Game Recap: Softball | April 28, 2024
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The third-ranked Lady Vols fell 1-0 to No. 17 Alabama on Sunday at Rhoads Stadium in the final game of the three-game series.
Tennessee (37-9, 16-5 SEC) won the series with shutout victories in games one and two behind excellent pitching from Karlyn Pickens and Payton Gottshall.
The duo allowed just one run on the weekend, notched 14 strikeouts and allowed just four walks. Over 20 innings of work, Pickens and Gottshall held Alabama to 10 hits with one extra-base hit.
Sunday was a pitcher’s duel between Gottshall and Kayla Beaver as both pitchers held the opposing team in check.
Gottshall pitched 4.2 innings and was changed with the game’s only run after allowing a two-out triple.
Pickens came on to try and escape the jam, but a high slap hit to short allowed the run to score.
Gottshall ended her outing with four hits, allowing one run with one walk and two strikeouts. She suffered the loss – her fourth of the year. Pickens finished out the game, tossing 1.1 frames, giving up two hits and striking out one.
Beaver picked up the win – her 15th – tossing a complete game with six strikeouts and scattering two hits.
Kenleigh Cahalan and Kristen White led Alabama at the plate, with both going 2-for-3. The duo combined for the Tide’s only run with Cahalan knocking a triple to right, followed by White’s slap hit.
Alabama (32-14, 9-12 SEC) finished with six total hits as Emma Broadfoot and Lauren Esman each picked up a base knock.
UP NEXT
Tennessee closes out the regular season May 2-4 as it plays host to Kentucky at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium.
