Baseball team

Dustyn Winder

<a href=mailto:dwinder1@utk.edu><dwinder1@utk.edu></a> 

The wait is almost over for Volunteer baseball fans. Kicking off against Morehead State on Friday, February 22 at 3 p.m., the Diamond Vols look to start off strong with a win on their home field.

With only three seniors and a new skipper in Todd Raleigh, the Vols aren't expected to sit atop the SEC, but newcomer Todd Barnett thinks that the team has what it takes to win the conference.

"We aren't picked to be at the top of the SEC at all, but we definitely have the
pieces to win an SEC championship," Barnett, a sophomore pitcher, said.

Tennessee will be tested early when they travel to Houston on February 29 to play in the Minute Maid College Classic. Only five games into the season, the Vols will face a challenge in Texas when they go up against three Big 12 opponents, including the 16 ranked Texas Longhorns according to the Baseball America preseason poll.

            While the tournament will prove to be a true test early on, Barnett feels that two or three wins would be a solid boost for the team going forward with the rest of the 2008 campaign.

            "We are facing a big test in Houston," Barnett stated. "If we can get out of there with two or three wins, that will give us a lot of momentum and confidence for the rest of the season."

            Southeastern Conference play is set to begin Friday, March 14 when the Tigers of Louisiana State University roll into Knoxville for a three game set. More information on scheduling, the roster and team news can be found at the <a href=http://utsports.com/baseball/default.aspx?id=72>UT Sports webpage</a>.

            Barnett is ready to get on with the season and see the results of all the team's hard work.

            "We have worked really hard this off-season," he said. "It'll be fun to see
it pay off, hopefully."

Related web sites:

 <a href=http://utsports.com/baseball/default.aspx?id=72>UT Sports webpage</a>

This article was written by Dustyn Winder,

<a href=mailto:dwinder1@utk.edu><dwinder1@utk.edu></a>

------

Contacts:

Todd Barnett, <a href=mailto:tbarnet5@utk.edu>tbarnet5@utk.edu</a>