Lady Vols Defeat UGA (UT Athletics)
The sixth-ranked Lady Vols regained their momentum Friday night with a 5-1 series-opening victory over third-ranked Georgia at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium.
Tennessee (29-5, 9-1 SEC) also extended its home winning streak to 18 with the win.
The Lady Vols took an early lead when Mckenna Gibson hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning. The blast was the first of three hits for Gibson who finished with two RBIs and a run scored.
Georgia (30-7, 6-4 SEC) threatened in the top of the second inning, but Destiny Rodriguez and Sophia Nugent made a crucial defensive play to prevent a run by the Bulldogs – cutting down a UGA runner breaking for home.
The Lady Vols then added another run in the bottom of the third on a single by Nugent, bringing the score to 3-0.
Zaida Puni added a little insurance to the lead in the bottom of the fourth with a two-run double.
Georgia avoided a shutout with a fifth-inning solo home run off the bat of Emilly Digby.
Karlyn Pickens got the start for Tennessee in the circle, tossing her 11th complete game of the year en route to her 15th win.
The flamethrower scattered six hits over seven innings of work with six strikeouts and two walks.
The Weaverville, North Carolina, native allowed just one run on the night.
Lilli Backes started for the Bulldogs, throwing 3.1 innings before giving way to Shelby Walters who pitched the final 2.2 frames.
Backes struck out four on the night but also walked four and allowed three runs – two earned – on three hits. Walters gave up two runs on five hits with two walks and two strikeouts.
STAT OF THE DAY
Mckenna Gibson has been rock solid for Tennessee all season long but has upped her level in SEC play. The junior is hitting an even .400 through 10 league games – best on the team – while also leading the Lady Vols with three home runs and 11 RBIs.
She is slugging .743 with an OPS of 1.190.
UP NEXT
Tennessee and Georgia play game two of the series on Saturday with a first pitch set for noon ET. The matchup will air on SEC Network with Matt Schumacker (play-by-play) and Amanda Scarborough (analyst) calling the action.
Fans can also listen to Voice of the Lady Vols Brian Rice all weekend long on AM990.