The seventh-ranked Tennessee offense was scorching hot Friday night at Devon Park, breaking Women's College World Series program records for runs (11) and hits (12) to defeat No. 3 Florida, 11-3, in an elimination game.
All nine Lady Vol batters in the starting lineup registered a hit in the contest, combined for five extra-base hits and contributed to driving in at least one run in all four innings at the plate. The effort helped the Big Orange break its previous scoring record of 10, which was set in the opening game of the 2023 WCWS against Alabama on June 1.
Earning a day of rest, Tennessee (46-16) advances to play the loser of the Texas Tech-UCLA contest on Sunday at 3 p.m.
ET on ABC. The Red Raiders and Bruins play Saturday night at 7 p.m.
It was the first meeting between the Lady Vols and the Gators (48-17) since the 2023 campaign. Tennessee's pitching by committee of
Karlyn Pickens,
Sage Mardjetko and
Erin Nuwer held Florida to just three runs on three hits and two walks while striking out five. Nuwer got the win after allowing just one base runner in two innings.
With the victory, UT boasts six wins over top-5 opponents this season, which is tied (2012) for the second most in a single campaign in school history behind seven in 2013. It marks the 19th run-rule of the season, the most since securing 22 in 2016.
Getting the starting nod in left field,
Alannah Leach enjoyed a 2-for-3 day at the plate, driving in a career-high-tying four runs.
Sophia Nugent and
McKenna Gibson each recorded a home run in the outing, doing so in back-to-back plate appearances. Nugent and
Laura Mealer also enjoyed multi-hit performances.
After surviving a scare in the top of the first when a pair of Gator batters reached base on balls, the Lady Vol offense exploded in the bottom half of the frame and hung a crooked number on the scoreboard. The first eight Tennessee batters reached base behind seven hits and a walk, giving the Big Orange a commanding 7-0 lead.
UT's seven runs was tied for the seventh-most runs scored in a single inning in WCWS history and tied Michigan (May 21, 1998 vs. Texas) for the second-most runs scored in a first inning.
Gabby Leach roped a pitch down the first baseline for her second triple of the season to kick off the inning. Three straight singles loaded up the bases for Tennessee, and after a walk by Gibson,
Alannah Leach cleared the bases with a liner to right center. She ended up scoring on a sac fly by
Emma Clarke.
The second inning didn't feature as many runs, but the fireworks continued for the Lady Vols. Facing a full count, Nugent took a pitch deep over the left-center fence. Three pitches later, Gibson sent one to the bleachers in right center for back-to-back long balls. UT added another run in the bottom of the third after Clarke scored on a fielding error by Florida's second baseman.
Florida got on the board in the top of the fourth thanks to a two-run shot and a solo homer in back-to-back at bats. In the bottom half of the inning,
Alannah Leach added her fourth RBI of the game with a single to left field that scored
Laura Mealer and made it an insurmountable 11-3 advantage.