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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Seventh-ranked Tennessee dropped a 6-3 decision to No. 14 Arkansas in eight innings on Saturday at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium.
 
The Lady Vols (26-5, 2-2 SEC) fought back from a two-run deficit in the third and a one-run deficit in the sixth, but could not overcome the Razorbacks’ three-run rally in the eighth inning.
 
Tennessee’s first comeback came in the third when McKenna Gibson launched a two-run home run—her sixth of the season—tying the game at 2-2. After falling behind 3-2, the Lady Vols answered in the sixth, when Sophia Nugent smacked her career-high-tying eighth double of the season to score Amanda Ahlin from first.
 
Nugent finished with two of Tennessee’s four hits on the day.
 
The game was tied 3-3 in the eighth when an error gave Arkansas (22-6, 2-5 SEC) an opening. The Razorbacks loaded the bases with back-to-back singles before a sacrifice fly put them ahead. A hit batter and two walks later, Arkansas added two insurance runs to secure the win.
 
Arkansas had struck first with a two-run homer from Courtney Day in the second inning. The Razorbacks added a run in the fifth on Kailey Wyckoff’s RBI single to right, giving them a 3-2 lead.
 
IN THE CIRCLE
Karlyn Pickens took the loss for Tennessee, tossing all eight innings. The right-hander allowed six runs—three earned—on eight hits, with four walks and 10 strikeouts. She is now 10-4 on the season.
 
GIBSON EXTENDS THE STREAK
With Gibson’s two-run blast in the third, she extended her reached-base streak to 29 games. The senior’s run dates to the final 10 games of the 2024 season.
 
DUE UP
The Lady Vols look to even the series when they meet Arkansas for Game 2 on Sunday. First pitch is set for noon ET on SEC Network.