KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Tennessee made another late-inning comeback, scoring two runs with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to send the game to extra innings, but Middle Tennessee State answered with a run in the 10th to hand the Vols their first loss of the season, 5-4 in the final contest of an eight-game homestand at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

"We knew this was a game where we were going to have to come out and play our best game of the year and we didn't," UT head coach Dave Serrano said. "I think we battled, I have no problem with that, but it was the details. We didn't come out and pitch the best baseball, we made some baserunning blunders and we missed a lot of signs. For us to be a good team, we have to be disciplined in all those areas.

"I think (the breakdowns) get magnified because we came out on the short end. We've been trying to let them feel good about what they were doing, but we were doing some things that were starting to concern the coaching staff and we knew it would eventually catch up with us and it did. Credit to (MTSU) for coming through and outlasting us, but I think the way we approached the game tonight is what hurt us. I think the game rewarded the right team."

Sophomore Carter Watson was saddled with a no-decision after tossing four shutout frames to open the contest, striking out three and allowing just two hits. Nick Williams (1-1) suffered the tough-luck loss, yielding a two-out RBI single to Ryan Stephens in the top of the 10th.

Joey McClung (1-0) picked up the win for the Blue Raiders after recording two outs in the ninth and Daniel Palo came on to strike out the side in the 10th and earn his first save of the year.

Chris Pierce and Parker Wormsley each had two hits for the Big Orange, while Chris Fritts and Wes Walker both drove in a run. For Pierce, it was team-leading fourth multi-hit contest of the season.

Down to its last out with runners on second and third in the bottom of the ninth, Zach Luther hit what appeared to be a game-ending groundball to short. The throw was a bit offline, however, and the ball sailed out of the first baseman's glove as he attempted to apply the tag on Luther, allowing both runners to score and Tennessee to tie the game at 4-4.

Fritts got the scoring started in the bottom of the first, bringing home a run for the Vols with a sacrifice fly. UT then jumped ahead 2-0 in the fourth when Walker singled home a run on a double-steal, hit-and-run that plated Fritts who led off the inning by getting hit by a pitch.

The Blue Raiders rallied to take a 3-2 lead in the top of the sixth, scoring on a double by Johnny Thomas, groundout by Matthew Drake and an infield single by Ryan Stephens. They then added to their lead in the eighth when Drake brought in another run with an RBI double.

The Vols fall to 7-1 on the year while the Blue Raiders improve to 5-3. The contest was UT's third extra-inning affair this season.

"I saw 30-plus guys in that locker room that were stinging a little bit," Serrano said. "I told them that was a good thing because losing will never be accepted in this program. I don't care who it is against, I want losing to hurt. I want them to hate losing more than they like winning and I felt that today."

Tennessee will be back in action this weekend when it travels to the Lone Star State to participate in the Houston College Classic, presented by Ticketmaster. The Vols will play Houston, Texas and Rice at Minute Maid Park, home of the Houston Astros.

"I'm looking forward to taking this team on the road and playing in a great atmosphere, because we are going to need to get used to that down the line," Serrano said. "We play some good competition each and every day so I'm excited about it, but we can't make it bigger than it is.

"It is just one game at a time, one pitch at a time. We will continue to try to play Vol baseball and throw more strikes, play better catch and put the ball in play more than the opponent, no matter what color uniform or what team we are playing."

For the most up-to-date information about Tennessee baseball, visit UTSports.com/baseball and follow @Vol_Baseball on Twitter.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Tennessee raced out to a four-run lead in the first inning and kept the pressure on offensively all game while four Volunteer pitchers combined on a two-hitter to clinch the series sweep over Seton Hall with a 10-2 victory on a beautiful Sunday afternoon at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

"I think this was our best game of the year and I'm very proud of them for that," Tennessee head coach Dave Serrano said. "In my mind, I keep trying to prepare them to not get complacent and I thought we got a little complacent in Saturday's game, especially early on. I thought from the first pitch today we were prepared and ready to play."

Tennessee improves to 7-0 on the season, while the Pirates fall to 2-6. The seven straight wins mark the second-best start to a season in school history behind only an 8-0 start to the 2003 campaign.

"[This team has] some mental toughness," Serrano said. "They are feeling really good about themselves. They are enjoying the success and don't want it to go away. I am aware of reality, but why not ride this and continue to feel good about ourselves. You can't be good unless you feel good about what you are doing and we have a group of young men that has a goal in mind to be the best team they can be. They are proving it each and every day."

