COLUMBIA, Tenn. – The No. 1-ranked Lady Vols earned a 9-1 six-inning run-rule victory Tuesday night in Columbia, Tennessee, as they hosted Austin Peay at the Ridley Sports Complex for the annual Midstate Classic.
The win improves Tennessee to 24-0 on the year and ties the 2006 team for the best start to a season in program history.
The Lady Vols opened the scoring quickly in the first inning as Sophia Knight singled, stole second and later scored on an RBI single to center field by Makenzie Butt to give Tennessee a 1-0 lead.
Austin Peay (16-9) held UT scoreless through the second and third and then tied the game in the fourth when Natalie Burns doubled down the right-field line to drive in a run.
Tennessee quickly responded with a four-run bottom of the fourth inning to take control. After a pair of walks put two runners on, Knight singled to load the bases. Ella Dodge then delivered the key hit of the inning, ripping a three-run double to left-center field and advancing to third on the throw. Gabby Leach followed with a sacrifice fly to push the lead to 5-1.
The Lady Vols added to their lead in the fifth, thanks to an Alannah Leach two-run home run to left-center to extend the lead to 7-1.
Tennessee capped the scoring in the sixth when Butt blasted a two-run home run to center field, for the walk-off run-rule.
Erin Nuwer started in the circle and allowed one run on two hits while striking out three over four innings. Maddi Rutan worked the final two innings in relief to close out the win. She notched two strikeouts and a walk.
MULTI-HIT QUEEN
Sophia Knight continues to rack up multi-hit outings. On Tuesday, she went 3-for-4 with two runs scored. It marks her 15th multi-hit game of the season and her fifth three-hit performance.
DUE UP
Tennessee is back in action on Wednesday as it plays Lipscomb at Draper Diamond in Nashville. Due to inclement weather expected in the area, the game time is set for 2 p.m. ET.
