Following a thrilling 5-4 victory in 14 innings against Jacksonville University on Saturday, the Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) baseball team is set to take on the No. 16-ranked University of Tennessee Volunteers on Tuesday. The game is scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. and will be broadcast live on the SEC Network Plus.
The Colonels (13-18, 4-8 ASUN) demonstrated strong pitching during their series against the Jacksonville Dolphins, with the staff posting a 3.31 ERA while striking out 30 batters and walking only 23 in 32 and two-thirds innings. In recent games, EKU’s Charlie Ludwick has been impressive, batting .333 with a home run, three RBIs, and four runs scored in his last three appearances. Ludwick also boasts a .500 on-base percentage, having drawn four walks.
EKU’s defense has been formidable this season, ranking third in the nation in double plays turned with 34. Junior right-hander Rian Yates is set to start on the mound for the Colonels, currently holding an 8.47 ERA over 17 innings this season.
The No. 16 Tennessee Volunteers (22-10, 5-7 SEC) recently lost two out of three games at home against No. 2-ranked Florida, but managed to secure a 14-2 win in the series finale. First baseman Blake Burke leads the team in batting average (.325) and home runs (11), while second baseman Christian Moore tops the team with 34 runs and 12 stolen bases.
Tennessee’s pitching staff boasts the second-lowest team ERA in the nation at 2.99, striking out 362 batters in 274 innings and walking only 78. Junior left-hander Zander Sechrist will start for the Volunteers, holding a 1.37 ERA this season with 19 strikeouts and just two walks in 19 and two-thirds innings.
Tennessee currently leads the all-time series 17-2, having won five consecutive matchups since EKU’s 8-7 victory in Knoxville on March 3, 2010. In their most recent encounter on March 15, 2022, the Volunteers triumphed 7-1. The Colonels managed to restrict the then-No. 2-ranked Volunteers to their second-fewest runs scored that season. Conner Davis hit a solo home run for EKU in the top of the fourth inning, while Sechrist started for Tennessee, allowing just one hit, one run, and one walk while striking out seven in five innings.