University of Tennessee Athletics
Poindexter Delivers In A Pinch For Lady Vols
May 19, 2018 | Softball
Rhiannon Potkey, Special to UTSports.com
For someone with only two career at-bats, Treasuary Poindexter mentally prepares like a middle-of-the-order slugger.
The Tennessee sophomore stands in the dugout each game studying the pitcher and watching how the outfielders shift during plays.
Poindexter knows she may never step on the field, but she wants to be ready if her number is called.
Although her performance will likely be overshadowed by the myriad of home runs hit, nobody did their job better than Poindexter on Saturday afternoon as No. 10-seeded Tennessee defeated James Madison 12-3 in six innings to remain undefeated in NCAA Regional play at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium.
Pinch running for Meghan Gregg in the fifth inning, Poindexter made it from first to third on a single to right field and scored on an RBI groundout to the shortstop.
"That's a kid who knows her role. Her role is to be the absolute best base runner on the team and that's what she does every day in practice," Tennessee co-head coach Karen Weekly said. "That's an example of somebody just taking great pride in doing what they can do to help the team."
Making the transition from an everyday player at the high school and travel ball level to a pinch runner in college isn't easy. But the soft-spoken Poindexter willfully embraces her status and never complains.
"I take it very seriously and practice every day being in those situations," said Poindexter, who has scored 14 runs this season. "I just want to do whatever my team needs me to do."
Poindexter was a three-sport star at Covington High, and had her basketball number retired by the school in the fall.
She stole 201 bases in her high school career, including more than 60 bases without being thrown out during her senior year while batting .582.
"I was fast when I got here, but I have learned a lot from Karen. She has taught me so many little things that add into be a good base runner," Poindexter said. "She has really helped me make better reads on the ball and things like that."
Although the two runs Poindexter has scored in regional play haven't been game-deciders, the Tennessee coaches know she could be the difference in a tight game down the stretch.
"She is such a good pinch runner that we always try to save her to give us the best chance when we need a big run," Tennessee co-head coach Ralph Weekly said. "She is amazing at making reads when she's on base. She will make the reads faster than I can coaching at third base. She just has such a great instinct for base running."
Getting contributions from throughout the roster helped Tennessee (47-12) beat JMU only a few hours after the Lady Vols completed their weather-delayed regional opening win over Monmouth.
Scarlet McSwain, Chelsea Seggern and Abby Lockman hit home runs to set the stage for Gregg's two-run, walk-off to end the game early for the second straight day.
"Really today, one through nine, there was no weak spot in their lineup," JMU coach Loren LaPorte said. "So kudos to them for their hitters in the five through nine spots. They stepped up today and did a good job."
The victory provided the Lady Vols with some needed rest, and allowed them to avoid playing multiple games in the heat.
They will try to prolong their offensive momentum on Sunday as they try to clinch a Super Regional berth for the second straight season.
"We just talked to our team about this not meaning that anything is won," Karen Weekly said. "You've got to come out tomorrow and take care of business. I certainly like being in this position better than playing all day."
For someone with only two career at-bats, Treasuary Poindexter mentally prepares like a middle-of-the-order slugger.
The Tennessee sophomore stands in the dugout each game studying the pitcher and watching how the outfielders shift during plays.
Poindexter knows she may never step on the field, but she wants to be ready if her number is called.
Although her performance will likely be overshadowed by the myriad of home runs hit, nobody did their job better than Poindexter on Saturday afternoon as No. 10-seeded Tennessee defeated James Madison 12-3 in six innings to remain undefeated in NCAA Regional play at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium.
Pinch running for Meghan Gregg in the fifth inning, Poindexter made it from first to third on a single to right field and scored on an RBI groundout to the shortstop.
"That's a kid who knows her role. Her role is to be the absolute best base runner on the team and that's what she does every day in practice," Tennessee co-head coach Karen Weekly said. "That's an example of somebody just taking great pride in doing what they can do to help the team."
Making the transition from an everyday player at the high school and travel ball level to a pinch runner in college isn't easy. But the soft-spoken Poindexter willfully embraces her status and never complains.
"I take it very seriously and practice every day being in those situations," said Poindexter, who has scored 14 runs this season. "I just want to do whatever my team needs me to do."
Poindexter was a three-sport star at Covington High, and had her basketball number retired by the school in the fall.
She stole 201 bases in her high school career, including more than 60 bases without being thrown out during her senior year while batting .582.
"I was fast when I got here, but I have learned a lot from Karen. She has taught me so many little things that add into be a good base runner," Poindexter said. "She has really helped me make better reads on the ball and things like that."
Although the two runs Poindexter has scored in regional play haven't been game-deciders, the Tennessee coaches know she could be the difference in a tight game down the stretch.
"She is such a good pinch runner that we always try to save her to give us the best chance when we need a big run," Tennessee co-head coach Ralph Weekly said. "She is amazing at making reads when she's on base. She will make the reads faster than I can coaching at third base. She just has such a great instinct for base running."
Getting contributions from throughout the roster helped Tennessee (47-12) beat JMU only a few hours after the Lady Vols completed their weather-delayed regional opening win over Monmouth.
Scarlet McSwain, Chelsea Seggern and Abby Lockman hit home runs to set the stage for Gregg's two-run, walk-off to end the game early for the second straight day.
"Really today, one through nine, there was no weak spot in their lineup," JMU coach Loren LaPorte said. "So kudos to them for their hitters in the five through nine spots. They stepped up today and did a good job."
The victory provided the Lady Vols with some needed rest, and allowed them to avoid playing multiple games in the heat.
They will try to prolong their offensive momentum on Sunday as they try to clinch a Super Regional berth for the second straight season.
"We just talked to our team about this not meaning that anything is won," Karen Weekly said. "You've got to come out tomorrow and take care of business. I certainly like being in this position better than playing all day."
Players Mentioned
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