SoftballMay 16, 2024
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee softball opens the NCAA Tournament this weekend as the three-seed Lady Vols play host to the 19th consecutive Knoxville Regional at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium. UT was selected as the No. 3 national seed – the highest in program history – and welcomes Virginia, Miami (OH) and Dayton to Rocky Top for the postseason showcase.
Limited walkup tickets are available 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 Virginia and Miami (OH) square off Friday at noon ET to begin the Knoxville Regional, the Lady Vols will open NCAA Tournament play against Atlantic 10 Champions Dyaton at 2:30 p.m.
Friday, May 17
SPL gates open at 11:00 a.m.
12:00 p.m. – Game 1 (Miami (OH) vs. Virginia)
2:30 p.m. – Game 2 (Dayton vs. Tennessee)
Saturday, May 18
SPL gates open at 12:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m. – Game 3
3:30 p.m. – Game 4
6:00 p.m. – Game 5
Sunday, May 19
SPL gates open TBD
TBD – Game 6
TBD – Game 7 (if necessary)
PARKING
Fans please be advised; it is graduation weekend at the University of Tennessee and traffic will be heavy around Neyland Drive and UT’s campus. All fans looking to attend the softball regional should be prepared for traffic congestion. Fans are reminded that parking shuttles will be free and available at the Agriculture Campus all weekend.
Shuttle Information
Friday, May 17: Beginning at 1:00pm
Saturday, May 18: Beginning at 11:30am
Sunday, May 19: TBD (hour and a half before first pitch)
HOSTING IS A HABIT
Tennessee’s 19 consecutive regional hosting bids tie Alabama for the longest streak of any team in the country. UT will make its 21st overall NCAA Tournament appearance and owns an 87-46 record in the postseason showcase.
The Lady Vols have advanced past the regional round 12 times overall and boast a 51-18 record all-time during the opening weekend of the NCAA Tournament.
NOTING THE FIELD
Tennessee owns a 19-4 combined record all-time against Virginia, Miami (OH) and Dayton.
vs. Virginia: 11-2 – first meeting since March 6, 2022
vs. Miami (OH): 6-2 – first meeting since February 21, 2021
vs. Dayton: 2-0 – first meeting since February 29, 2016
Virginia (32-18, 15-9 ACC)
Head Coach: Joanna Hardin (Record at UVA: 171-215)
Series Record: Tennessee leads 11-2
Key Player/Stat: After finishing the regular season with a 32-17 record – the Cavaliers went 15-9 in the ACC – they were eliminated from the conference tournament after falling to No. 23 Clemson 8-1. With a combined 2.45 ERA, Virginia’s pitching staff is highlighted by sophomore Eden Bigham who holds a 14-7 record and an individual ERA of 2.47.
Miami (OH) (48-7, 26-1 MAC)
Head Coach: Kirin Kumar (Record at Maimi: 173-54-1)
Series Record: Tennessee leads 6-2
Key Player/Stat: The Redhawks are coming off an impressive 2024, finishing the regular season 45-7 and earning the 2024 Mid-American Conference Championship title. Senior offensive threat, Karli Spaid, boasts .426 average at the plate and leads Miami with 72 hits, 76 runs and 36 home runs. The infielder has started all 55 games for the Redhawks and has successfully stolen nine bases this season.
Dayton (33-19, 19-7 A10)
Head Coach: Cara Clark (Record at UD: 413-423-2)
Series Record: Tennessee leads 2-0
Key Player/Stat: The 2024 Atlantic 10 Championship Tournament winners finished the regular season 30-19 and 19-7 in conference play. With 28 runs and 55 hits, juniors Maddie Kapsimalis and Chloe Wong have held down the offense for Dayton. Kapsimalis has notched 43 RBIs and holds a .360 batting average with 28 runs and 55 hits. Wong leads at the plate, hitting a team-high .360 with 54 hits, 11 doubles and 28 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 23-26.
