GAINESVILLE, Fla. – No. 1 Tennessee rallied to defeat No. 5 Florida, 2-1, in Game 1 on Friday night at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.
Tennessee (28-1, 6-1 SEC) leaned on strong pitching performances from Sage Mardjetko and Karlyn Pickens to secure the win. The duo held Florida’s high-powered offense to four hits while combining for 12 strikeouts.
Florida (29-2, 6-1 SEC) struck first when Kenleigh Cahalan led off the second inning with a home run.
Mardjetko settled in from there, allowing just one additional hit over four innings. The Lemont, Illinois, native scattered three hits, struck out seven and walked none while allowing one run to earn her seventh win of the season.
Tennessee took the lead in the fifth. With one out, Sophia Knight doubled to center and scored on Ella Dodge’s RBI double to right. After a walk and a fielder’s choice, Alannah Leach drove in her twin sister Gabby Leach to give the Lady Vols a 2-1 advantage.
Pickens entered in the fifth and delivered in key moments. Florida loaded the bases with no outs in the sixth, but Pickens escaped the jam with three consecutive strikeouts.
The Gators threatened again in the seventh, putting runners on the corners with two outs. A wild pitch moved the winning run into scoring position, but Pickens recorded a strikeout to end the game.
Pickens earned her second save of the season, tossing three scoreless innings while allowing one hit, walking three and striking out five.
DUE UP
Tennessee and Florida are back in action on Saturday for Game 2 of the series. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m. ET on SECN+.
