Feb. 3, 2017

2017 Schedule

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Baseball Time in Tennessee is just 14 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 Jan. 18 and will run up until UT's season opener on February 17 against Memphis at FedEx Park.

TENNESSEE BASEBALL'S NO. 14

1976 | Billy Aldridge (Away)
1976*, 77-78 | Charles Black (*Home)
2006 | Drew Bowlin
1969-70 | Don Campbell (Home)
2003-04 | Brett Chappell
2008-10 | Steve Crnkovich
2017 | Pete Derkay
1987 | Chip Drobnie
1985 | John Eberlein
1975 | Robbie Edgerton
1991-93 | Jeff Foster
1980 | Jerry Hays
1974 | Paul Heissenbuttel)
2007 | Nick Hernandez
1996-98 | Luke Hudson
1972*, 73 | Gred Johnson (Away)
1965-66 | Darryl Lowe
1990| Shawn McDonnell
1981-84 | Tony Myers
1995 | Joe Nadeau
2011 | Jerod Peper
1986 | Greg Riddle
2014-16 | Tyler Schultz
1967 | Kendall Stiles (Home)
1971 | Greg Stooksberry (Home)
1972 | Bob Whittlesey (Home)

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: 14 Days

A total of 27 Vols have worn No. 14 in Tennessee history. Among the group is freshman catcher/infielder Pete Derkay.

Tabbed as an All-State player from Allatoona High School for four straight years (2013-16), Derkay ranked as the No. 16 catcher in the state of Georgia and was listed as the No. 141 catcher in the country by Perfect Game.

As a junior, Derkay represented Team Georgia during the Sunbelt Classic in Oklahoma and received All-Tournament honors. The Georgia native also batted .305 with 14 RBI as junior and combined for 70 RBI, five homers and 12 stolen bases during his high school career.

Derkay also played on the travel ball circuit with Team Elite Prime and 6-4-3 DP Cougars, two of the top travel ball organizations in the state of Georgia.