Junior Nick Blount improved to 2-0 on the season with six strong innings, allowing just two runs on two hits while inducing 13 groundball outs on the day. Freshmen Joseph Vanderplas and Conner Stevens and sophomore Dalton Saberhagen combined to throw three innings of relief to close out the contest.

"The tone was set by Nick Blount," Serrano said. "He came out and looked like he had really good stuff early on. He was in command, and if the score had not have gotten out of reach, he was only at 66 pitches. It was a great time to get some young guys in and get him out on a good note after 66 pitches. I was very happy with the defense and he set the tone for this team."

The UT pitching staff held the Pirates hitless the final six innings, retiring 19 of the final 20 Pirate hitters, including a stretch of 18 straight. The four hurlers combined to induce 16 groundball outs and threw first-pitch strikes to 24 of the 31 hitters that they faced.

"I'm really happy with the progress we have made on the mound," Serrano said. "They are committing to the plan and they are committing to the philosophy. I think they are starting to see the success on committing to letting your defense help you. This game is about strike one. I am happy about the way the arms are coming together and I'm trying to get as many guys experience as I can. I want a lot of guys to grow up because we are going to need every single guy we have possible to be successful."

At the plate, senior Zach Osborne was 3-for-3 with three runs scored and an RBI, while freshman Jared Allen drove in three runs with a double and a run-scoring groundout. Junior Chris Fritts also added three RBIs, bringing in two on a triple and another on a bases-loaded walk.

Tennessee was ultra-aggressive on the basepaths all game, swiping a season high seven bases, including two each by Osborne and junior Drew Steckenrider.

The Orange and White offense wasted little time getting going, jumping out to a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the first, scoring on a bases-loaded walk, RBI groundout and a two-run double by Allen. The Pirates got two of the runs back in the top of the third, but the Vols had an immediate answer.

After a leadoff double by Steckenrider in the bottom of the third, a hit batter and sac bunt put two on for Allen who collected his third RBI of the day with a groundout off the pitcher's glove to short.

Tennessee got another leadoff hit in the fourth as Will Maddox opened the frame with a single through the left side before stealing second and moving to third on a wild pitch. Osborne then brought him home with his third hit of the day, a single to left. Three batters later, with Osborne at third, the Vols put Steckenrider in motion early at first. The Pirates were unsuccessful in their attempt to pick him off and Osborne scampered home on the play to put the Big Orange up 7-2.

UT continued to put its high-pressure offense on display in the sixth inning, scoring three more runs with the benefit of just one hit, taking advantage of a bases-loaded walk and getting a two-RBI triple by Fritts to round out the day's line score.

Tennessee will be back in action at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 28 when it hosts Middle Tennessee State. Sophomore and Murfreesboro native Carter Watson will make his first start of the season for the Volunteers while the Blue Raiders will counter with Farragut High School product Jordan Cooper.

For the most up-to-date information about Tennessee baseball, visit UTSports.com/baseball and follow @Vol_Baseball on Twitter.

The Tennessee baseball program will host its first Spring Break camp, designed to prepare campers ages 6-14 for their spring baseball seasons by providing them with a comprehensive overview of all aspects of the game.

The camp will run from 9 a.m. through noon, March 19-22 at Lindsey Nelson Stadium and will cover throwing, hitting, defense, pitching and baserunning. Instruction will be provided by current UT players and coaches only.

In addition, all campers will receive a free camp shirt and two free tickets to the March 21st game against Florida International where they will have the opportunity to take the field with the Vols for the national anthem.

Sign up now at TennesseeBaseballCamps.com or call Tennessee Director of Baseball Operations Kenny Gajewski for more information at (865) 974-2057.

When: March 19-22
Where: Lindsey Nelson Stadium
Who: Ages 6-14
Cost: $165
Sign Up: TennesseeBaseballCamps.com
More Information: Call Kenny Gajewski at (865) 974-2057
Details:
• All aspects of baseball will be covered (Throwing, hitting, defense, pitching and baserunning)
• All campers will receive a free camp shirt
• All campers will receive 2 free game tickets for the March 21st game against Florida International and each camper will have the opportunity to take the field with the Vols' starting lineup for the national anthem.
• Camp instructors will be current UT players and coaches only

Exactly eight months after being hired to be the head baseball coach at Tennessee, Dave Serrano met with the media one last time before getting ready to finally kick off his first season in a Volunteer uniform this weekend against Northern Illinois.

