The fourth-ranked Lady Vols secured their first SEC series sweep of the season Saturday, defeating Auburn 4-1 at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium.
With the win, the Lady Vols (37-9, 12-6 SEC) have now claimed 21 of their last 23 SEC series, posting a 53-16 record with nine sweeps during that stretch. The current run includes three series wins over Auburn, two of which have been sweeps.
Both pitching staffs kept the offenses in check early, but Tennessee struck first in the second inning.
After a two-out error extended the frame and a walk loaded the bases, a wild pitch allowed
Gabby Leach to score from third, giving the Lady Vols a 1-0 lead.
Tennessee added to its advantage in the fifth with a three-run surge. Senior
Kinsey Fiedler opened the inning with a double, and
Taylor Pannell was intentionally walked to put two on for
McKenna Gibson. Gibson singled to center to bring home Fiedler, and after another intentional walk loaded the bases,
Laura Mealer delivered a two-RBI single to right field to make it 4-0.
Auburn (27-20, 4-17 SEC) scratched across a run in the sixth on a two-out RBI single, but the Lady Vols shut the door from there to complete the sweep.
Sophomore right-hander
Sage Mardjetko earned her 10th win of the season with another strong outing. Making her second start of the weekend, she allowed just one run on three hits and one walk over six innings, striking out five.
Junior
Karlyn Pickens came on in the seventh to earn her second save in as many days, giving up just one hit to close out the win.
Tennessee has now won its last four series against Auburn, sweeping three of them.
Mardjetko was dominant throughout the weekend, picking up two wins while allowing just five runs on eight hits with 13 strikeouts and only one walk.
Pannell continued to shine, going 5-for-8 (.625) in the series with four runs scored, a triple, a home run, two RBIs and a stolen base. She was also intentionally walked three times.
Tennessee wraps up its nonconference and midweek slate Tuesday night, hosting Clemson at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. ET on ESPNU.