BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Tennessee exploded for 17 runs as it cruised past Mercer, 17-0, on Saturday night in a run-rule five-inning win at Mary Bowers Field on day two of the Green and Gold Classic.
The Lady Vols (13-0) wasted no time getting on the board in the first with a pair of runs as they stole home twice. Sophia Knight singled and later stole home and was followed by Ella Dodge coming around to score on a steal of home.
Mercer (8-5) threatened in the second with a leadoff double from Olivia Lenze, but starter Erin Nuwer (6-0) worked out of the jam with a pair of strikeouts and a fielder’s choice to strand two runners.
Tennessee broke the game open in the bottom half of the second. Alannah Leach doubled to start the inning, and Makenzie Butt followed with an RBI single. After aggressive baserunning and an error moved runners into scoring position, Knight delivered an RBI single. Later in the inning, Morrison crushed a three-run homer to left-center, capping a six-run outburst that pushed the lead to 8-0.
The Lady Vols added four more in the third. Butt launched a solo homer down the left-field line, and Gabby Leach added an RBI single. A double-play ball brought in another run, and Tennessee took advantage of a Mercer error to plate an unearned run and stretch the margin to 12-0.
Tennessee’s bats stayed hot in the fourth. Saviya Morgan drove in two with a single to left, Gabby Leach doubled home a pair, and Taelyn Holley added an RBI double as part of a five-run inning that made it 17-0.
Butt finished the night 3-for-3 with two runs and three RBIs, while Knight, Gabby Leach, Holley and Morrison all finished with two hits. Gabby Leach and Morrison each tallied three RBIs in the win.
In the circle, Nuwer tossed four shutout innings, allowing just one hit with two walks and six strikeouts. It is her second one-hit game of the season.
Peyton Hardenburger came in out of the bullpen and closed out the fifth with three straight strikeouts to seal the run-rule victory.
DUE UP
Tennessee will close out its stay in Birmingham against Southern Illinois on Sunday, Feb. 22. First pitch is slated for 3 p.m. ET.
