Tennessee
Unheralded, Veteran Vols Propel Tennessee Baseball To Latest Regional Win | Rocky Top Insider
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The 2024 Tennessee baseball team has stars galore in its lineup including five players with 17-plus home runs this season. Despite an unconventional approach to the pitching staff, the Vols have a handful of highly effective pitchers that could be early draft picks.
But it was the unheralded and oft-maligned veterans that made Tennessee’s sweep through the Knoxville Regional and its 12-3 victory over Southern Miss on Sunday night look as easy as it was.
Zander Sechrist was a career midweek pitcher entering this season and even when he opened the year as a weekend starter for Tennessee, there was a prevailing thought that he was a place holder before younger, more talented arms developed into the role. While Sechrist isn’t one of Tennessee’s three most effective pitchers in its peculiar pitching structure, he’s undoubtedly a reliable and effective left-handed arm in pitching coach Frank Anderson’s arsenal.
The quirky senior proved he’s a team favorite because of his extreme toughness and competitiveness in addition to his light hearted humor against the Golden Eagles. Sechrist spent minutes on the ground when a 105 MPH Davis Gillespie liner struck him on the outside of his left knee to lead off the fourth inning.
The senior not only stayed in the game but worked out of the inning unscathed. Sechrist allowed three unearned runs on an evening his defense did him few favors but his 4.2 inning outing once against put Tennessee in a solid spot.
“I think it just shows what type of teammate he is. He’s a tough guy,” catcher Cal Stark said. “He’s going to go out there and compete. You know whenever something like that doesn’t go his way, he’s going to have everyone one of our backs.”
“He’s a tough kid in his own way,” Tennessee coach Tony Vitello said. “He’s the definition of a quirky lefty, a lovable kid and a great teammate. Somehow, it’s kind of odd how he gets out there and is as much of a competitor as Hunter Ensley and Cal Stark.”
Few Tennessee players have faced more criticism than Stark in recent years. The Vols’ backstop continued his bounce back season with one of his best weekends at the plate, reaching base in seven-of-14 plate appearances and hitting three home runs over the weekend.
More From RTI: Everything Tony Vitello Said After Tennessee Won The Knoxville Regional
His fifth inning solo shot gave Tennessee the lead against Southern Miss and his three-run ninth inning shot was the exclamation point on a once tight game that had turned into a route.
“We could dissect why he’s gotten better offensively or why he’s gotten better over the course of four years, but I think they all fall under the umbrella of he meets challenges head on,” Vitello said.
The disdain Tennessee center fielder Hunter Ensley faced as recently as a month ago was more ridiculous than any others faced. One of the Vols’ top hitters on a College World Series team a season ago, Ensley struggled at the plate for much of the season while playing stout defense in center field.
Ensley was hitting .238 entering Tennessee’s series final at Florida on May 3. In 17 games since then, he’s hitting .393 with a .534 on-base percentage, three home runs, seven doubles and 18 RBIs.
“I’m as much for competition as anybody, but when you do have experience and we know truly what you can do in games, it does give you an edge,” Vitello said on his trust in Ensley. “Based off what he did for us last year in so many different situations, you can’t erase that. … We kind of pay attention to certain things that are just always there. Whether it be taking charge in the outfield, being able to be one of the better center fielders in the country, defensively, being an aggressive and really good baserunner and being a fighter at the plate.”
The redshirt junior center fielder is now hitting .285 on the season after recording five hits and reaching base nine times over the weekend.
Tennessee’s does have and has had plenty of elite talents under Vitello. Those guys are a big reason why Tennessee is back in the super regionals for a fourth straight season. But whether it be Will Heflin and Pete Derkay or Sechrist, Stark and Ensley— unheralded veterans always find a way to make a major impact on Vitello’s squads.
The trio of seniors are playing their best baseball of the season for Tennessee right now and that’s just making the top-seeded Vols look all the scarier. Their performances made a regional a drama free weekend, something you don’t often see.
Tennessee
Franklin police ticket 13-year-old after e-bike crash, and a new Tennessee law brings more changes July 1
WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WTVF) — Franklin police cited a 13-year-old following a crash involving a motorized bike, and a new Tennessee law taking effect July 1 will bring additional restrictions for young riders.
On April 21, Franklin officers responded to a fender bender at the Interstate 65 off-ramp at the Goose Creek Bypass involving a 13-year-old on a motorized bike and a vehicle. Both the teen and the adult driver were waiting for officers when they arrived. The woman behind the wheel was visibly shaken and told officers the bike came out of nowhere while she was attempting to turn right on red.
The bike turned out to be more powerful than a standard e-bicycle. Under the law, it is not considered a bicycle at all — it is classified as a motor scooter, which falls under different laws than Class 1, 2, and 3 e-bikes.
“Downside is kids are about to get a bunch of tickets. He can’t ride that e-bike because it’s not just an e-bike — too much voltage, it’s a motor scooter,” Officer Spry with the Franklin Traffic Unit said.
“He can’t be on a sidewalk, he has to be in a bike lane, and it can’t be more than 28 miles an hour,” Spry said.
The driver of the car was cited for failure to exercise due care. The 13-year-old was cited for several violations, including not having a driver’s license, insurance, or registration. Franklin police say the citations issued to the teen are all appropriate under current law. Officers told the teen’s parent the citations would need to be answered in juvenile court. The family promised to trade the bike in for something safer.
