Game Recap: Softball | May 18, 2024

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – On the strength of four home runs, the third-seeded Lady Vols run-ruled Virginia, 12-0, in game three of the Knoxville Regional at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium.

Tennessee (42-10) advances to play in Sunday’s regional final against the winner of game five.

Kiki Milloy and Taylor Pannell jump-started the offense with back-to-back home runs in the bottom of the first inning. The duo combined for four of Tennessee’s 11 hits – each player finished with two RBIs.

Milloy scored three runs, while Pannell came home across the plate twice.

The Lady Vols scored five runs in the second courtesy of a McKenna Gibson RBI single and a Rylie West sacrifice fly. That set the stage for a Sophia Nugent three-run home run to give UT a 7-0 after two.

Steady all day long, Gibson went 2-for-2 at the plate with an RBI and two runs scored.

Pannell doubled off the wall in center in the third inning to score Milloy for Tennessee’s eighth run of the game before West clubbed a three-run blast – putting the game well into run-rule territory.

A Milloy single to right scored the game’s final run in the home half of the fourth.

Payton Gottshall was almost unhittable against the Cavaliers, scattering three hits with five strikeouts. The graduate pitcher earned her 20th victory of the season, her third shutout and eighth complete game.

Virginia (33-19) got hits from Bella Cabral, Abby Weaver and Sarah Coon. Mikayla Houge started in the circle for UVA, tossing 2.1 innings – allowing six runs on eight hits with three walks and a strikeout.

Courtney Layne threw 2.1 frames, surrendering six runs on three hits with four walks.

Houge suffered the loss – her fourth of the season.

STAT OF THE DAY
With four home runs on Saturday, Tennessee hit 81 home runs this season – surpassing last season’s total of 79.

Saturday’s win is UT’s 89th in the NCAA Tournament.

UP NEXT
The Lady Vols will be back in action Sunday afternoon in the regional final against the winner of game five.