KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee Baseball is on the doorstep of claiming another SEC regular season title.
The Vols also can claim the SEC East Division title. They did both of those things in 2022.
They close league play with a three-game series against South Carolina. Here is where they stand.
SEC REGULAR SEASON TITLE RACE
Kentucky leads the SEC with a 20-7 record.
Tennessee is right behind them at 19-8. Arkansas is also a game behind, like the Vols with an identical record.
Texas A&M is still on the outside looking in with a 17-10 record. Arkansas and Texas A&M are in the SEC West division.
The Vols only claim the regular season title outright if they stand alone at the top of the SEC standings following the final series. If they tie with anyone in record, they will be co-champions, even though the Vols beat Kentucky in a series in Lexington this season.
However, if there is a tie, there will be tiebreakers in deciding the one seed for the SEC Tournament.
SEC EAST RACE
The Vols sit one game behind Kentucky in the SEC East.
Kentucky has a 20-7 record in conference play. Tennessee is right behind them at 19-7.
WHO EVERYONE PLAYS TO CLOSE THE SEASON
Tennessee, the top-ranked team in the country, plays No. 24 South Carolina in a three-game series that starts Thursday at 6:30 p.m. inside Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
No. 2 Kentucky will host Vanderbilt for a three-game series in Lexington.
No. 3 Arkansas and No. 5 Texas A&M square off for a top-five matchup in College Station.
WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN FOR THE VOLS
There are a lot of scenarios for the Vols to claim at least a share of the SEC regular season title and SEC East division title.
The thing that needs to happen first and foremost for them to have a chance is Kentucky needs to lose at least one game to Vanderbilt in the series finale.
If Kentucky sweeps Vanderbilt they will be the outright conference and vision champions.
Tennessee sweeping South Carolina obviously puts them in the best situation. Kentucky would be the favorite to beat Vanderbilt in a series. Arkansas and Texas A&M is a toss-up.