Spry made clear this is not an isolated case.
“You’re not the only one that I’ve written this ticket to,” Spry said.
“This is probably one of the greatest opportunities for us to provide safety and save a life that we’ll ever see,” Franklin Alderman Greg Caesar said.
Starting July 1, only those 16 years and older will be legally allowed to ride Class 3 e-bikes, which can reach speeds of 28 miles per hour. The new law changes the age of those allowed to operate Class 3 e-bikes and does not affect the motor scooter classification that applied in this case.
Franklin city leaders are debating changes to local e-bike laws. Alderman Greg Caesar described it as a nuanced problem but said educating parents should start now.
“It needs to be considered, as some of these e-bikes and riders can do real and significant damage,” Caesar said.
Do you have more information about this story? You can email me at Amanda.Roberts@NewsChannel5.com
This story was reported on-air by Amanda Roberts and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
Students help relaunch donation drive for Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt
Young or old, we all love to play board and card games! Those games become even more important when you are indoors and don’t have the ability to get outside, like patients in a hospital. Austin Pollack shares the story of students in a Nashville family who have helped re-launch the Red Wagon project to collect games for patients at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.
– Lelan Statom
The Tennessee Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at June 2, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from June 2 drawing
15-26-43-48-60, Mega Ball: 12
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 3 numbers from June 2 drawing
Morning: 0-0-1, Wild: 3
Midday: 9-7-5, Wild: 4
Evening: 7-6-1, Wild: 0
Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 4 numbers from June 2 drawing
Morning: 8-9-1-2, Wild: 9
Midday: 2-9-3-3, Wild: 2
Evening: 6-6-1-6, Wild: 7
Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Daily Tennessee Jackpot numbers from June 2 drawing
02-03-05-36-38
Check Daily Tennessee Jackpot payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from June 2 drawing
16-33-41-50-52, Bonus: 01
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
All Tennessee Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $599.
For prizes over $599, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at Tennessee Lottery offices. By mail, send a winner claim form, winning lottery ticket, a copy of a government-issued ID and proof of social security number to P.O. Box 290636, Nashville, TN 37229. Prize claims less than $600 do not require a claim form. Please include contact information on prizes claimed by mail in the event we need to contact you.
To submit in person, sign the back of your ticket, fill out a winner claim form and deliver the form, along with the ticket and government-issued ID and proof of social security number to any of these locations:
Nashville Headquarters & Claim Center: 26 Century Blvd., Nashville, TN 37214, 615-254-4946 in the (615) and (629) area, 901-466-4946 in the (901) area, 865-512-4946 in the (865) area, 423-939-7529 in the (423) area or 1-877-786-7529 (all other areas in Tennessee). Outside Tennessee, dial 615-254-4946. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount.
Knoxville District Office: Cedar Springs Shopping Center, 9298 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37922, (865) 251-1900. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $199,999.
Chattanooga District Office: 2020 Gunbarrel Rd., Suite 106, Chattanooga, TN 37421, (423) 308-3610. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $199,999.
Memphis District Office: Chiles Plaza, 7424 U.S. Highway 64, Suite 104, Memphis, TN 38133, (901) 322-8520. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $199,999.
Check previous winning numbers and payouts at https://tnlottery.com/.
When are the Tennessee Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10:00 p.m. CT Tuesday and Friday.
- Cash 3, 4: Daily at 9:28 a.m. (Morning) and 12:28 p.m. CT (Midday), except for Sunday. Evening game daily, seven days a week, at 6:28 p.m. CT.
- Daily Tennessee Jackpot: 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
- Tennessee Cash: 10:34 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
- Powerball Double Play: 10:30 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Tennessean editor. You can send feedback using this form.
WASHINGTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WCYB) — The Washington County, Tennessee Isaiah 117 House hosted a fundraiser event Tuesday to help support area children who are entering the foster care system.
The event took at Boones Creek Christian Church where organizers hope to raise around $20,000 to go towards funds for the house and raise awareness for the organization.
The organization which began in the Tri-Cities now has more than 60 houses in 13 states.
The group helps care for children who are entering foster care while they are waiting on their foster placement.
“We feel like we have an obligation to continue to do this for the generations to come, for the children who haven’t been born yet,” Washington County Isaiah 1:17 House Support Coordinator Katie Wilt said. “We know they are going to need us. We wish they didn’t but we know that they are, so part of this luncheon is to fundraise to make sure that we are able to sustain the care and the hope for the children of the future.”
BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT
To view the Isaiah 117 website, click here.
-
Los Angeles, Ca44 minutes agoPolice investigate deadly stabbing in Tarzana; suspect in custody
-
Detroit, MI1 hour agoDetroit Tigers sweep Tampa Bay Rays in win as Dillon Dingler stays hot
-
San Francisco, CA1 hour agoRetired San Francisco firefighter dies from lung cancer after Blue Shield denies treatment claims
-
Dallas, TX1 hour agoTrackdown: Dallas 7-Eleven robbery suspect wanted
-
Miami, FL1 hour agoThis new Italian restaurant in Brickell only has 10 items on the menu
-
Boston, MA1 hour agoVisiting Boston this summer? Here are 8 navigation tips you need to know.
-
Denver, CO2 hours agoDenver-ish Central Market? RiNo food hall vendors claim they’ve been pushed out
-
Seattle, WA2 hours agoNew Ben & Jerry’s location opening at Seattle waterfront’s Pier 54
