Gabriel Shuts Down Longwood In Reg. Opener

Friday, May 15

Knoxville, Tenn.

6:00 PM

University of Tennessee

43-14

Longwood

33-24

Longwood

Tennessee

May 15, 2015 | Softball

Box Score

May 15, 2015

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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Erin Gabriel struck out 13 and tossed a one-hit, complete-game shutout as No. 8 Tennessee defeated Longwood, 2-0, in its NCAA Regional opener on Friday evening at Lee Stadium.

Tennessee (43-14) gave Gabriel the only run she needed in the third when Meghan Gregg came around to score on an RBI single from Megan Geer.

The Lady Vols tacked on one more in the fourth when Tory Lewis knocked a two-out RBI single up the middle to plate Lexi Overstreet.

Gabriel controlled the game from start to finish, allowing just four baserunners the entire game. Her 13 strikeouts were her second-most in her career. The win also marked her seventh complete game of the season. Overstreet finished 2-for-3 with one run scored. Lewis was 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI.

Longwood (33-24) had its best chance to get on the scoreboard in the fourth. The Lancers loaded the bases with one out, but Gabriel struck out Glenn Walters and Carly Adams in succession to extinguish the threat.

Longwood starter Libby Morris (9-8) took the loss after allowing two runs over four frames. Elizabeth McCarthy threw two scoreless relief frames.

With the win, the Lady Vols advance in the winners' bracket to take on Utah on Saturday at 1 p.m. The Utes defeated Virginia Tech in the regional's first game, 6-1.

All Knoxville Regional games feature a live online broadcast on ESPN3/WatchESPN with Sam Gore and Amanda Freed in the booth. WNML 990 AM and UTSports.com will also feature a live audio broadcast with Brian Rice on the call.