AUSTIN, Texas – Seventh-ranked Tennessee fell to No. 1 Texas, 3-0, in the series opener Friday night at Red and Charline McCombs Field.
 
The Lady Vols (32-9, 7-6 SEC) generated opportunities throughout the night, forcing Texas starter Teagan Kavan to throw 131 pitches with a career-high-tying five walks. However, Tennessee was unable to find the timely hits needed, managing just two base knocks and leaving several runners stranded.
 
Texas (39-3, 11-2 SEC) broke through in the third inning, plating all three of its runs on four hits. After a hit-by-pitch and a double put runners in scoring position, Mia Scott delivered a two-run single before scoring on a Reese Atwood base hit.
 
The Longhorns threatened again in the fifth, putting a runner on third with one out, but the Lady Vols escaped with a strikeout and a groundout to end the inning.
 
IN THE CIRCLE
Junior Karlyn Pickens got the start for Tennessee, tossing a scoreless first inning with two strikeouts and a walk before being relieved by freshman Erin Nuwer in the second.
 
Nuwer worked around a leadoff bunt single in a clean second but allowed three runs on five hits in the third. She finished with one strikeout over two innings and took the loss, falling to 5-3 on the season.
 
Freshman Peyton Tanner entered in the fourth and quickly retired the side. The Lake Jackson, Texas, native threw 1.1 innings, allowing one hit before giving way to Sage Mardjetko in the fifth.
 
With a runner on third and one out, Mardjetko shut the door with a strikeout and a groundout. The sophomore right-hander was sharp in relief, throwing 1.2 hitless innings with three strikeouts and no walks.
 
DUE UP
Tennessee and Texas continue their top-10 matchup Saturday at 6 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN.