Game Recap: Softball | February 09, 2025
CLEARWATER, Fla. – No. 6 Tennessee posted two more run-rule victories Saturday at the NFCA Leadoff Classic, defeating Notre Dame 10-2 and No. 21 Northwestern 12-1 at the Eddie C. Moore Complex.
Freshman Saviya Morgan starred in both games, going 4-for-5 with four runs scored and three RBIs. Against Notre Dame, the Columbia, Tennessee, native drove in two RBIs and scored once on three hits. Against Northwestern, Morgan scored three times and drove in one run.
Redshirt sophomore Taylor Pannell also had a standout day, blasting one home run and driving in five RBIs.
GAME ONE: No. 6 Tennessee 10, Notre Dame 2
Tennessee jumped out to an early lead, scoring four runs in the bottom of the second inning. Senior McKenna Gibson continued her strong start with a two-RBI single, followed by a two-run home run from Pannell deep to left.
Notre Dame responded with two runs in the third, aided by two errors that extended the inning. The Irish threatened to add more, but freshman pitcher Peyton Tanner entered in relief and shut them down.
UT answered with four runs in the bottom of the third, using small ball to extend its lead to six runs. After Morgan’s RBI single added another run in the fourth, senior Sophia Nugent ended the game with a bases-loaded RBI single to left, securing the run-rule victory.
Freshman Erin Nuwer started in the circle, pitching 2.1 innings and allowing two runs—none earned—on one hit with two strikeouts. Tanner pitched 2.2 innings in relief, giving up just one hit and recording her first career strikeout in the fifth. She earned her first career win.
GAME TWO: No. 6 Tennessee 12, No. 21 Northwestern 1
After a combined three runs in the first inning—two for Tennessee and one for Northwestern—the Lady Vols took control with a four-run second inning. Redshirt freshman Ella Dodge sparked the onslaught in with her first career home run, a two-run shot to center.
Dodge added another two-run homer in the third, as Tennessee extended its lead with three more runs.
The Lady Vols tacked on three additional runs in the fifth, completing their fourth consecutive run-rule victory.
Karlyn Pickens tossed a five-inning complete game, limiting Northwestern to one run on three hits. She walked three batters and struck out seven, earning her first win of the year.
DUE UP
Tennessee wraps up its stay at the NFCA Leadoff Classic with a Sunday matinee against Pittsburgh. First pitch is set for 11 a.m. ET.
