The Lady Vols are headed back to Oklahoma City to compete in the Women’s College World Series after sweeping the Georgia Bulldogs in the Knoxville Super Regional on Friday afternoon in game two by a score of 2-1.
The Lady Vols, up to bat first, quickly loaded the bases, but were unable to capitalize and went scoreless in the first inning. Tennessee starting pitcher Erin Nuwer then took the circle and threw her first strikeout of the night before allowing two hits. However, she would allow no runs and closed the inning.
In the second, it was all Sophia Knight, hitting only her second home run of her Tennessee career to put the Lady Vols on the board, 2-0. Nuwer took her place in the circle once again, but was later relieved by Sage Mardjetko.
While Tennessee’s offense could not get anything going in the third, Mardjetko completed three strikeouts against Georgia, shutting down the Bulldogs’ offense.
Again, the Lady Vols bats went silent in the fourth, but Mardjetko and Tennessee’s defense kept Georgia’s offense under control and held them scoreless.
Georgia’s pitching staff dominated in the fifth, going three up, three down, and the Lady Vols were unable to extend their lead any further. However, the Lady Vols would return the favor as Mardjekto went one, two, three to send it to the sixth inning.
In the sixth, the Lady Vols reached the base after Georgia walked infielder Makenzie Butt. However, Tennessee was unable to capitalize and add a run. Mardejtko battled through the sixth, allowing one hit, but closed the inning holding the Bulldogs to zero.
Tennessee entered the top of the seventh looking for a spark of the offense, but the bats went silent. It all came down to Mardjetko and the Lady Vols defense.
A win would not be easy, as Mardjetko’s struggle led to giving up a triple to the first batter, which would lead to a run scored for the Bulldogs to put them on the board, 2-1.
But Mardjetko kept her composure and punched out the final two outs to give Tennessee the win. Mardjetko’s pitching sends the Lady Vols back to Oklahoma City for the second year in a row, their tenth appearance all time.
Tennessee will begin play in Oklahoma City next week against the winner of Arizona State and Texas on Thursday.
