University of Tennessee Athletics
Softball Welcomes Back 19 Years Of Alums
October 13, 2014 | Softball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Softball pioneers, fan favorites and Tennessee legends returned to Rocky Top on Sunday as the Tennessee softball program welcomed back former players from the last 19 years for its annual Alumnae Game and homecoming festivities at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium.
Twenty-seven alums took part in the modified four-inning Orange and Blue game, the five-inning game between the alums and the current Lady Vols and the home run derby. The Orange Team defeated the Blue Team, 7-5, and the current Tennessee team defeated the alums, 8-1.
The home run derby was a two-round, four-on-four competition with each slugger receiving five swings in a round. The current UT power hitters won, 19-8 with Annie Aldrete hitting six home runs. Madison Shipman hit six homers for the alums.
Two members of Tennessee's inaugural softball team played for the alumnae team. Jenny Steele Stevenson (1996-99) was the first-ever Tennessee softball signee. Kenyail Norris Carr (1996-99) was a two-time All-SEC selection (1998 and 1999) and earned NFCA All-Region honors in 1999.
Alums from each of UT's six Women's College World Series Teams (2005, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2012, 2013) were in attendance as well. That group included seven players from the 2007 national runner-up team in India Chiles, Shannon Doepking, Lillian Hammond, Tiffany Huff Mitchell, Nicole Kajitani Leatherwood, Megan Rhodes Smith and Caitlin Ryan. Sunday's festivities also featured nine players from the 2013 national runner-up squad in Melissa Brown, Raven Chavanne, Melissa Davin, Kat Dotson, Whitney Hammond, Tory Lewis, Ellen Renfroe, Ivy Renfroe and Madison Shipman.
Players and coaches enjoyed connecting with Tennessee softball alums from different eras, interacting with the previously-mentioned alums as well as Kelly Grieve, Cat Hosfield Fritts, Stephanie Humphrey Sayne, Ellisha Humphrey, Carissa Roustan, Lauren Mattox Reeder, Katherine Card and Sarah Fekete Bailey in the clubhouse and in the batting cage after the on-field festivities.
Tennessee will play its 20th season of softball this spring. The 2015 roster and 2015 schedule will be posted to UTSports.com in the coming weeks.
