Tennessee
Tennessee Pitcher Zander Sechrist Pens Farewell To Vol Baseball | Rocky Top Insider
Tennessee left-handed pitcher Zander Sechrist penned a long farewell message to Vol baseball on his Instagram account Saturday afternoon.
Sechrist finished a four-year Tennessee career in the most incredible fashion, posting six straight brilliant starts to end his career. The left-handed pitcher allowed just five earned runs in 34.2 innings pitched (1.30 ERA) while posting a 1.01 WHIP in the final six starts of his college career.
His final start came in game three of the College World Series finals against Texas A&M when he allowed just one earned run on six hits and one walk while striking out seven batters in 5.1 innings pitched. Sechrist was the winning pitcher in the game that Tennessee secured its first ever National Championship.
More From RTI: Tennessee Baseball 2024 MLB Draft Preview
In his farewell post, Sechrist thanked Vol nation:
“Words can’t describe how much I want to thank each and everyone one of you for your loving and caring support over the 4 years that I have worn the Power T.”
Sechrist went on to thank his teammates:
“To all the former teammates I can’t thank you guys enough for taking both a young freshman and old senior under their wing to help me get to this point. Thank you to all the infielders and outfielders for all your effort and the amazing plays that you made behind me while I was pitching. All the catchers that have caught me thank you for putting up with me and trying to get on the same page. To all the pitchers what a group we had each year and there was always something to keep us loose before games and during practices.”
Sechrist also specifically spoke about his teammate and fellow left-handed pitcher Kirby Connell who have become great friends in recent years:
“To Kirby, Man we did it. Crazy how much we’ve talked about this moment for a long time. We delivered what we wanted to do and there’s no better person I rather go out on top with. I appreciate you taking me in and I can’t thank you enough. You’re always one phone call away. You’ll always be the brother that I’ve always wanted.”
Sechrist also thanked Tony Vitello and the entire Tennessee coaching and support staff:
“To Coach V(itello), Coach A(anderson), Coach E(lander), Q(uentin Eberhardt), Rich(ard Jackson), Bonny (Luke Bonfield), Parker (Serrano), Megan (Young), Woody (Jeff Wood) Thank You for taking a chance on a young kid who wanted to play baseball and even through the ups and downs we prevailed through them all. You guys have built what is now a powerhouse baseball program. Everyone plays a part and that is what is so special about this culture and team.”
And lastly Sechrist thanked the media:
“To the media personnel that was always willing to laugh at my jokes during interviews. All the extra videos that never went on Twitter. Thank you for putting up with a guy who truly just wanted to be a fun personality guy to give people a laugh.”
While Sechrist is out of eligibility his baseball career is not over yet. A MLB team could potentially select him in this weekend’s MLB Draft. If not, he’ll almost certainly sign an undrafted free agent deal.
Tennessee goes wild for In-N-Out’s burgers east of the Mississippi
Animal‑style arrives in Tennessee, In‑N‑Out’s first locations east of the Mississippi River.
In-N-Out Burger will soon be opening its fifth Tennessee store.
The beloved burger chain lists six locations as “opening soon” on the Grand Openings page of its website, including a restaurant in Madison. The Madison location will open at 1900 Gallatin Pike North, about 13 miles northeast of Nashville.
The store also plans to open stores in Arizona, Utah, Idaho and two in California, USA TODAY reported.
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In-N-Out, which announced plans for a major expansion and a new headquarters in Tennessee in 2023, opened its first Tennessee restaurants in December 2025.
The chain, known for animal-style fries and double-double burgers, opened locations in Nashville’s Antioch neighborhood, Murfreesboro and Lebanon in early December. It then opened a fourth Tennessee restaurant in Franklin just a few months later.
Here’s what else to know about the West Coast-based company’s expansion into the Volunteer State.
Why is In-N-Out expanding to Tennessee?
In-N-Out is moving to Tennessee to establish a $125 million corporate hub in Franklin, on the Berry Farms site near Interstate 65. It’s estimated that In-N-Out’s expansion into Tennessee will create 275 jobs and a $125 million investment in the state.
