Tennessee Volunteers baseball

The Tennessee Volunteers baseball team represents the University of Tennessee in NCAA Division I college baseball. Along with most other Tennessee athletic teams, the baseball team participates in the Eastern division of the Southeastern Conference. The Volunteers play all on-campus home games at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. The Volunteers are currently coached by three-time National Coach of the Year and one-time Southeastern Conference Baseball Coach of the Year, Tony Vitello. During Vitello's tenure, Tennessee has quickly become one of the premier programs in all of college baseball. From 2021 to 2024, Tennessee amassed the most overall wins, the most NCAA tournament wins, the most home runs, as well as the highest winning percentage in the country.[2] The Vols won their first College World Series in 2024, becoming just the second team to win the title as the #1 overall seed and the first to do it since 1999.[3] They also became the SEC's first team with 60 wins and the fourth to win the regular season title, the SEC tournament title, and the national championship in the same season.[4]

Tennessee Volunteers
2024 Tennessee Volunteers baseball team
Founded1897 (127 years ago)
UniversityUniversity of Tennessee
Athletic directorDanny White
Head coachTony Vitello (7th season)
ConferenceSEC
LocationKnoxville, Tennessee
Home stadiumLindsey Nelson Stadium
(Capacity: 5,548)
NicknameVolunteers
ColorsOrange and white[1]
   
NCAA Tournament champions
2024
College World Series runner-up
1951
College World Series appearances
1951, 1995, 2001, 2005, 2021, 2023, 2024
NCAA regional champions
1995, 2001, 2005, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
NCAA Tournament appearances
1951, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Conference tournament champions
1993, 1994, 1995, 2022, 2024
Regular season conference champions
1951, 1994, 1995, 2022, 2024
Conference division champions
1966, 1970, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 2021, 2022, 2024

Stadium

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Lindsey Nelson Stadium was constructed between the 1992 and 1993 seasons, on the site of the stadium, which was called Lower Hudson Field. In the past, the program had played at various locations including Lower Hudson Field and Shields–Watkins Field.[5]

Lindsey Nelson was a Hall of Fame broadcaster, Tennessee native and, university alumnus best known for his work with the University of Tennessee, University of Notre Dame, New York Mets, San Francisco Giants, the National Football League and the annual Cotton Bowl Classic.[6]

The playing field was named for Maryville, Tennessee native Robert M. Lindsay in 2007 after a $2 million athletic department contribution by Mr. Lindsay. Mr. Lindsay's father Rus Lindsay played baseball at the University of Tennessee from 1913 to 1916.[7]

Lindsey Nelson Stadium is currently in the midst of a $98 million, multi-year renovation project with the most recent additions bringing the current official capacity to 5,548. Once the renovations are complete, a new mezzanine section of premium seating and other additions will bring the capacity up to approximately 7,750 people.[8]

The record attendance at Lindsey Nelson stadium is 6,396, during an NCAA regional championship game against Northern Kentucky on May 31, 2024.[9]

Head coaches

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After a six-year tenure, coach Dave Serrano resigned following a 101-110 overall record and no post-season trips. On June 7, 2017, Tony Vitello accepted the position as head coach, and in his first year compiled a 29-27 record, the most wins by a first-year head coach in program history. In Vitello's second season at Tennessee, he led the Vols to 40 wins and their first NCAA tournament appearance since 2005.[10] In 2024, Vitello led the Vols to their first national championship in program history.

Coach W-L-T Pct Tenure
D. Aydelott 6–9–1 .406 1897 (1 year)
A.J. Greer No Record 1898 (1 year)
W.R. Harrison No Record 1899 (1 year)
T.R. Cornick 6–5 .545 1900 (1 year)
William H. Newman 8–4 .667 1902 (1 year)
Frank Moffett 90–47–1 .656 1903–05; 07–10; 18 (8 years)
Frank Callaway 5–7–1 .423 1919 (1 year)
James DePree 7–8 .467 1906 (1 year)
Zora G. Clevenger 51–44–3 .553 1911–16 (6 years)
John R. Bender 16–11 .593 1917; 1920 (2 years)
M. B. Banks 38–42–3 .476 1921–26 (6 years)
William S. Harkness 13–27 .325 1927–31 (5 years)
John Mauer 24–23 .511 1939–42 (4 years)
Ike Peel 13–6 .684 1947 (1 year)
S. W. Anderson 49–51–1 .490 1948–52 (5 years)
Bernard O’Neil 54–60 .474 1953–57 (5 years)
George Cafego 49–57–2 .463 1958–62 (5 years)
Bill Wright 408–308–2 .570 1963–81 (19 years)
John Whited 145–109 .571 1982–87 (6 years)
Ronnie Osborne 7–18 .280 1987 (1 year)
Mark Connor 44–65 .404 1988–89 (2 years)
Rod Delmonico 699–396 .638 1990–2007 (18 years)
Todd Raleigh 108–113 .489 2008–2011 (4 years)
Dave Serrano 101–110 .479 2012–2017 (6 years)
Tony Vitello 284-110 .721 2018–present (7 years)

