No. 7 Lady Vols Roll Past No. 2 Texas 6-3 in WCWS Opener
Imae: Drew Garrison/Tennessee Athletics
By Aidan Sidoti
OKLAHOMA CITY – No. 7 Tennessee opened its Women’s College World Series run with a statement win, knocking off No. 2 seed Texas 6-3 on Thursday afternoon in Oklahoma City.
Texas ace and reigning WCWS Most Outstanding Player TeganKavan got the start for the Longhorns but delivered one of the roughest postseason outings of her career. Tennessee struck first in the top of the second when designated player Alannah Leach was hit by a pitch and Mackenzie Butt followed with a walk. Catcher and Knoxville native Elsa Morrison then launched a three-run home run to center, marking the first earned run Kavan had allowed in 32.2 WCWS innings.
Texas managed only one hit off Tennessee starter Sage Mardjetko, a third inning single from Jaycie Nichols. Mardjetko finished with 1 strikeout and no runs allowed across 4 innings before fellow All-American Karlyn Pickens entered in the fifth.
Tennessee extended its lead to 4-0 in the top of the fifth after Texas turned to senior right-hander Citaly Gutierrez, who threw back to back wild pitches that allowed outfielder Taelyn Holley to score following her leadoff single.
Texas finally broke through in the bottom of the fifth. Pickens surrendered consecutive hits to Hannah Wells and Ashton Maloney to start her appearance, before a Victoria Hunter fielder’s choice brought home a run on a throwing error by shortstop Bella Faw.
The Lady Vols answered immediately. In the top of the sixth, Elsa Morrison ripped an opposite field double off the top of the right center wall, inches shy of her second home run of the day. Gabby Leach followed with an infield single to push the lead back to 5-1.
Texas made one more push in the bottom half when a Reese Atwood two-out single set up a Leighanne Goode two-run homer to cut the deficit to 5-3. Tennessee again responded, this time with an Emma Clarke sacrifice fly in the seventh that scored Holley to make it 6-3.
Pickens, a two time SEC Pitcher of the Year, shut the door in the bottom of the seventh with three straight groundouts to secure the win and send Tennessee into the winner’s bracket.
The Lady Vols will be off Friday before facing No. 11 seed TexasTech on Saturday at 3 p.m. ET on ABC.
