COLUMBIA, Mo. – No. 8 Tennessee used timely hitting and a strong pitching performance from Karlyn Pickens to secure a 3-1 victory over Missouri in Game 1 on Thursday night at Missouri Softball Stadium.
Tennessee (41-8, 15-7 SEC) broke through in the fifth inning, capitalizing on defensive miscues to take control. A leadoff single by Elsa Morrison and a Missouri error put two runners on for the Lady Vols. Bella Faw executed a sacrifice bunt to move them into scoring position for pinch hitter Makenzie Butt.
She ripped a two-run single into center field to give Tennessee a 2-0 lead.
The Lady Vols added an insurance run in the sixth when Alannah Leach launched a solo home run to center field, extending the advantage to 3-0. The blast was her team-leading 12th long ball of the year.
Missouri (27-27, 8-14 SEC) answered in the bottom of the sixth with a solo homer from Stefania Abruscato, cutting the deficit to 3-1, but that would be all the Tigers could manage.
Sage Mardjetko got the start in the circle for Tennessee, but struggled to find the zone. She recorded two outs in the first inning before giving way to Pickens.
It was Pickens’ game from there as she went the final 6.1 innings. She allowed one run on four hits with one walk and nine strikeouts. Pickens earned the win to improve to 13-6 on the year.
Missouri threatened again in the seventh, putting two runners in scoring position, but Tennessee held firm to close out the win.
The Tigers started Cierra Harrison in the circle, and she went five innings, allowing three runs – two earned – on eight hits. She did not allow a walk and notched three strikeouts. Harrison suffered the loss and is 10-10 on the year.
Abby Carr pitched two innings in relief, giving up a pair of hits with one strikeout.
UT scattered 10 hits on the night with Leach going 3-for-3 at the dish with a run scored and an RBI.
DUE UP
Tennessee and Missouri will continue the three-game set on Friday, May 1, with first pitch scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on SEC Network+.