All-time season results

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*Through August 2, 2024
*Note: there was no team in 1901; from 1932–1938 and from 1943–1946
Information Source: 2010 Tennessee Volunteers Baseball Media Guide - History section
Year-by-Year Results
Year Head coach Collegiate Record Conference Record Winning Percentage Conference Finish
1897 D. Aydelott 6-9-1 .406
1898 A.J. Greer N/A N/A
1899 W.R. Harrison N/A N/A
1900 T.R. Cornick 6-5 .545
1902 William H. Newman 8-4 .667
1903 Frank Moffett 8-10 .444
1904 Frank Moffett 9-5 .643
1905 Frank Moffett 3-5 .375
1906 James DePree 7-8 .467
1907 Frank Moffett 17-10 .630
1908 Frank Moffett 16-3 .842
1909 Frank Moffett 18-5-1 .771
1910 Frank Moffett 11-7 .611
1911 Z.G. Clevenger 10-8 .556
1912 Z.G. Clevenger 7-11-1 .395
1913 Z.G. Clevenger 5-8-1 .393
1914 Z.G. Clevenger 6-6-1 .500
1915 Z.G. Clevenger 10-6 .625
1916 Z.G. Clevenger 13-5 .722
1917 John R. Bender 7-6 .538
1918 Frank Moffett 8-2 .800
1919 Frank Callaway 5-7-1 .423
1920 John R. Bender 9-5 .643
1921 M.B. Banks 10-7 .588
1922 M.B. Banks 5-10-2 .353
1923 M.B. Banks 5-5-1 .500
1924 M.B. Banks 9-9 .500
1925 M.B. Banks 4-5 .444
1926 M.B. Banks 5-6 .455
1927 William S. Harkness 3-9 .250
1928 William S. Harkness 3-9 .250
1929 William S. Harkness 3-5 .375
1930 William S. Harkness 4-4 .500
1931 William S. Harkness 6-3 .667
1939 John Mauer 7-2 1-1 .778 8th SEC
1940 John Mauer 4-9 2-4 .308 10th SEC
1941 John Mauer 7-6 3-3 .538 6th SEC
1942 John Mauer 6-6 1-2 .500 10th SEC
1947 Ike Peel 13-6 5-3 .684 3rd SEC
1948 S.W. Anderson 4-18-1 3-16-1 .196 12th SEC
1949 S.W. Anderson 6-12 5-9 .333 10th SEC
1950 S.W Anderson 8-9 7-9 .471 7th SEC
1951 S.W. Anderson 20-3 16-1 .870 SEC Champions
1952 S.W. Anderson 11-9 11-7 .550 4th SEC
1953 Bernard O'Neil 14-8 6-7 .636 8th SEC
1954 Bernard O'Neil 8-17 4-10 .320 T-11th SEC
1955 Bernard O'Neil 13-8 8-6 .619 6th SEC
1956 Bernard O'Neil 10-13 7-8 .435 6th SEC
1957 Bernard O'Neil 9-14 4-12 .391 10th SEC
1958 George Cafego 2-13-1 1-10 .156 12th SEC
1959 George Cafego 9-9 4-8 .500 6th SEC East
1960 George Cafego 9-13-1 5-12 .413 7th SEC East
1961 George Cafego 15-10 6-8 .600 6th SEC East
1962 George Cafego 14-12 9-7 .538 4th SEC East
1963 Bill Wright 11-15 8-9 .423 5th SEC East
1964 Bill Wright 17-14 8-5 .583 3rd SEC East
1965 Bill Wright 14-10 8-5 .583 4th SEC East
1966 Bill Wright 22-9 11-2 .710 1st SEC East
1967 Bill Wright 14-16 8-9 .467 4th SEC East
1968 Bill Wright 20-12 8-5 .625 2nd SEC East
1969 Bill Wright 19-15 9-5 .559 2nd SEC East
1970 Bill Wright 24-10 12-3 .706 1st SEC East
1971 Bill Wright 15-15-1 7-7 .500 4th SEC East
