Tag: evansville

Dru Smith Q&A: ‘There were plenty of days of frustration’

Dru Smith, a two-way guard for the Miami Heat, is rumored to be soon converted to a standard multi-year contract after the team traded Thomas Bryant creating cap flexibility. At 6-foot-3, Smith has impacted coach Erik Spoelstra’s rotation with his …

Dru Smith, a two-way guard for the Miami Heat, is rumored to be soon converted to a standard multi-year contract after the team traded Thomas Bryant creating cap flexibility.

At 6-foot-3, Smith has impacted coach Erik Spoelstra‘s rotation with his defensive energy, a knack for hitting open looks, and ability to play on-or-off ball. After an impressive college career at Evansville and Missouri, he has spent the past four years bouncing between the NBA and the G League with the Sioux Falls Skyforce (and briefly with the Long Island Nets), where he was consistently a standout performer.

In an interview with HoopsHype, Smith shared how he has been navigating his career obstacles like recovering from a torn ACL, making the most out of every chance he gets and more.

Wes Carroll congratulates Tennessee winning Knoxville Super Regional

Evansville baseball head coach Wes Carroll congratulates Tennessee for winning the Knoxville Super Regional.

Evansville advanced to its first NCAA Tournament Super Regional in program history. The Purple Aces lost a best-of-three series to Tennessee, 2-1, in the Knoxville Super Regional.

Evansville head coach Wes Carroll met with media following the Purple Aces’, 12-1, loss to Tennessee in game No. 3.

“I’d like to congratulate Tennessee, coach (Tony) Vitello and his entire coaching staff,” Carroll said. “What an accomplishment to go to Omaha once again. It was a hard-fought series, but they definitely earned today, so I definitely want to congratulate them and all their players.

“It’s been an incredible run by our Aces, by this senior group, by each and every guy on the roster that believed in this place. We made some history along the way, and yes, the outcome didn’t go our way today, but I couldn’t be more proud of our seniors and our team really setting the standard at the University of Evansville for many years to come.”

PHOTOS: Tennessee advances to College World Series after defeating Evansville

Wes Carroll. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Dalton Bargo discusses Tennessee playing in Omaha

Dalton Bargo discusses returning to Omaha to play in the College World Series.

Tennessee sophomore Dalton Bargo hit two home runs in the Vols’, 12-1, win against Evansville on Sunday to advance to the College World Series.

The College World Series will be contested June 14-24 at Charles Schwab Field Omaha in Omaha, Nebraska.

Bargo is a native of Omaha and discussed what it means for him to play in the College World Series.

“It means everything to me,” Bargo said. “Ever since I was six years old, I’ve been going to games. It’s been a dream of mine to go since I was a little kid. Being a part of a team and being one of the reasons we are going back to Omaha is everything I could ever ask for. I’m just thankful for the opportunities I’ve been given and made the most of them.”

READ: Everything Tony Vitello said after winning Knoxville Super Regional against Evansville

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Photos of Vols winning Knoxville Super Regional

Photos of Tennessee baseball winning the Knoxville Super Regional and advancing to the College World Series.

No. 1 national seed defeated Evansville on Sunday, 12-1, to clinch a best-of-three series win in the NCAA Tournament Knoxville Super Regional.

Tennessee advances to its third College World Series appearance in four years (2021, 2023-24).

Senior Zander Sechrist started for Tennessee and pitched 6.1 innings and recorded six strikeouts. He allowed six hits, one unearned run and zero walks. Sechrist totaled 102 pitches, including 70 strikes, against 27 batters.

Tennessee’s offense recorded 12 hits in the series finale, including seven home runs. The Vols also set a postseason single-game record with seven home runs.

Below are photos of Tennessee’s win against the Purple Aces on Sunday in game No. 3.

Tennessee defeats Evansville to advance to College World Series

Vols tie single-season postseason record with seven home runs against Purple Aces.

No. 1 overall seed Tennessee (55-12, 22-8 SEC) defeated Evansville (39-26, 17-10 MVC), 12-1, in game No. 3 of the NCAA Tournament Knoxville Super Regional on Sunday at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

With the victory, the Vols advance to the College World Series for the third time in four years.

After falling behind in the top of the first inning, Tennessee scored 12 unanswered runs against the Purple Aces. The Vols also set a postseason single-game record with seven home runs.

Christian Moore went 2-for-3. He hit two solo home runs. Moore recorded three runs and two RBIs, while Dalton Bargo went 2-for-4. He also hit two solo home runs.

Blake Burke went 4-for-5 and recorded three doubles, one RBI and one run, for the Vols. Cal Stark went 1-for-3 and hit a three-run home run and recorded two runs.

Billy Amick went 1-for-5 and hit a two-run home run. He recorded three RBIs and one run, while Dean Curley went 1-for-3 and hit a solo home run and recorded two runs.

Zander Sechrist (4-1) pitched 6.1 innings. He allowed one unearned run and six hits, while recording six strikeouts.

Nate Snead, Dylan Loy, Kirby Connell and Marcus Phillips each appeared in relief for Tennessee.

