Tennessee Baseball vs. Dayton//Photo via Rocky Top Insider’s Jack Foster
Third-ranked Tennessee Baseball (3-2) will face off against Dayton (0-3) on Friday at 4:30 p.m. ET for the series opener in Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
The Vols are looking looking to keep their winning streak alive, as Tennessee are winners of their past three after starting the season 0-2. But they will have to do so WITHOUT head coach Tony Vitello, as the Vols’ skipper has been suspended for the entirety of the three game series. More information will be added once more updates become available to RTI.
As for Dayton, the Flyers are still searching for their first win of 2023 after getting swept in their season-opening series against Western Kentucky.
SEC Network + has the call for Tennessee vs. Dayton. Reminder that the online broadcasts can be accessed on any mobile device through WatchESPN. WatchESPN can be accessed through the ESPN App, or online at espn.com/watch.
For RTI’s full baseball coverage from last weekend, Tuesday and Wednesday, click here.
Lineups, pitching matchup, and additional pre-game notes are below.
Starting Lineups
Tennessee Starting Nine:
LF Jared Dickey
2B Christian Moore
1B Blake Burke
3B Zane Denton
RF Griffin Merritt
DH Cal Stark
CF Kyle Booker
SS Austen Jaslove
C Charlie Taylor
Lineup Notes:
–Still no Maui Ahuna, who still awaits eligibility status from the NCAA. Austen Jaslove continues to start at short stop.
–Both of Tennessee’s top catchers are starting, as Cal Stark gets his second start of the season at designated hitter, and Charlie Taylor gets the start.
–With Stark at DH, Jared Dickey moves to LF, and Kyle Booker moves to center field. Therefore, Christian Scott doesn’t get the start.
Dayton Starting Nine:
2B Keagan Calero
LF Michael Adair
DH Ben Jones
1B Marcos Pujols
3B Jay Curtis
C Nolan Watson
RF Edward Yamin V
CF Jose Martinez
SS Carlos Castillo
Pitching Matchup
Vols Jr. RHP Chase Dollander (0-1, 3.86 ERA, 4.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 K, .188 opp. batting avg., 1 HP)
vs. Dayton Sr. LHP Ryan Steinhauer (0-1, 7.20 ERA, 5.0 IP, 3 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, .167 opp. batting avg.)
Pregame Quick Hitters
-Tennessee run-ruled Alabama A&M in both midweek contests. HOWEVER, there will be no run-rule this weekend, as Tennessee nor Dayton agreed to it.
-Tennessee’s pitching staff has allowed just one run over the past three games.
-In Tennessee’s 23-1 win over Alabama A&M Wednesday, the Vols scored 15 runs in the fifth inning, a program record.
-Dayton is Tennessee’s first true series opponent this season, as the Vols opened their season in the MLB Desert Invitational last weekend in Arizona.
-Andy Brock (PxP) and Cody Hawn (Analyst) are on the call for the SECN+ broadcast.
-Tennessee is wearing their icy white uniforms for Friday night’s matchup. Dayton is wearing their grey uniforms.
GAME THREAD
1st Inning:
T1
B1
Score: Vols , Flyers
2nd Inning:
T2
B2
Score: Vols , Flyers
3rd Inning:
T3
B3
Score: Vols , Flyers
4th Inning:
T4
B4
Score: Vols , Flyers
5th Inning:
T5
B5
Score: Vols , Flyers
6th Inning:
T6
B6
Score: Vols , Flyers
7th Inning:
T7
B7
Score: Vols , Flyers
8th Inning:
T8
B8
Score: Vols , Flyers
9th Inning:
T9
B9
FINAL: Tennessee Vols __, Dayton Flyers __
