KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The No. 6 Lady Vols clinched a series victory against the third-ranked Georgia Bulldogs and secured their 30th win of the season with a spectacular performance in the late stages of the game on Sunday at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium.
Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the sixth, a one-out single by Rylie West put two Lady Vols in scoring position with runners on second and third. Sophia Nugent’s one-out, opposite-field blast on the next at-bat propelled Tennessee (30-6, 10-2 SEC) to its 3-1 victory.
Tennessee’s Karlyn Pickens got the start in the circle and retired the first six batters she faced, aided by five strikeouts. The sophomore right-hander finished the day with eight punchouts in five innings, allowing three hits and a run.
Payton Gottshall came on in the top of the sixth and secured her 13th win of the season, retiring Georgia’s (31-8, 7-5 SEC) final six batters in order with three strikeouts.
Georgia took the initial lead in the top of the third inning with a sacrifice fly from Jaiden Fields, bringing Hannah Davila home to give the Bulldogs a 1-0 edge. Sunday’s rubber match between a pair of top 10 teams was a pitcher’s duel, as both teams combined for two hits entering the sixth inning.
Georgia began the sixth inning with back-to-back singles, prompting a pitching change and bringing an end to Pickens’ day in the circle.
Bulldog starter Shelby Walters took the loss, pitching 5.1 innings and conceding three runs and three walks.
UP NEXT
The Lady Vols will begin a three-game set against the Mississippi State Bulldogs in Starkville on Friday, April 12th at 7 p.m. ET.