1972 Bill Wright 19-14 7-6 .576 2nd SEC East
1973 Bill Wright 20-15 9-7 .571 2nd SEC East
1974 Bill Wright 29-15 10-7 .659 3rd SEC East
1975 Bill Wright 32-16 10-7 .667 2nd SEC East
1976 Bill Wright 33-17 15-9 .660 2nd SEC East
1977 Bill Wright 24-24-1 11-12 .500 3rd SEC East
1978 Bill Wright 25-21 11-12 .543 3rd SEC East
1979 Bill Wright 25-22 10-14 .532 4th SEC East
1980 Bill Wright 23-21 6-14 .523 5th SEC East
1981 Bill Wright 22-27 10-13 .449 3rd SEC East
1982 John Whited 29-17 13-9 .630 2nd SEC East
1983 John Whited 26-16 12-7 .619 2nd SEC East
1984 John Whited 27-21 11-12 .563 2nd SEC East
1985 John Whited 26-23 10-13 .531 5th SEC East
1986 John Whited 27-23 10-17 .540 8th SEC
1987 John Whited 10-9 5-18 .526 10th SEC
1988 Mark Connor 21-29 9-18 .420 9th SEC
1989 Mark Connor 23-36 4-23 .390 10th SEC
1990 Rod Delmonico 28-31 9-18 .475 9th SEC
1991 Rod Delmonico 41-19 13-13 .683 7th SEC
1992 Rod Delmonico 35-20 10-14 .636 5th SEC East
1993 Rod Delmonico 45-20 20-10 .692 1st SEC East
SEC Tournament Champions
1994 Rod Delmonico 52-14 24-5 .788 SEC Champions
SEC Tournament Champions
1995 Rod Delmonico 54-16 22-8 .771 SEC Champions
SEC Tournament Champions
1996 Rod Delmonico 43-20 18-12 .683 2nd SEC East
1997 Rod Delmonico 42-19 17-13 .688 T-1st SEC East
1998 Rod Delmonico 36-20 11-17 .643 4th SEC East
1999 Rod Delmonico 28-28 10-20 .500 4th SEC East
2000 Rod Delmonico 40-23 10-18 .635 5th SEC East
2001 Rod Delmonico 48-20 18-12 .705 2nd SEC East
2002 Rod Delmonico 27-28 12-18 .490 4th SEC East
2003 Rod Delmonico 31-24 13-17 .564 4th SEC East
2004 Rod Delmonico 38-24 14-16 .613 5th SEC East
2005 Rod Delmonico 46-21 18-11 .687 2nd SEC East
2006 Rod Delmonico 31-24 11-18 .564 5th SEC East
2007 Rod Delmonico 34-25 13-15 .576 4th SEC East
2008 Todd Raleigh 27-29 12-18 .482 6th SEC East
2009 Todd Raleigh 26-29 11-19 .473 6th SEC East
2010 Todd Raleigh 30-26 12-18 .536 5th SEC East
2011 Todd Raleigh 25-29 7-23 .462 6th SEC East
2012 Dave Serrano 24-31 8-22 .436 6th SEC East
2013 Dave Serrano 22-30 8-20 .423 6th SEC East
2014 Dave Serrano 31-23 12-18 .574 5th SEC East
2015 Dave Serrano 24-26 11-18 .499 6th SEC East
2016 Dave Serrano 29–27 9-21 .536 T-6th SEC East
2017 Dave Serrano 27–25 7-21 .519 7th SEC East
2018 Tony Vitello 29-27 12-18 .518 T-6th SEC East
2019 Tony Vitello 40-21 14-16 .656 3rd SEC East
2020 Tony Vitello 15–2* 0-0* .882 N/A
2021 Tony Vitello 50-18 20-10 .735 1st SEC East
2022 Tony Vitello 58-9 25-5 .865 SEC Champions
SEC Tournament Champions
2023 Tony Vitello 44-22 16-14 .667 T-4th SEC East [11]
2024 Tony Vitello 60-13 22-8 .821 SEC Champions
SEC Tournament Champions
National Champions

