Game Recap: Softball | February 15, 2025
LAKE CHARLES, La. – Redshirt sophomore Taylor Pannell had a standout performance at the plate, sparking No. 6 Tennessee to a doubleheader sweep of McNeese on Friday night at Cowgirl Stadium. The Lady Vols won the first game 12-0 before securing a 10-2 victory in game two.
Pannell went 6-for-8 with four runs, one double, two home runs, and seven RBIs across the twin bill. She has now homered in three consecutive games and in four of the last five.
Ella Dodge also had an impressive night, finishing 3-for-7 with two home runs and three RBIs.
GAME ONE: #6 TENNESSEE 12, McNEESE 0
Three multi-run home runs powered Tennessee to a 12-0 win in game one, which ended in six innings. Dodge hit a two-run homer in the fourth to give the Lady Vols a 4-0 lead.
A six-run sixth inning was sparked by a three-run shot from Pannell and a two-run blast from Laura Mealer.
Junior Karlyn Pickens earned the win, tossing five innings, allowing four hits, and striking out five. Freshman Peyton Tanner pitched one inning of relief, giving up one hit and one walk.
GAME TWO: #6 TENNESSEE 10, McNEESE 2
Tennessee hit three more home runs in game two, with Dodge and Pannell going deep again, while sophomore Gabby Leach hit her first career homer in the fifth inning.
Leading 3-2 in the fourth, Pannell hit a two-RBI double to extend the lead. Leach then added a solo shot in the fifth to pad the advantage.
Both Pannell and Dodge homered again in the sixth, with each hitting solo shots.
Sophomore Ryan Brown capped the scoring in the seventh, doubling down the left-field line to score Pannell and Katie Taylor.
Erin Nuwer started in the circle and pitched two innings, allowing two runs on two hits with two walks and a strikeout. She was relieved in the second but returned to finish the game in the seventh.
Sage Mardjetko threw five shutout innings of relief, giving up one hit, walking two, and striking out five. Mardjetko earned her third win of the season.
DUE UP
Tennessee will play two games on Saturday, beginning at 1 p.m. ET against Lamar, followed by a 3:30 p.m. matchup with Tulsa. Both games will be held at the LU Softball Complex in Beaumont, Texas. The contest against Lamar will be streamed on ESPN+.
