Feb. 9, 2017

2017 Schedule

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Baseball Time in Tennessee is just 8 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. 8

1988-89 | Eric Bodman
1983 | Jim Broughton
2017 | Brandon Chinea
1973 | Tommy Cox (Home)
2012 | Hunter Daniel
1970 | Phil Garner (Away)
1986-87 | Jeff Geer
1969-71 | Rick Gordon (Home)
1978-81 | Ronnie Hartsield
1984-85 | Mark Lipsuis
1976-77 | David Mitchell
2010-11 | Khayyan Norfolk
1969 | Norman Pratt (Away)
2016-Present | Leno Ramirez
1967 | Paul Slover
1971 | Cubb Stokes (Away)
1972 | Bruce Trusley (Home)
2013 | Vance Viscaino
1974-75 | Randy Wallace
1972-73 | Bob Whittlesey (Away)
2008-09 | Danny Wiltz
1982 | Mike Wise

Need to Know

Later this month, 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: 8 Days

Freshman infielder Brandon Chinea becomes the 22nd Vol to wear No. 8 in Tennessee history this year.

Chinea graduated from Florida Christian School where he his baseball squad to two District Championships in 2014 and 2016. As a junior, he hit .400, collected 18 RBI, stole eight bases and was named to the Florida All-Region Second Team.

During his high school career, Chinea was named to the Perfect Game All-Tournament team five times and was also named Rawlings-Perfect Game Honorable Mention All-American in 2016. Before moving to Knoxville last summer, he was ranked as the No. 14 shortstop and 85th overall player in the state of Florida.

Beginning his collegiate career this year with the Vols, Chinea brings a wealth of baseball knowledge and experience as the younger brother of former LSU All-American and current St. Louis Cardinals prospect, Chris Chinea.