After 245 days on the job and less than 72 hours before his team's first true test, Serrano's message was one of excitement and anticipation in spite of the uncertainty about exactly what lies ahead.

"My coaching staff, myself and our players are excited about the road that we're about to go down together starting Friday," Serrano said. "You never feel as a coach that you're ever completely ready to start, but we think we're as ready as we're going to be. I think how we'll start learning more about what we need to do as coaches when this team is playing other competition.

"(The members of this coaching staff have) been at places where the expectations have been higher right out of the gate, but I don't know if we've ever been more excited about what's going to start Friday. That could tell you that we're pretty excited and feel honored to be leading this program now and a long time in the future."

While Serrano is quick to point out that this team can't and will not ever overlook any team on its schedule, Tennessee's goal this weekend is simply to improve as a team rather than put too much of its focus on what Northern Illinois is going to do.

"It's about what we do," Serrano said. "I haven't even looked at their stuff. I know they're going two left-handers Friday, Saturday and throwing a right-hander on Sunday. They're probably coming out of colder weather than we have, but it's not about what they do. It's about what we do."

"I do know that this team is going to play hard. I think it's a very unselfish team, which is important. Those are things that are going to have to maintain themselves throughout the year. I said this early on, it's going to take a full roster of players and a full staff of coaches each day being at our best to reach the potential of what we need to be. And that's a great challenge to have out in front of us."

VOLS UNVEIL NEW UNIFORMS
On Tuesday, Tennessee unveiled a new set of uniforms designed to create more of a traditional look for the Vols when they hit the field this season.

"It brings back a little bit of history to UT baseball and I think it gives us a sharp look," Serrano said.

In addition to the team's black batting practice top, Tennessee will also have separate orange and white tops with black piping and script Vols across the chest, as well as a traditional gray road uniform. The Big Orange will have their choice of plain white or pinstripe pants and will wear a black hat with an orange bill and an orange power T.

POSITION SPOTLIGHT: STARTING ROTATION
The Vols announced the starting rotation for the opening weekend against Northern Illinois on Tuesday.

As expected, junior Drew Steckenrider will get the nod on Friday. A power-arm that has hit as high as 97 on the radar gun, he will be making his seventh career start after doing so three times in each of his first two seasons at Rocky Top. The Lawrenceville, Ga., native has a career record of 2-1 and a 6.02 ERA in 29 total appearances to go along with 53 strikeouts in 46.1 innings of work.

"I'm going to be honest with you," Serrano said. "With Drew, I'm kind of basing it on potential a little bit. I don't like to be that way. I'm hoping Drew is able to perform to the level that his level will take him. He is a guy that can pitch on Friday. He is a guy that can match up with some of the better guys in the SEC and guys around the country. It's just a matter of him being able to do it week in and week out."

On Saturday, junior Zack Godley will be making his first start in a Tennessee uniform after leading the Vols with 28 appearances out of the bullpen last season. The second-year transfer from Spartanburg Methodist finished second on the team with a 3.38 ERA last year, striking out 34 in 32.0 innings and recording a pair of saves.

The most experienced pitcher on the Tennessee roster with 38 career appearances, including seven starts, junior Nick Blount will get the starting assignment on Sunday. The Loganville, Ga., product is 3-7 with a 6.98 ERA in his first two seasons in the Orange and White. A sinkerball pitcher, he has logged 78.2 innings, the most of anyone on the Vol pitching staff.

SEC COACHES POLL ANNOUNCED
The Southeastern Conference released its annual preseason coaches' poll on Monday with Tennessee projected to finish sixth in the Eastern Division. While not the most ideal place to start the season, Serrano and his staff just see it as another opportunity and another challenge to overcome.

"We want to prove it on the field," Serrano said. "You look at all the polls around the country, the Baseball America's and all that, that's someone's opinion. The game is still played on the field. We get that opportunity 30 times in the SEC and 55 times over the course of the year. My approach and my coaching staff's approach this year is every day that we suit up in a uniform, we get the opportunity to be the best team on the field that day."

TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Season tickets, 20-game flex plans and individual game tickets for the upcoming Tennessee baseball season are now on sale.

While supplies last, any fan who purchases two reserved-seat season tickets will receive a baseball autographed by Tennessee head coach Dave Serrano. Those who purchase four reserved-seat season tickets will receive a jersey signed by the Vol skipper.

Purchase your season tickets now by logging on to www.UTTix.com or calling the ticket office at (865) 656-1200.

