LEXINGTON, Ky. – No. 9 Tennessee secured the SEC series win over Kentucky on Sunday night with a 6-0 win at John Cropp Stadium.
The Lady Vols (36-6, 11-6 SEC) started Sage Mardjetko in the circle and got another excellent outing from the junior righty. She tossed five innings and scattered three hits with one walk and five strikeouts.
She earned the win and is now 9-1 on the year.
Senior Karlyn Pickens threw the final two innings in relief, picking up her third save of the year. Pickens did not allow a hit or a walk and finished the night with four strikeouts.
Tennessee struck first on Sunday night with a run in the third inning. Bella Faw roped a single to right field to get the frame going before advancing to second on a groundout.
Emma Clarke pulled a ball down the left line that Kentucky’s third baseman misplayed, allowing Faw to come all the way around to score.
The Wildcats (24-21, 1-16 SEC) threatened in the bottom half of the inning, as a single and a walk put two runners on with two away. Mardjetko held the line and escaped the inning with a strikeout.
UK threatened again in the fourth and fifth innings with one-out doubles in both frames. Mardjetko was able to get out of both innings without allowing a run, including a strikeout to end the fifth.
The Lady Vols added a little insurance in the sixth. With two away, freshman Taelyn Holley stole second before Saviya Morgan hit a single back through the middle of the infield. Holley was able to beat the throw to the plate, scoring UT’s second run of the game.
Tennessee blew the game open in the seventh, posting a four-spot on five hits and an error. All four runs in the frame came with two outs.
DUE UP
Tennessee and Kentucky wrap up the three-game series on Monday night. First pitch is slated for 7 p.m. ET on SEC Network.
