The Porch: Tennessee sets sights on SC Tournament in Hoover
Tennessee baseball has completed the regular season as the Southeastern Conference co-champions and enters the SEC Tournament as the top-seed at the Hoover Metropolitan Complex in Hoover, Ala.
The No. 1 Vols (46-10, 22-8 SEC) will await the winner of Tuesday’s (8) Vanderbilt and (9) Florida matchup to begin their journey in Hoover with a 5:30 pm eastern time first pitch on Wednesday evening.
Tennessee was one-and-done at the SEC Tournament a year ago, losing 3-0 to Texas A&M. The Vols won the SEC Tournament championship in 2022, beating Vanderbilt, LSU, Kentucky and Florida on the way to the title.
Tony Vitello led Tennessee to the SEC Tournament championship game in 2021, too, but the Vols lost to Arkansas 7-2.
Former Tennessee first baseman Luc Lipcius joins The Porch to preview all the action ahead for what should be an action packed week of baseball ahead of regional play next weekend. A big-time thanks to our friends over at Spivey, King & Spivey, LLP for making The Porch possible for a second season. Problem? Let us help find a solution. Call 423-245-4185 for a free consultation today.
About Luc Lipcius
Lipcius ended his UT career as the program’s home run king, launching his 40th career longball in his final game in a Volunteers uniform in 2022. In fact, the first baseman belted three home runs vs. Notre Dame in Super Regional play, battling teammate Evan Russell for the crown. Of note, VFL and MLB Hall of Famer Todd Helton finished his Tennessee career with 38 home runs. Current Tennessee first baseman Blake Burke recently broke the record with his 41st career long ball coming in game two at Auburn and now sits at 46 for his career. Current second baseman Christian Moore has since surpassed Burke and is at 54 career round trippers, after tying Burke for the third time and then moving past him with a three home run day in game three at Kentucky earlier this season.
The first baseman was also known for having a good glove while his bat came around towards the end of his career. Lipcius played a key role in Tennessee’s program-record 57-win campaign in 2022 and was a fixture in the lineup for back-to-back Eastern Division titles, including a sweep of the Southeastern Conference titles in 2022.
A multiple Academic All-District selection, SEC Academic Honor Roll selectee, Academic All-American member and 2022 Community Service Team member – the first baseman finished his Tennessee career batting .275 with 40 home runs, 123 RBI, 158 runs scored, 34 doubles and 27 stolen bases across six seasons on The Hill.
Vols in the national polls this week
NCBWA – No. 1
USA Today – No. 1
Baseball America – No. 1
Perfect Game – No. 1
D1 Baseball – No. 1