For the most-up-to-date information on Tennessee baseball, visit www.UTSports.com/baseball and follow @Vol_Baseball on Twitter.

A renewed sense of excitement and optimism filled the air at Lindsey Nelson Stadium on Friday as the Tennessee baseball team hit the field for its first official team practice of the spring under the direction of first-year head coach Dave Serrano and his staff.

"It's obviously exciting," Serrano said. "I'm hoping the players are as excited as this coaching staff is for the start of us writing the story of this season. I don't know how the story will end, but I know we will be able to control a lot of the chapters and a lot of the pages that are written. We have a lot of work to do, so every time we get on the field it is going to be important for us to maximize the time we have out here."

In addition to the traditional work on fundamental physical skills, much of the coaching staff's focus during spring practice will be on developing the mental side of this year's Volunteer squad.

"I want to continue to build our competitiveness as a team," Serrano said. "We want competitiveness and consistency in all areas. Continue to throw more strikes, continue to make routine plays, continue to put the ball in play and continue to put pressure on the defense. This coaching staff, as you will come to find out, will never be satisfied with anything. No matter if we play the perfect game, we won't be satisfied with that. We want to get better and I think the players understand that now."

With 18 newcomers on this year's team, the Vols will be looking to returning starters such as senior shortstop Zach Osborne and junior centerfielder Chris Fritts for leadership on and off the diamond. With just nine pitchers who combined for only 15 starts last season returning for the 2012 campaign, the Big Orange won't have quite that same luxury on the mound.

"Most of our experience that has had success is our position players that are returning. Early on, that could be the thing that carries us a little bit. We need to grow up and we need to grow up fast on the mound. We have enough potential there, but sometimes potential is a dangerous word. We don't want to just hear potential, we want to see results. We will only go as far as mentally tough and consistent as our pitching staff is. That is eventually going to have to be the strong point of this team. For years to come that is going to be what this program is built around: pitching and defense."

Tennessee will open the 2012 campaign Feb. 17-19 when it hosts a three-game set against Northern Illinois at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

KEEPING IT SIMPLE
The Vols understand that getting the Tennessee program back to the upper-echelon of college baseball is not going to be an overnight process. With that in mind, they have their sights set on a set of goals that have to come before the ultimate destination.

"Our goals are easy," Serrano said. "We want to maximize our ability as a baseball team. Whatever our expectations are as a team, we want to get to that level and beyond. There is no win total that I have set out as a goal. Obviously this program hasn't been to the SEC Tournament in a while, so that is a goal that I have in mind.

"To me when you take over a program and are kind of rebuilding in some ways, you set stepping stones and that is the first step. We can't talk about Omaha until we get to the SEC Tournament. To be able to play good enough baseball in what is going to be another challenging year in this conference and to get to the SEC Tournament in Hoover I think would be a great feat for this team after the last few years. "

In order to begin reaching those goals, the Vols must first believe that they are capable of doing so, something Serrano and his staff try to remind the players of each and every day.

"It starts with the belief that you can do it," Serrano said. "If you don't think you can do it is probably not going to happen. People can see us as a coaching staff as arrogant, but we aren't arrogant we are just confident. We are confident in our track history of what we have been able to accomplish at different places and our development. There is no reason I don't think that can happen here in what I feel is a very special place here in Knoxville, Tennessee."

POSITION SPOTLIGHT: CLOSER CANDIDATES
The closer, always one of the most critical positions on any pitching staff and one that takes a special type of pitcher both in terms of physical ability as well as mental.

With the start of the 2012 campaign still 21 days away, the Vols' top two candidates for the role are sophomore Nick Williams and junior Samuel Davis from Columbia State Community College. Both pitchers are right-handed, but that is about where the similarities end.

A sidearm pitcher, Davis pitches to contact and has the ability to routinely induce groundball outs. Williams, meanwhile, is more of a power arm that will miss a lot of bats and generate more strikeouts.

How his closer gets outs is of little significance to Serrano, however. He is looking for the pitcher with the mentality to best get the job done.

You can't have a fear of failure," Serrano said. "You have to have a short memory. You can't remember what just happened the day before you just have to go out there and live pitch to pitch."

FIRST SCRIMMAGE
The squad split into two teams for its first official intrasquad scrimmage of the spring on Friday. Providing the highlights for the scrimmage were a pair of juniors in right-handed pitcher Drew Steckenrider and centerfielder Chris Fritts.

