March 30, 2017

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- No. 19 Tennessee continues a six-game stretch of non-conference games this weekend as NC State visits Sherri Parker Lee Stadium for a three-game series Friday-Sunday.

MORE INFO

Tennessee vs. NC State

Dates: Friday, March 31 -- Sunday, April 2
Venue: Sherri Parker Lee Stadium (Knoxville, Tenn.)
Tickets: AllVols.com
Listen: WNML (AM 990) | UTSports.com
Live Stats: UTSports.com

No. 19/19 Tennessee Volunteers (28-5, 6-3 SEC)

Roster Schedule Stats

NC State Wolfpack (12-21, 6-3 ACC)

Roster Schedule Stats

Media & Broadcast Info

Radio coverage will be available for all three games on Sports Radio WNML (AM 990) as Brian Rice has the call. Live stats will be available on the softball schedule page at UTSports.com HERE.

View the full series schedule below:

Friday

Game 1 | 6 p.m. | WNML (AM 990)/UTSports.com

Saturday

Game 2 | 4 p.m. | WNML (AM 990)/UTSports.com

Sunday

Game 3 | 12 p.m. | WNML (AM 990)/UTSports.com

Need to Know

The Volunteers enter the series riding a seven-game win streak after sweeping a midweek doubleheader against Liberty on Tuesday. UT has been dominant in non-conference play this season with a 22-2 record while outscoring opponents 183-33.

The Slap Game

A big part of the Vols' offense is speed and the slap hitters at the top and bottom of the lineup have been a major key to the team's recent success. In Tuesday's doubleheader sweep, the trio of Aubrey Leach, Jenna Holcomb and CJ McClain combined for eight hits and nine of the team's 12 runs.

Raking in the Awards

Tennessee players earned a handful of awards for their performances during a 4-0 showing last week. Caylan Arnold was named the SEC Freshman of the Week and Brooke Vines was named the SEC Player of the Week as well as the Louisville Slugger NFCA National Player of the Week. Vines has been red hot at the plate with multiple RBIs in six of the last seven games and leads the SEC with 12 RBIs in conference play.

No Place Like Home

Tennessee has won the first six games of its 10-game homestand and is 14-1 overall at home this season. The Vols have outscored their opponents 100-30 in those 15 games and are batting at a .336 clip.

The Big Orange were one of the top teams in the nation when playing at home last season, posting an NCAA best 22-1 record at Lee Stadium in the regular season, including an 11-0 mark in SEC play. Tennessee outscored its opponents 225-63 and won 16 of their 24 total home games last season by run rule.

Scouting Report

NC State Wolfpack (12-21, 6-3 ACC)

Despite struggling in non-conference play, NC State is off to a solid start in ACC play with a 6-3 record. The Wolfpack defeated then No. 25 North Carolina on the road last Sunday after dropping the first two games of the series. They also swept Virginia and took two of three games against Syracuse.

Freshman Jade Caraway leads the offense with a .380 batting average and 38 hits to go along with 17 runs and 12 RBIs. The pitching staff has struggled with a team ERA of 6.60. Peyton Silverman has seen the bulk of the work with 120.0 innings pitched. She has an 8-11 record with a 5.48 ERA and 77 strikeouts this season.

UT's All-Time Record vs. NC State: 5-0

The Vols are 5-0 all-time in the series and have allowed just one run in those games. In the last meeting between the two teams, Tennessee posted a 7-0 win in the 2013 NCAA Regionals to eliminate the Wolfpack from postseason play and advance to the NCAA Super Regionals.

Promotions/Giveaways

Check out the promotions that will be going on this weekend and throughout the season below.

All Season

- Scan to Win Challenge (For Season Ticket Holders): Every time you scan your ticket, you are entered into a drawing for two (2) tickets to the SEC Tournament (all-session tickets).

All Series

- Kids Carnival: Inflatables, Face Painting & More!

Friday

- Happy Hour: $2 hot dogs prior to the game from 5-6 p.m.

- Replica Jersey T-Shirt Giveaway (First 300 Fans)

Saturday

- Bojangles Gift Card Giveaway at Entrance

Sunday

- Kids Day: First 100 kids 12 years of age or younger receive a $5 concession voucher.

-Run the Bases Postgame! (Kids Only)

Fan Information/Stadium Policies

Please be advised that the university's clear bag policy for all of its athletic venues will be in effect for the Tennessee Invitational and every other home game this season. In order to enhance safety and expedite fan entry at Tennessee athletic events, the university is implementing new safety policies for fans bringing bags into all athletic venues.

Only one clear plastic bag no larger than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches or a one-gallon, clear, resealable plastic storage bag per person will be permitted. Fans will also be allowed a small clutch purse not to exceed 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches. Fans interested in purchasing an approved clear bag may visit the Official Team Store at Neyland Stadium, VolShop locations in the Student Union, 17th & Cumberland Avenue and University Commons; as well as other area retailers.

For more information on the new bag policy click HERE.