KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The No. 7 Lady Vols (32-6) clinched the rubber match in their conference series against No. 25 South Carolina, collecting a 4-2 win on Saturday evening at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium.
Karlyn Pickens made another dazzling relief appearance for Tennessee, going 3.2 innings in the circle. Pickens struck out five batters, and scattered two hits across the outing. Pickens secured the win in the contest and moved to 10-4 on the campaign. Sage Mardjetko got the start in the circle for the Lady Vols. The junior went 3.1 innings, allowing a pair of hits and striking out three. Mardjetko allowed two runs – one earned -on the night
Nealy Lamb was first out of the circle for the Gamecocks, giving up one run on one hit in one inning of work. She suffered the loss, dropping to 4-7.
UT broke the deadlock in the bottom of the second. Following a lead-off walk and a bunt single, the Lady Vols had runners on the corners. Maddie Rutan reached on a fielder’s choice to allow the first run to come across. Gabby Leach brought the second run home to score on another fielder’s choice, and then scored a batter later on an Ella Dodge triple.
Alannah Leach carried the momentum into the third, launching a lead-off home run to center field to extend the advantage to 4-0. This marked her eighth home run of the season. Alannah Leach added a single to lead the way offensively with a 2-3 game.
The Gamecocks (23-17, 3-9 SEC) cut the deficit in half in the fourth on a pair of one-out doubles. That was the only offense they could muster, as they were held to just four hits in the game.
Emma Friedel pitched in relief for South Carolina, surrendering three runs on three hits in one inning of work. Josey Marron also threw an inning on Saturday, issuing one walk.
Jori Heard closed things out for the Gamecocks, firing three scoreless innings.
DUE UP
The Lady Vols are back home Tuesday for an in-state matchup with ETSU. First Pitch is slated for 6 p.m. on SEC Network +.