On the mound, Steckenrider twirled four quality innings, allowing just one run on one hit while striking out two. He also put his offensive abilities on display, collecting a pair of RBIs on a double down the left-field line and stealing a base. Fritts, meanwhile, launched a two-run home run onto "The Porch" in left field.

Sophomore southpaw Dalton Saberhagen also posted a solid performance toward the end of the evening with a pair of shutout frames, helping his own cause on two occasions with two terrific defensive plays.

SEASON TICKETS ON SALE
Season tickets and 20-game flex plans for the upcoming Tennessee baseball season are now on sale.

While supplies last, any fan who purchases two reserved-seat season tickets will receive a baseball autographed by Tennessee head coach Dave Serrano. Those who purchase four reserved-seat season tickets will receive a jersey signed by the Vol skipper.

Purchase your season tickets now by logging on to www.UTTix.com or calling the ticket office at (865) 656-1200. Individual game tickets will go on sale Feb. 1.

For the most-up-to-date information on Tennessee baseball, visit www.UTSports.com/baseball and follow @Vol_Baseball on Twitter.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - A limited quantity of tickets for the 2012 Tennessee Baseball Leadoff Banquet, presented by Coca-Cola, are still available and will remain on sale through Thursday, Jan. 12. Individual tickets are $40, while the cost for a table for 10 is $350.

The UT baseball program's 19th annual preseason banquet will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 18 at the Knoxville Convention Center. The event will begin with a reception and silent auction at 5 p.m., followed by dinner at 6 p.m. and the start of the program at 6:30 p.m.

Current ESPN analyst and two-time World Series manager of the Boston Red Sox Terry Francona is scheduled to be the featured guest speaker, while former Vol and current New York Met R.A. Dickey will be inducted into the Tennessee Baseball Hall of Fame.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.UTTix.com/baseballbanquet or by calling Tyler Jones in the UT Marketing Office at (865) 974-9001.

For the most-up-to-date information on Tennessee baseball, visit www.UTSports.com/baseball and follow @Vol_Baseball on Twitter.

ONLINE REGISTRATION

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - As part of the Dave Serrano Tennessee Baseball Academy, the Volunteer coaching staff will hold a series of fall clinics in the upcoming weeks. Space is limited to the first 40 applicants for each camp with registration available at TennesseeBaseballCamps.com.

Two clinic series will be offered, with one focusing on hitters and the other designed for pitchers and catchers. Both will also provide instruction on position-specific strength drills in a series of four two-hour sessions for $225 per player.

Leading the camps will be a Tennessee baseball coaching staff that has a combined 14 College World Series appearances. The staff has also tutored over 35 future Major League players, 15 MLB first-round draft picks and 36 collegiate All-Americans.

In the hitting school, participants will learn the fundamentals and mechanics of hitting, and will be taught how to fine-tune their philosophy and approach at the plate. Using college-level drills, the campers will also be instructed on situational hitting and bunting. The strength portion of the school will be position-specific with a focus on hand strength.

The pitching and catching school will be similar in structure with an emphasis on the fundamentals, mechanics and philosophy of pitching through the use of college-level drills and instruction. Camp participants will also go through pitcher fielding practice and situational pitching scenarios. In addition to implementing a long-toss program, the strength portion of the clinics will be position-specific with an emphasis on building shoulder and leg strength.

All sessions of the fall schools will be held outside at LIndsey Nelson Stadium, weather permitting. In the case of inclimate weather, the camps will be moved indoors to the recently constructed Tennessee Baseball Indoor Hitting and Pitching Facility.

USABaseball.com

DURHAM, N.C. - USA Baseball announced Tuesday the naming of Dave Serrano as manager of the 2012 Collegiate National Team. The new Tennessee Volunteer head coach will be making his managerial debut for Team USA.

Serrano was named the 24th head coach of the University Tennessee baseball program on June 15, on the heels of his fourth season at the helm of Cal State Fullerton. The former Titans skipper earned Big West Coach of the Year honors in 2011 for the second season in a row and led Fullerton to its 20th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.

"We could not be more pleased with Dave Serrano accepting our invitation to serve as manager of the 2012 Collegiate National Team," said Eric Campbell, general manager of USA Baseball National Teams. "The energy and passion he brought to the Collegiate program in 2010 was key to the success of that club, and we're confident those qualities will carry over to the 2012 team as well."

