KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – A three-run fourth inning proved decisive as Nebraska topped No. 7 Tennessee, 5–2, in Game 1 of the Knoxville Super Regional on Friday night at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium.
The Lady Vols (43–15) collected seven hits in the loss, with Gabby Leach leading the way with a single and a double.
Nebraska (43–13) got a strong two-way performance from Jordy Bahl, who pitched a complete game and also contributed offensively. Bahl allowed two runs on seven hits, struck out six and walked none. At the plate, she went 1-for-3 and scored twice.
The Cornhuskers struck early, taking a 1–0 lead in the top of the first on an RBI single that scored Bahl from first.
Tennessee answered in the second with a solo home run by Sophia Nugent, her 17th of the season and fifth in the last seven games, to tie the game at 1–1.
Nebraska reclaimed the lead in the third with an RBI double, then broke the game open in the fourth. Hannah Camenzind led off the inning with a solo shot, and two additional runs scored on two Tennessee errors to push the lead to 5–1.
The Lady Vols plated their second run in the fifth when Amanda Ahlin scored on a wild pitch, sliding in safely with two outs.
IN THE CIRCLE
Karlyn Pickens started and took the loss for Tennessee, falling to 22–9 on the season. She allowed five runs—three earned—on four hits over 3.2 innings, striking out seven and walking two.
Sage Mardjetko was effective in relief, tossing 3.1 scoreless innings. She held Nebraska hitless while walking two and striking out one.
DUE UP
Tennessee and Nebraska will play Game 2 of the best-of-three Super Regional on Saturday. First pitch is slated for 5 p.m. ET on ESPN.