NCAA tournament record

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Year-by-Year Results
Year Record Pct. Notes
1951 4-2 .667 College World Series (Runner-up)
1993 1-2 .333 Mideast Regional
1994 3-2 .600 Mideast Regional
1995 6-2 .750 College World Series (4th place)
1996 3-2 .600 Atlantic Regional
1997 1-2 .333 Midwest Regional
2001 7-3 .700 College World Series (3rd place)
2004 1-2 .333 Kinston Regional
2005 5-2 .714 College World Series (8th place)
2019 2-2[12] .500 Chapel Hill Regional
2021 5-2[13] .714 College World Series (7th place)
2022 4-2[14] .667 Knoxville Super Regional
2023 6-3[15] .667 College World Series (5th place)
2024 9-2 [16] .818 College World Series (Champion)

Player awards

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National awards

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Sidney Hatfield (1951)
Dylan Dreiling (2024)
R. A. Dickey (1994)
Chase Burns (2022)
R. A. Dickey (1994)
Todd Helton (1995)
Todd Helton (1995)
Todd Helton (1995)
Luke Hochevar (2005)
Chase Burns (2022)
Chase Burns (2022)

SEC Awards

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Luke Hochevar (2005)
Chase Dollander (2022)
Todd Helton (1995)
Jeff Pickler (1998)
Chris Burke (2001)
J. P. Arencibia (2005)
Drew Beam (2022)

1st Team All-Americans

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Player Position Year(s) Selectors
B.B. Hopkins Third Base 1953 ABCA
Sam Ewing Outfielder 1970 ABCA, SN
Bobby Tucker Outfielder 1973 ABCA
Condredge Holloway Shortstop 1975 SN
Rick Honeycutt First Base 1976 ABCA
Alan Cockrell Outfielder 1984 SN
Doug Hecker First Base 1992 BA
R. A. Dickey Pitcher 1994, 1996 BA, CB
Todd Helton Pitcher/Utility 1994, 1995 NCBWA, ABCA, BA
Jeff Pickler Second Base 1998 ABCA, BA, CB
Chris Burke Second Base, Shortstop 2000, 2001 Baseball Weekly, BA, NCBWA, CB
Luke Hochevar Pitcher 2005 ABCA, BA, CB, NCBWA, Baseball Weekly
J. P. Arencibia Catcher 2006 College Baseball Foundation
Chase Burns Pitcher 2022 NCBWA
Chase Dollander Pitcher 2022 ABCA, BA, D1Baseball, Perfect Game, NCBWA
Drew Gilbert Outfielder 2022 NCBWA
Trey Lipscomb Third Base 2022 NCBWA
Blake Burke First Base 2024 ABCA, BA, D1Baseball, NCBWA, Perfect Game
Christian Moore Second Base 2024 BA, D1Baseball, Perfect Game
Source:"SEC All-Americas". secsports.com. Archived from the original on May 28, 2008. Retrieved July 24, 2008.

ABCA: American Baseball Coaches Association BA: Baseball America CB: Collegiate Baseball NCBWA: National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Denotes consensus All-American

Notable former players

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Todd Helton

Active Major League Players

Others

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "General Information". UTSports.com. June 14, 2017. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
  2. ^ "Tennessee Stats & Info". Twitter. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  3. ^ "Tennessee wins its first Men's College World Series title". ESPN. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
  4. ^ "Notebook: Tennessee baseball wins first championship in program history". The Daily Beacon. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
  5. ^ "The University of Tennessee, Knoxville | History Filter". The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. 1921: Shields-Watkins Football Field Completed. Retrieved July 14, 2021. Shields-Watkins Field, which originally included the track and space for baseball games...{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  6. ^ "Robert M. Lindsay Field at Lindsey Nelson Stadium". UTSports.com. University of Tennessee Athletics. Archived from the original on May 24, 2024. Retrieved October 24, 2009.
  7. ^ Knoxville News-Sentinel 1/29/2007
  8. ^ "Tennessee Fund - New Lindsey Nelson Stadium". Tennessee Fund. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  9. ^ "x.com". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  10. ^ "Tony Vitello - Head Baseball Coach - Staff Directory".
  11. ^ "2023 SEC Baseball Standings".
  12. ^ "2019 Division I Baseball Official Bracket | NCAA.com". www.ncaa.com. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  13. ^ "2021 Division I Baseball Official Bracket | NCAA.com". www.ncaa.com. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  14. ^ "2022 Division I Baseball Official Bracket | NCAA.com". www.ncaa.com. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  15. ^ "2023 Division I Baseball Official Bracket | NCAA.com". www.ncaa.com. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  16. ^ "2024 Division I Baseball Official Bracket | NCAA.com". www.ncaa.com. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
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