No. 10 Tennessee softball went on the road and came out with a series win over No. 1 Texas in Austin.
This marks road series wins over both the No. 1 and No. 2 programs in the country for the Lady Vols this year.
Here's what happened.
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April 11: Texas (L, 3-0)
Tennessee dropped game one of the series without producing a run. This put the Lady Vols in a hole after the opener on Friday that it would need to win two-straight to climb out of.
At the plate, Tennessee had chances to score. It recorded a pair of hits via Kinsey Fielder and Taylor Pannell singles and drew five walks. Despite this, the Lady Vols were never able to cross home. This came with six runners left on base.
In the circle, Karlyn Pickens got the ball but was pulled after one inning. She walked one, struck out two and allowed no runs. In relief, Erin Nuwer, Peyton Tanner and Sage Mardjetko got the ball. Nuwer allowed all three runs and was handed the loss.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Taylor Pannell - 1 AB, 1 H, 2 BB
April 12: Texas (W, 3-1)
Tennessee got its first runs of the series in the top of the first of game two. The Lady Vols produced a pair of runs to take a lead it didn't surrender.
This came off a McKenna Gibson two-run shot to left-center field. Tennessee also put up another run in the seventh off a Gabby Leach single. This was Leach's second hit of the game.
In the circle, Pickens got the ball. She threw a complete game while allowing just one run and grabbing her 16th win of the year.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Karlyn Pickens - 7.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 8 K, 109 NP
April 13: Texas (W, 4-1)
Another dominant day in the circle helped Tennessee earn the series win. Texas got its only run of the game in the first inning before the Lady Vols slammed the door closed.
Pickens threw another complete game to earn the win. She allowed just one run on six hits while striking out 10. She earned win No. 17 on the year.
The best day at the plate came from Gibson. She finished with three hits in three at-bats for a trio of RBI. This included a double and sac-fly.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Karlyn Pickens - 7.0 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 10 K, 1 HBP, 112 NP
Up next
- Thu: Auburn (6 p.m. ET)
- Fri: Auburn (6 p.m.)
- Sat: Auburn (2 p.m.)
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