KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee softball begins NCAA Tournament action this weekend as the Lady Vols play host to the 17th consecutive Knoxville Regional at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium. UT was selected as the No. 11 national seed and welcomes Ohio State, Oregon State and Campbell to Rocky Top for the postseason event.
 
Limited tickets are available at AllVols.com and can also be purchased at the Sherri Parker Lee ticket office when gates open to the public one hour prior to first pitch of the first game each day. Parking is free for all games in lots S14 and C25 adjacent to Sherri Parker Lee Stadium and Regal Soccer Stadium, and fans should note that Tennessee Athletics’ clear bag policy will be in effect.

Fans are encouraged to visit the Tennessee softball gameday information page before making their way to Sherri Parker Lee to familiarize themselves with gameday policies and procedures.
 
WEEKEND SCHEDULE: The four-team regional will take place Friday to Sunday as a double-elimination tournament, with the winner advancing to the Super Regional round. After Oregon State and Ohio State square off Friday at 4 p.m. to begin the Knoxville Regional, the Lady Vols will open NCAA Tournament play against the reigning Big South Conference Champions of Campbell at 6:30 p.m.
 
Friday, May 20
Game 1: Ohio State vs. Oregon State | 4 p.m. (ESPNU)
Game 2: Tennessee vs. Campbell | 6:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
 
Saturday, May 21
Game 3: G1 Winner vs. G2 Winner | 12 p.m.
Game 4: G1 Loser vs. G2 Loser | 2:30 p.m.
Game 5: G3 Loser vs. G4 Winner | 5 p.m.
 
Sunday, May 22
Game 6: G3 Winner vs. G5 Winner | 2 p.m.
Game 7: G6 Winner vs. G6 Loser (If necessary) | 4:30 p.m.
 
HOSTING IS A HABIT: Tennessee’s 17 consecutive regional hosting bids tie Florida and Alabama for the longest streaks of any team in the country. UT will make its 19th overall NCAA Tournament appearance and owns a 78-42 record in the postseason showcase.
 
The Lady Vols have advanced past the Regional round 11 times overall and boast a 46-16 all-time record during the opening weekend of the NCAA Tournament.
 
STRONG REGIONAL: Among the 16 regional host sites, the 2022 NCAA Knoxville Regional field owns the second-highest average RPI at 37. Campbell is the second-highest rated No. 4 seed—checking in the RPI at 74—while Ohio State and Oregon State come in at No. 25 and 37, respectively.
 
ALL-REGION HONOREES: Tennessee’s standout trio of Erin Edmoundson, Kiki Milloy and Zaida Puni were each recognized on the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Southeast Region Teams on Thursday. Edmoundson and Milloy were named to the second team, while Puni received third team accolades.
 
NOTING THE FIELD: Tennessee owns a 16-5 combined all-time record against Ohio State, Oregon State and Campbell and has faced all three teams at least once in the last three years.
 
Ohio State (35-15, 13-9 B1G)

• Head Coach: Kelly Kovach Schoenly (Record at OSU: 302-186-1)
• Series Record: Tennessee leads 3-0
• Key Player/Stat: In the circle, graduate student Lexie Handley is Ohio State’s first 22-game winner in 13 years and ranks third in the Big Ten with 259 strikeouts.
• Last Meeting: The Lady Vols met the Buckeyes in the 2019 NCAA Knoxville Regional, winning 12-4 to advance to the regional final. Current players Ashley Morgan, Amanda Ayala, Kaitlin Parsons and Ashley Rogers each appeared in the contest for the Big Orange.

Oregon State (33-19, 9-15 Pac-12)

• Head Coach: Laura Berg (Record at ORST: 262-229-1)
• Series record: Tennessee leads 7-5
• Key Player/Stat: Junior infielder Frankie Hammoude leads Oregon State with a .391 batting average, 13 home runs and 35 RBIs. She was 0-for-1 with a run scored in Tennessee’s meeting with the Beavers on February 25.
• Last Meeting: The Beavers knocked off No. 17 Tennessee 5-2 earlier this season at the Mary Nutter Classic. Pitcher Mariah Mazon spun a gem, going the distance with 11 strikeouts and one earned run in the winning effort.

Campbell (37-17, 21-6 Big South)

• Head Coach: Sharonda McDonald-Kelley (Record at CU: 101-79)
• Series record: Tennessee leads 6-0
• Key Player/Stat: Pitcher Georgeanna Barefoot was named Big South Tournament MVP, going 2-0 with a 0.37 ERA and 13 strikeouts in 19.0 innings pitched.
• Last Meeting: UT outscored the Camels 27-1 in a pair of five-inning victories last year at the Reveille Classic in College Station, Texas. Kiki Milloy slugged 2.600 between the two contests with three homers, six runs scored and six RBIs.

UP NEXT: The winner of the Knoxville Regional will take on the winner of the Tuscaloosa Regional in the Super Regional round next weekend, May 27-29.

-UT Athletics