkham (Away)
1985-86 | Ron Powe
1991 | Joe Randa
1974 | Gary Robinson (Home)
2002 | Jay Sadlowe
2015-2017 | Dave Serrano
1987 | Pete Torgerson
1973-75 | Bob Whittlesey e
*RETIRED IN HONOR OF

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: 18 Days

#18 Dave Serrano

2012-2017 | Head Coach | Torrance, Calif.

Now entering his sixth season at the helm of the Tennessee Baseball Program, Head Coach Dave Serrano's efforts to revitalize the Volunteers as a nationally elite competitor continue to hold strong. Along with renewing a sense of excitement and optimism among his players, staff and Volunteer Nation, Serrano has brought a winning atmosphere to Rocky Top, having led Tennessee to three consecutive SEC Tournament appearances (2014-16).

Serrano's energy and passion for the University of Tennessee, combined with his impeccable track record of success, made him the choice to become the 24th head coach of the Volunteer baseball program following a nationwide search after the 2010 campaign. A former UT assistant, he was welcomed back to the Big Orange family on June 15, 2011.

To end the 2016 season, Tennessee (29-28, 9-22 SEC) clinched a postseason bid to the SEC Baseball Tournament for the third consecutive year. The tournament berth marked the first time for the Vols to appear in the league's postseason tournament in three straight seasons (2014-16) since 1995-97.

A veteran of seven College World Series and one of just 12 coaches to lead two different programs to Omaha, Serrano enters his sixth season at Rocky Top with a career record of 419-277-1 (.601) in 12 seasons as a Division I head coach. After leading UC Irvine to the 2007 CWS in his third year at the helm of the Anteaters, he moved on to Cal State Fullerton where he averaged 43.75 wins per season in his four campaigns with the Titans, including an appearance in Omaha in 2009.

Serrano holds a bachelor's degree from Trinity College and University (2003) and was born on June 28, 1964, in Torrance, Calif. He has three sons: Kyle, Zach and Parker.