Shawn Griffin

March 29, 2007

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The Tennessee baseball team hopes to extend its 10-game home win streak this weekend when No. 7 Arkansas comes to town for a three-game series at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. Game times are set for 7 p.m. Friday, 4 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. The Volunteers have won 11 of their last 13 games overall and are one of four teams -- including the Razorbacks -- tied for first place in the Southeastern Conference through two weekends of league play.

Tennessee (17-9, 4-2 SEC) leads the all-time series with the Hogs 22-18 dating to 1992, including a 12-4 advantage on Rocky Top. The Big Orange have won three of the last five meetings with Arkansas, including the last two series in Knoxville (2003 and 2005).

Vols junior Andy Simunic continues to lead UT with a .355 batting average this season, and he also ranks second in the SEC with 17 stolen bases this year. Freshman catcher/first baseman Yan Gomes leads the Vols in hits (34) and RBIs (21), while sophomore shortstop Tony Delmonico is hitting a team-best .455 in SEC games.

For the third straight year, Arkansas (19-8, 4-2 SEC) enters the Tennessee series ranked in the national top 10. Led by fifth-year head coach Dave Van Horn, the Razorbacks were picked by the SEC coaches to win the 2007 Western Division crown. The Arkansas roster is highlighted by All-America left-handed pitcher Nick Schmidt. A member of the 2006 USA Baseball National Team, Schmidt owns a 5-0 record this season with a 1.80 ERA. Opposing batters are hitting just .170 against the projected first-round draft pick.

Offensively, Arkansas is led by junior Casey Coon's .347 average with 33 hits and 36 RBIs. Senior first baseman Danny Hamblin leads the Razorbacks with seven homers, and sophomore Logan Forsythe is hitting a team-best .366.

The Volunteers and Razorbacks sport identical .291 team batting averages. Friday's series-opener matches Schmidt against UT left-hander James Adkins (3-3, 3.00 ERA). Senior right-hander Craig Cobb (5-2, 4.50 ERA) will start for the Vols Saturday opposite Arkansas right-hander Duke Welker (4-1, 3.19 ERA). Sophomore left-hander Lance McClain (5-2, 4.58 ERA) takes the mound for Tennessee Sunday, while Arkansas has not announced its starter for the series-finale.

Fans who attend Friday's series-opener will be treated to a postgame fireworks show.

Also on both Friday and Saturday, Allegiant Air will be giving away two round-tip tickets to Orlando, Tampa or Las Vegas (winner can choose). Fans can sign up to win when they enter the stadium. Separate drawings will be held both nights

All kids receive free admission to Sunday's series-finale, and "Fan Appreciation Day" festivities after the game allow fans to visit with the team on the field while kids can run the bases.