The Porch: Big takeaways from LSU series, previewing No. 3 Florida

The conference slate is not getting any easier as a week after taking on the top-ranked team in the land, the Volunteers are set to host No. 3 Florida this weekend back on the home turf at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

Tennessee (21-8, 4-5 SEC) avoided the sweep and picked up an exciting game three 14-7 victory last weekend in Baton Rouge its last time out. Meanwhile, Florida (25-5, 7-2 SEC) took two of three over Auburn last weekend by averaging 10 runs a game in the series. The Gators doubled Bethune-Cookman on Tuesday, 8-4.

Former Tennessee first baseman Luc Lipcius joins Eric Cain on the Porch to break it all down.

About Luc Lipcius

Lipcius ended his UT career as the program’s home run king, launching his 40th career longball in his final game in a Volunteers uniform. In fact, the first baseman belted three home runs vs. Notre Dame in Super Regional play, battling his teammate Evan Russell for the crown. Of note, VFL and likely future MLB Hall of Famer Todd Helton finished his Tennessee career with 38 home runs.

The first baseman was also known for having a good glove while his bat came around towards the end of his career. Lipcius played a key role in Tennessee’s program-record 57-win campaign in 2022 and was a fixture in the lineup for back-to-back Eastern Division titles, including a sweep of the Southeastern Conference titles last spring.

A multiple Academic All-District selection, SEC Academic Honor Roll selectee, Academic All-American member and 2022 Community Service Team member – the first baseman finished his Tennessee career batting .275 with 40 home runs, 123 RBI, 158 runs scored, 34 doubles and 27 stolen bases across six seasons on The Hill.

Tennessee’s weekly game schedule

Thursday: No. 3 Florida at No. 11 Tennessee | 8 pm ET | ESPNU

Friday: No. 3 Florida at No. 11 Tennessee | 7 pm ET | SEC Network

Saturday: No. 3 Florida at No. 11 Tennessee | 2 pm ET | ESPN 2

Tennessee in the polls this week

USA Today – No. 8

NCBWA – No. 9

Perfect Game – No. 10

D1 Baseball – No. 11

Baseball America – No. 12

Collegiate Baseball – No. 17

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