Lynsi Snyder confirms relocation to Tennessee
In 2025, billionaire heiress Lynsi Snyder announced she would relocate her family to the Volunteer State as the company expands eastward.
In a podcast appearance with conservative host Allie Beth Stuckey, Snyder cited frustrations with California’s high costs and regulatory burdens on businesses and families.
“There’s a lot of great things about California, but raising a family is not easy here. Doing business is not easy here,” Snyder said. “The bulk of our stores are still going to be here in California, but it will be wonderful having an office out there, growing out there.”
After facing criticism for her comments, Snyder clarified that moving to Tennessee offers In-N-Out associates “wonderful opportunities” to buy homes, raise families, and participate in the company’s growth in a new region.
In a video posted to social media, she called the move “a very healthy plan for our growth,” highlighting opportunities for employees in Tennessee and potentially neighboring states.
How many In-N-Out stores are coming to Tennessee?
During a Nashville Business Journal event in 2025, Snyder said that the company is eyeing 35 locations across Tennessee in the coming years.
How many stores does In-N-Out currently operate in Tennessee?
As of July 2026, In-N-Out operates the following stores in Tennessee:
- Antioch: 4242 Century Farms Terrace
- Franklin: 1951 Double Double Drive
- Lebanon: 915 South Hartmann Drive
- Murfreesboro: 2508 Medical Center Parkway
- Madison: 1900 Gallatin Pike North (Opening soon)
Diana Leyva covers trending news and service journalism for The Tennessean. Contact her at Dleyva@gannett.com.
Tennessee
A Tennessee woman was heard screaming, ‘he’s got a gun.’ Now her husband is pleading guilty to her murder.
BYRDSTOWN, Tenn. (WSMV) – A 72-year-old man in Pickett County entered a guilty plea to the second-degree murder of his wife Theresa Marie Foutch.
Johnny Ray Foutch was sentenced to 20 years in custody of the Department of Corrections at 100% day for day, said District Attorney Bryant C. Dunaway.
Theresa’s adult sons were consulted about the plea and were supportive of the sentence.
Dunaway said that the incident in question took place on July 13, 2025, at their home in Byrdstown. The Pickett County Sheriff’s Office paid a visit to their home after Johnny’s daughter requested that officers check on the married couple.
When Chief Deputy Steve Wilbur arrived at the home and approached the front of the house, he says he overheard a man and a woman arguing inside.
He said he then heard the female voice yell, “He’s got a gun.” That’s when he says he heard a gunshot.
The deputy took cover outside the home. Moments later, Johnny walked out the front door holding a Sig Sauer handgun.
Wilbur secured Johnny and went into the home, where he found Theresa lying face down in the living room. She appeared to have been shot in the back.
Officers searched the home and said they found a shell casing on the floor of the dining room, just 10 to 15 feet away from Theresa’s body.
Dunaway said that a forensic pathologist who performed an autopsy determined that Theresa’s cause of death was a gunshot wound to her back. The manner of her death, the pathologist said, was homicide.
Copyright 2026 WSMV. All rights reserved.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – The State of Tennessee’s annual sales tax holiday is set to begin at the end of July in 2026.
The holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. Friday, July 31 and runs through Sunday, August 2 at 11:59 p.m.
Certain goods may be purchased tax-free during this weekend event.
“Certain restrictions apply. Items sold online are also eligible. Items must be purchased for personal use, not for business or trade,” the Tennessee Department of Revenue said.
Previously, the state has listed the following items that are and are not tax-free:
Clothing
- Tax-Free: General apparel that costs less than $100 per item. Things like shirts, pants, socks, shoes and dresses.
- Not Tax-Free: Items over $100, jewelry, handbags and sports equipment
School Supplies
- Tax-Free: School supplies that are less than $100 per item. Think backpacks, pencils, notebooks and art supplies.
- Not Tax-Free: School supplies more than $100 each.
Computers
- Tax-Free: Computers less than $1,500. Laptops and tablets as well.
- Not Tax-Free: Storage media like flash drives, printer supplies or household appliances.
Copyright 2026 WSMV. All rights reserved.
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