KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Eastern Kentucky University will play its seventh game of the season against a ranked opponent when the Colonels travel to face No. 5 Tennessee on Tuesday.
 
The game will begin at 6 p.m. and air live on the SEC Network+.
 
THE COLONELS
-  EKU (2-14) suffered a 3-game sweep against Wright State over the weekend.
 
-  As a team, EKU hit .339 and scored 30 runs in the series against Wright State.  The Colonels had five home runs, seven doubles, 13 walks and a .404 on-base percentage.


-  In three games against WSU, Tait Nunnally hit .533 with a double, three home runs, 10 RBIs and a 1.200 slugging percentage.  He went 6-for-6 with two home runs, a double, four runs scored and six RBIs in the series finale.  He is the first Colonel since 2016 to have six hits in a game.
 
-  In EKU's last five games, first baseman Miguel Larreal is batting .400 with a home run and six RBIs.
 
-  Freshman Bradley Stewart will make his first career start.  The lefty is 0-0 with an 8.10 ERA.  He has struck out six in 3 1/3 innings of work over four appearances.  In his most recent appearance, on Friday against Wright State, Stewart struck out three of the five batters he faced and did not allow a hit in 1 2/3 innings.
 
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
-  Tennessee is 16-1 this season and has won 15 straight games.  The Volunteers are 14-0 at home after sweeping Illinois this past weekend.  UT out-scored the Illini 38-7.
 
-  Redshirt sophomore outfielder Kavares Tears leads the team with a .404 batting average and has scored a team-high 24 runs.
 
-  Third baseman Billy Amick is hitting .365 with a team-best nine home runs and 21 RBIs.  The junior is slugging .873.
 
-  Nate Snead has been the most used bullpen arm.  The sophomore right-hander is 4-0 with a 1.80 ERA in 20 innings of work over five appearances.

-  Senior left-hander Zander Sechrist will start for UT.  He is 0-0 with a 5.40 ERA this season.  He has made four appearances with three starts and has struck out 15 in 10 innings of work.
 
INSIDE THE SERIES
-  Tennessee leads the all-time series 21-2.  The Volunteers are 18-2 against the Colonels in Knoxville.
 
-  The most recent meeting came last season, a 14-2 Tennessee win on April 11, 2023 in Knoxville.  Will King hit a solo home run in the first inning to give EKU an early lead against the 12th ranked Volunteers.  Matthew Corlew also hit a solo home run for the Colonels.