No. 1/4 Tennessee bounced back in dominant fashion Saturday afternoon, shutting out No. 16 Ole Miss, 6-0, at Ole Miss Softball Stadium to even the series.
The Lady Vols (38-11, 13-7 SEC) broke a scoreless tie in the fourth inning, capitalizing on a bunt single and a Rebel error.
Taylor Pannell led off the frame with a bunt and advanced to second on a throwing miscue. A deep flyout moved her to third, and
Sophia Nugent brought her home with a sacrifice fly to right.
Tennessee added to its lead in the fifth as
Kinsey Fiedler drove in
Ella Dodge with a two-out RBI single.
The Big Orange broke the game open in the seventh, scoring four runs on four hits.
After loading the bases with two singles and a walk, Pannell delivered a three-run double to right, clearing the bags and giving UT a 5-0 advantage. She later came around to score on a fielder's choice by
Alannah Leach.
Ole Miss (34-13, 10-10 SEC) threatened in the sixth, stringing together back-to-back singles. However, Tennessee ace
Karlyn Pickens slammed the door with two strikeouts and a fielder's choice to escape the jam.
IN THE CIRCLE
Pickens was electric in the circle, going the distance for her sixth shutout of the season. The junior right-hander allowed seven hits and a walk while striking out 10. The complete-game effort marked her 17th of the year and eighth double-digit strikeout performance of the 2025 campaign.
CHECK THE STATS
Pannell extended her on-base streak to 20 consecutive games, tying her career-high set earlier this season.
Pickens recorded her 200th strikeout of the season in the fourth inning—marking back-to-back 200-strikeout seasons. She's the first Lady Vol since Ellen Renfroe (2013–14) to accomplish that feat.
DUE UP
Tennessee and Ole Miss wrap up the three-game series on Sunday. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m. ET on SEC Network+.