NORMAN, Okla. – No. 9 Tennessee dropped a hard-fought 4-1 decision to No. 2 Oklahoma on Saturday at Love’s Field, setting the stage for a decisive rubber match on Sunday.
Tennessee (28-7, 4-4 SEC) tallied four hits in the contest, with redshirt sophomore Taylor Pannell accounting for the Lady Vols’ only run. Trailing 4-0 in the fourth inning, Pannell led off the frame with a solo home run that caromed off the top of the wall. The blast, her team-leading 12th of the season, briefly sparked the Tennessee offense.
Oklahoma (31-2, 9-2 SEC) capitalized on timely hitting and patient plate discipline, scoring all four of its runs with two outs. The Sooners’ offense was fueled by five hits and four walks on the day.
The Sooners struck first in the opening inning, when a fly ball to right field was lost in the sun and dropped for an RBI triple. OU added to its lead in the third, with a two-out, three-run home run to left-center field.
Tennessee had an early scoring opportunity, as Saviya Morgan led off the game with a bunt single before stealing second. Pannell followed with an infield single and then stole second herself, putting runners on the corners with one out. However, Oklahoma escaped the threat with a pop-up and a groundout to end the inning.
IN THE CIRCLE
For the second consecutive day, sophomore Sage Mardjetko started in the circle for Tennessee. Mardjetko (8-2) took the loss after allowing four runs on four hits with four walks and a strikeout over three innings of work.
Freshman Erin Nuwer came on in relief to start the fourth inning and delivered a strong performance. Nuwer allowed just one hit and one walk while striking out two in her three innings of shutout work.
NOTABLE PERFORMERS
Pannell was the standout for Tennessee, going 3-for-3 with her solo home run. She is now 4-for-7 on the weekend and also stole a base in the first inning, her seventh of the season.
Morgan added a hit in a 1-for-3 effort, and her stolen base in the opening frame was her 20th of the season.
DUE UP
Tennessee and Oklahoma will meet in the series finale on Sunday at 2 p.m. ET. The game will be streamed live on SECN+.