Serrano's first experience in the red, white and blue came as pitching coach of the 2010 Collegiate team. He helped guide a staff headlined by several 2011 MLB First-Year Player Draft first round picks, including Gerrit Cole (No. 1 overall, Pittsburgh Pirates), Sonny Gray (No. 18 overall, Oakland Athletics), Matt Barnes (No. 19 overall, Boston Red Sox), Tyler Anderson (No. 20 overall, Colorado Rockies), and Sean Gilmartin (No. 28 overall, Atlanta Braves). The 2010 club finished 16-3 overall, and Serrano's staff compiled a 1.22 ERA for the summer.

"It is a tremendous honor to be given the opportunity to lead the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team," said Serrano. "My experience on Bill Kinneberg's staff in 2010 was nothing but first class, and I am both excited and humbled to have the chance to put on the USA Baseball uniform once again. I look forward to putting together a talented staff and representing this great country next year."

Over 17 seasons at the Division I level, dating back to the start of his coaching career at Cerritos College in 1998 and including stints at Tennessee, UC Irvine and Fullerton, Serrano has secured 16 postseason bids and has tutored 161 draft picks. Seven of the picks were first-round selections and 23 ultimately reached the Major League level. Serrano has coached 19 players that have starred for USA Baseball National Teams, including Todd Helton and Christian Colon, and he is one of just 11 head coaches ever to lead two teams to the College World Series in Omaha (UC Irvine, 2007; Cal State Fullerton, 2009).

The 2012 Collegiate National Team schedule and the remainder of the coaching staff are currently being finalized. An announcement will be made prior to the end of the year and details will be available on www.USABaseball.com. In 2011, the Collegiate team finished with an 11-2-1 record, and its season was highlighted by a 3-1-1 series win over Japan in the two counties' bi-annual collegiate all-star friendship series.

About USA Baseball
USA Baseball is the National Governing Body of amateur baseball in the United States and is a member of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC). The organization selects and trains the World Baseball Classic Team and World Cup Team (and all other USA Baseball Professional Teams); the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team; the USA Baseball 18U, 16U and 14U National Teams; and the USA Baseball Women's National Team, all of which participate in various international competitions each year. USA Baseball also presents the Golden Spikes Award annually to the top amateur baseball player in the country. For more information, please visit www.USABaseball.com and www.GoldenSpikesAward.com.

University of Tennessee head baseball coach Dave Serrano put the finishing touches on his staff on Monday, hiring Kenny Gajewski (pronounced `GUY'-eh-ski') as the director of baseball operations.

Gajewski will be responsible for managing all baseball camps, oversight of student managers, serving as an academic liaison to the Thornton Athletics Student Life Center and the overall operations of the baseball program.

"I have been affiliated with Kenny for many years as he is both a former player and good friend of mine and I could not be happier to have him on board here at Tennessee," Serrano said. "He is a very intelligent young man that will bring organization and class to our baseball program."

A former pupil of Serrano's at Cerritos Junior College, Gajewski also played with UT associate head coach Greg Bergeron at both Cerritos and Cal State Dominquez Hills before transferring to Oklahoma where he helped the Sooners claim the 1994 national championship.

"When Coach Serrano contacted me and asked if this was something I would be interested in, it was an easy decision for me to make," Gajewski said. "To have the opportunity to work with these coaches, guys I would call best friends and family, was an absolute no-brainer. I am totally thrilled and feel that we truly have a chance to do something special here in Knoxville."

Following his playing days, Gajewski served as a graduate assistant for the Sooners in 1995 and as a volunteer assistant at Kansas State in 1996. He then returned to OU as the university's athletic turf and maintenance director in 1997.

In that role, Gajewski was responsible for maintaining all of the athletic fields and outdoor facilities while supervising a crew of seven full-time grounds workers and five full-time maintenance workers. In 2001, the field at OU's L. Dale Mitchell Park was named the Beam Clay Baseball Diamond of the Year. That same season, the OU Softball Complex was presented the Field Maintenance Award by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association and TURFACE sports field products.

Since 2007, Gajewski has been the owner and operator of three Norman, Okla.-based turf business - Champions Athletic Turf (athletic field renovation), Sooner Curb and Border (decorative concrete) and Ameriturf MidSouth (synthetic turf).

A native of Los Alamitos, Calif., Gajewski is a lifelong friend of Bergeron's, having played on numerous Little League teams together before their time at both Cerritos JC and Cal State Dominguez Hills.

Gajewski married the former Kristen Clifford of Oklahoma City in January 2002. The couple has a son, Preston (5) and a daughter, Logan (6 months).

For the most up-to-date information on Tennessee baseball, visit UTSports.com or follow @Vol_Baseball on Twitter.