No. 1 Tennessee softball has dropped its first SEC series of the season. Despite taking game one of the series on Friday, No. 8 Florida rattled off consecutive wins at home in Gainesville to claim the best-of-three set.
This now moves the Lady Vols to 28-3 (6-3 SEC) on the season. There’s a chance UT could hold onto its top ranking, but the series loss certainly opens it up to a move.
Game one saw Tennessee win 2-1 thanks to RBI swings from Ella Dodge and Alannah Leach. Sage Mardjetko started the game and gave up one run in four innings. Karlyn Pickens finished it out with three scoreless innings pitched.
Game two was a 5-2 loss for the Lady Vols. UT got runs from an Ella Morrison two-run shot in the second inning, but couldn’t produce any additional scoring. Overall, the team recorded just four hits. In the circle, Erin Nuwer started and went five innings without allowing an earned run, despite two crossing. Pickens came in for the final inning, allowing three earned runs.
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Game three was another low-scoring bout, seeing the Gators win 3-2. Tennessee got both of its runs in the sixth inning thanks to a Gabby Leach homer. Pickens pitched 4.1 innings and allowed three runs. Mardjetko threw the final 1.2 and didn’t give up a run.
The common theme behind the losses was a lack of offense. While the pitching could’ve been better, and Pickens looked a bit rusty at times as she works her way back from her arm injury, the lack of production in the box was the primary culprit.
Tennessee will have a tune-up game on Tuesday to get back in the swing of things. The Lady Vols will host Tennessee Tech in Sherri Parker Lee at 6 p.m. ET on SECN+. Then, Ole Miss comes to town for another three-game set from Friday-Sunday.
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