The Lady Vols are one win away from heading back to Oklahoma City after defeating the Georgia Bulldogs, 3-1, in game one of the Knoxville Super Regional.
The 7-ranked Lady Vols welcomed SEC opponent, the 10-ranked Georgia Bulldogs, on Thursday night for game one of the Knoxville Super Regional.
Lady Vol fans packed out Sherri Parker Lee Stadium. Even when the Bulldogs fans challenged them with their noise, Tennessee fans were loud all night.
Superstar Karlyn Pickens found herself starting in the circle and immediately proved why, leaving two runners stranded in the first. Tennessee’s offense was up next and did not disappoint the crowd. Sophia Knight, up first, sent the ball over the fence, recording only her second home run of her career and putting the Lady Vols on the board in the bottom of the first. Emma Clarke followed in Knight’s footsteps with a solo shot of her own, keeping the offense rolling.
In the top of the second, the Bulldogs fought right back during a two-out rally with a solo home run from Emily Digby, making it a one-point game. But Tennessee’s offense didn’t have a response for the Bulldogs in the bottom of the second.
After giving up four hits in the first two innings, Pickens found her groove in the third, punching a quick three outs. The Lady Vols’ offense could not extend the lead and headed into the fourth only leading by one.
Pickens continued to battle through the fourth as Tennessee’s defense held its own. Georgia’s defense began to slip as Gabby Leach reached first due to a fielding error. As Tennessee’s offense started to gain momentum, Georgia brought in freshman pitcher Presley Harrison to work the Bulldogs out of the jam and hold the Lady Vols scoreless in the fourth.
The Lady Vols shined on both sides of the ball in the fifth. Third baseman Ella Dodge was phenomenal with an incredible throw to first to record the first out of the inning. Pickens then dominated in the circle, recording two more strikeouts on the night. On the offense, Alannah Leach’s solo home run extended Tennessee’s lead 3-1, the Lady Vols’ first run scored since the first inning.
Pickens started the sixth on fire, but struggled to get the last out, allowing two runners to reach base. But, in true Pickens fashion, she worked out of the jam to hold the Bulldogs scoreless. Tennessee would also go scoreless.
Tennessee entered the seventh ahead by two, and the goal was simple: do not allow a run. But, as Georgia doubled down the third base line, it would not be that easy. The umpire called the ball fair, but Karen Weekly made a quick challenge to the call. The bad news, the call was upheld, fair ball. Soon enough, Georgia loaded the bases. But Pickens finished what she started, working out the jam and getting the Lady Vols the win.
