ATHENS, Ga. – No. 5 Tennessee dropped a 6-1 decision to No. 7 Arkansas on Thursday in the SEC Softball Tournament quarterfinals at Jack Turner Stadium.
The Lady Vols (40-14) managed six hits in the game, led by senior Laura Mealer’s perfect 3-for-3 performance. Saviya Morgan, Taylor Pannell and Ella Dodge accounted for Tennessee’s other hits.
Arkansas (40-11) broke a scoreless tie in the fourth inning. After a single and a double put two runners in scoring position, Kailey Wyckoff hit into a fielder’s choice. Tennessee’s defense attempted to cut down the lead runner at the plate but threw the ball into left field during a rundown, allowing two runs to score on the error.
Tennessee answered in the sixth, stringing together singles from Dodge, Morgan and Pannell. Pannell’s infield hit drove in Dodge to cut the deficit to 2-1 and kept the rally alive. However, Arkansas center fielder Reagan Johnson made a leaping catch at the wall to rob Sophia Nugent of a potential game-tying hit.
In the seventh, Arkansas broke the game open with a grand slam to seal the victory.
IN THE CIRCLE
Junior right-hander Karlyn Pickens (20-8) went the distance for Tennessee, giving up six runs—three earned—on seven hits. She struck out 10 and walked two.
DUE UP
Tennessee awaits its postseason fate on Sunday, May 11, when the NCAA Tournament field is announced at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
