A third-inning offensive outburst powered No. 7 Tennessee to a dominant 17-0 run-rule victory over Miami (Ohio) on Friday at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium in the opening round of the NCAA Knoxville Regional.
The Lady Vols (41-14) plated 11 runs in the third inning, recording their largest margin of victory and highest run total in NCAA Tournament history. The win marks Tennessee's 18th run-rule victory of the season and ninth by double digits.
Senior
McKenna Gibson ignited the scoring with a solo home run in the second inning—her 44th career blast, tying her with LVFL Madison Shipman for fifth-most in program history.
Emma Clarke followed with an RBI double to give UT a 2-0 lead.
The third inning saw Tennessee bat around, highlighted by Clarke's two-run double, a three-run homer from
Gabby Leach, and a grand slam by
Laura Mealer.
The Lady Vols also added runs via a hit-by-pitch and a bases-loaded walk.
In the fourth,
Saviya Morgan drove in a run with a single before
Sophia Nugent launched a three-run shot.
IN THE CIRCLE
Karlyn Pickens (21-8) earned the win, pitching three scoreless innings while striking out six and allowing just two hits and a walk. Sophomore
Sage Mardjetko closed out the final two frames, surrendering one hit and one walk while fanning two.
CHECK THE STATS
Gibson's second-inning home run moved her into a tie for fifth on Tennessee's all-time list.
Nugent notched her ninth double of the season, a career high.
Tennessee broke its previous NCAA Tournament scoring record of 12 runs, which it had achieved six times since 2014.
DUE UP
Tennessee will take on Ohio State in the winner's bracket game on Saturday. First pitch is slated for noon ET.