KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 8 Tennessee ran its win streak to 13 on Saturday afternoon as it knocked off No. 11 Missouri, 8-2, at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium – clinching the series victory.
The turning point came in the fourth inning as the Lady Vols hit their fourth grand slam in as many games to break the game open and take a 6-1 lead.
Tennessee (21-4, 2-0 SEC) loaded the bases for Taylor Pannell thanks to a fielder’s choice, a hit-by-pitch and a walk. The sophomore battled Mizzou’s Cierra Harrison for nine pitches before hitting her first-career grand slam on the 10th pitch of the at-bat.
McKenna Gibson extended the advantage in the sixth as she knocked a two-RBI single to left, scoring Bella Faw and Kiki Milloy. Gibson finished the day 2-for-3 with a run scored.
Milloy was 1-for-2 at the plate, reaching base on a single and a pair of hit-by-pitches. The graduate scored three runs, including the game’s first run on an error in the opening frame.
Freshman Bella Faw tacked on another run in the second as she hit her second home run of the weekend – also her second of the year – off the light pole in left field.
With Tennessee leading 2-0 in the top of the fourth, Missouri’s Maddie Gallagher cut into the lead with a solo home run to center field. Gallagher accounted for both Tiger runs as she roped an RBI double to left center in the seventh inning.
Payton Gottshall got the start in the circle for Tennessee and went the distance, scattering three hits and allowing two runs. The graduate walked seven but struck out 10 on the day and picked up her ninth win of the season.
Missouri (22-5, 2-3 SEC) went with Harrison to start the game. She went 3.2 innings and allowed six runs – five earned – on three hits and five walks. Lilly Whitten came on in relief and tossed two frames – giving up two runs – one earned – on two hits.
Nathalie Touchet pitched for Mizzou for the second day in a row, facing just two batters in the sixth.
STAT OF THE DAY
With Tennessee’s fifth grand slam of the season in the fourth inning, it has already matched last season’s total. Giulia Koutsoyanopulos, Sophia Nugent, Taylor Pannell, Zaida Puni and Rylie West have hit UT’s grand slams this season – four of which have come this week.
UP NEXT
Tennessee and Missouri close out the three-game series on Sunday with a 1:30 p.m. ET first pitch. The game can be streamed on the WatchESPN app or through SEC Network+. Fans can also listen to Voice of the Lady Vols Brian Rice call the action on AM990.