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Updated first pitch time for Tennessee-Evansville series finale

Tennessee announces a time change for Sunday’s series finale against Evansville baseball.

Tennessee and Evansville baseball were slated to play a series finale on Sunday at 6 p.m. EDT (ESPNU).

Tennessee released the following announcement regarding a time change for game No. 3.

“After the current rain/lightning storm clears the area, Tennessee vs. Evansville NCAA Baseball Super Regional Game 3 is expected to start at 7:06 p.m. EDT,” Tennessee announced.

The Purple Aces tied the best-of-three series on Saturday, defeating Tennessee, 10-8.

“We say it in our conference, you’re in a three-round bout, and you’re going to have to take blows and give blows,” Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello said after game No. 2 on Saturday.

READ: A look at Tennessee’s starting lineup on Sunday against Evansville

Vols announce uniform combination for Knoxville Super Regional finale

Tennessee baseball announces uniform combination for game No. 3 against the Purple Aces.

Tennessee will look to advance to the College World Series on Sunday. The Vols are one win away from winning the NCAA Tournament Knoxville Super Regional.

Tennessee and Evansville are tied, 1-1, in a best-of-three series and Sunday’s game No. 3 will take place at 6 p.m. EDT (ESPNU).

The Vols will wear dark mode uniforms in the series finale.

Evansville is competing in its first NCAA Tournament Super Regional in program history and would advance to a first College World Series appearance. The Vols are playing for a third appearance in the last four seasons in Omaha.

PHOTOS: Evansville baseball wins first Super Regional game

‘Stakes are high’ in Tennessee-Evansville series finale

Evansville baseball head coach Wes Carroll discusses the stakes being high in game No. 3 at Tennessee on Sunday.

A winner-take-all game will be contested on Sunday at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

Tennessee (54-12) will host Evansville (39-25) in game No. 3 of the NCAA Tournament Knoxville Super Regional. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. EDT (ESPNU).

The Purple Aces tied the best-of-three series on Saturday, recording its first Super Regional victory in program history.

Evansville head coach Wes Carroll met with media and discussed Sunday’s contest for the right to advance to the College World Series.

“The stakes are as high as they can get for an opportunity to go to Omaha,” Carroll said. “A dream that every kid wants to do. I know UT has been there a couple of times, but I guarantee there are people in that dugout that haven’t been. As a coaching staff, this is why we work, and this is why we are in this business to play at the highest level.

“We are in rare air and uncharted waters, but we are going to come to the yard loose. We are going to really pick each other up, and we are going to need some big efforts on the mound in order to stay in the game and let our offense hopefully keep us in it and go win it.”

PHOTOS: Evansville baseball wins game No. 2 at Tennessee

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Tony Vitello details status of Zander Sechrist for Evansville series finale

Tennessee baseball head coach Tony Vitello discusses the status of pitcher Zander Sechrist against Evansville on Sunday.

No. 1 national seed Tennessee and Evansville will conclude a best-of-three series on Sunday at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. First pitch between the Vols and Purple Aces is slated for 6 p.m. EDT and will be televised by ESPNU.

Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello discussed pitcher Zander Sechrist’s status for game No. 3 in the Knoxville Super Regional. Sechrist’s last appearance was June 2 against Southern Miss in the Knoxville Regional. He was hit in the back of his leg by a line drive during the contest.

“He’s good,” Vitello said. “He, obviously, took that shot pretty good and was bruised the next day, but that Monday it was all laughs. I don’t think it was laughs for him when it occurred, and I’m sure it stiffened up at some point. That’s kind of been a non-issue for the week.

“That’s our guy in the locker room. That’s our guy on the field. He has the ball, and we’ll worry about the rest later. I don’t think we’ve done anything to gas anybody out this particular weekend.”

Sechrist pitched 4.2 innings in Tennessee’s win against Southern Miss. He recorded three strikeouts and allowed three hits, four hits and three walks. Sechrist totaled 70 pitches, including 45 strikes, against 21 batters.

PHOTOS: Vols defeat Southern Miss to win Knoxville Regional

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Christian Moore’s role in series finale defined versus Evansville

Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello details Christian Moore’s role in game No. 3 versus Evansville baseball.

No. 1 national seed Tennessee (54-12) will look to advance to its third College World Series appearance in four seasons on Sunday.

The Vols will face Evansville (39-25) in a series finale at Lindsey Nelson Stadium (6 p.m. EDT, ESPNU).

Christian Moore started at second base for the Vols in the series opener against Evansville, while serving as Tennessee’s designated hitter in game No. 2.

Seventh-year Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello met with media following Saturday’s contest. He discussed whether Moore will play in the field or not in Sunday’s series finale.

“No, he’ll play second base tomorrow,” Vitello said of Moore. “His leg was sore, was a little iffy, and that was the decision. It was 100 percent the way to go today, and the decision tomorrow will be to play him at second base. That’ll be 100 percent the way to go.”

PHOTOS: Purple Aces tie series against Tennessee baseball in Knoxville Super Regional

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire