Lady Vols Defeat Wildcats 8-1

Saturday, April 28

Knoxville, Tenn.

2 pm

University of Tennessee

41-10, 11-9

#20/18 Kentucky

29-16, 6-13

Kentucky

Tennessee

April 28, 2018 | Softball

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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- No. 6/7 Tennessee scored three runs in the fourth inning, two in the fifth and three more in the sixth to pull away in an 8-1 win over No. 20/18 Kentucky on Saturday at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium.

After allowing the game's opening run in the third, the Lady Vols (41-10, 11-9) were able to shut down the Wildcats defensively, led by a complete-game, eight-strikeout performance from Caylan Arnold. With the victory, Arnold improves to 20-4 on the season.

Before Saturday's game, Tennessee recognized the careers of seniors Sheridan Allen, Scarlet McSwain, CJ McClain and Meghan Gregg as part of the Lady Vols' Senior Day.

The Wildcats (29-16, 6-13 SEC) got out to a 1-0 lead in the third, as Erin Rethlake tagged from third on a sacrifice fly from Jenny Schaper.

UT would take the lead with three runs in the fourth. After Chelsea Seggern and McSwain drew walks to get runners on with no outs, Amanda Ayala stepped in and sent a three-run shot over the center field wall for her second home run of the season.

The Lady Vols gained some breathing room in the fifth with two more runs. Seggern led off the frame with a double to left center, and advanced to third via an Allen groundout. A wild pitch then allowed Seggern to score and increase the UT advantage to 4-1. Pinch runner Tianna Batts later made it five by coming around to score from second on a RBI double from McSwain.

Tennessee added three insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth to make it 8-1. After McSwain led off with a walk and stole second, she sprinted around to score on an infield hit from Aubrey Leach. Holcomb then sacrificed Leach over to second before Gregg stepped in and hit her 15th home run of the year to the right field bleachers.

Autumn Humes took the loss for Kentucky, as she allowed five runs over four innings while recording a strikeout.

UP NEXT: The Lady Vols and Wildcats conclude their series with Game 3 on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium.