Tennessee softball has passed its first SEC test of the season. Even with Karlyn Pickens not playing as she nurses an arm injury and remains day-to-day, the No. 1-ranked Lady Vols swept No. 17 LSU at home over the weekend.
This wasn’t without drama, though. Tennessee was forced to come from behind in game two and fell into another early hole in game three. This time, UT erased a 4-0 deficit to take a 5-4 lead in the fifth inning. However, LSU tied it back up at five in the sixth.
This led to a walk-off scenario for the Lady Vols in the seventh. With two outs and two runners on, Gabby Leach hammered a full-count pitch over the wall in right field to claim an 8-5 win, series sweep and advance Tennessee to 23-0 (3-0 SEC) on the season.
Gabby Leach walks off LSU to secure the series sweep.
No. 1 Tennessee softball is now 23-0 (3-0 SEC) ⬇️
— Ryan Sylvia (@RyanTSylvia) March 8, 2026
More From RTI: Top-Ranked Tennessee Softball Wins in New Way to Claim First SEC Series of the Season
Leach was also critical in game two. In Tennessee’s come-from-behind win, she finished 4-for-4 with three runs and three RBI thanks to a pair of home runs.
In the game three win, Leach finished 2-for-3 with a run, three RBI and a drawn hit-by-pitch.
The other offensive hero of the afternoon was Emma Clarke. She lifted a three-run shot herself during a 1-for-4 day at the plate. She registered two runs and three RBI on the day.
Erin Nuwer got credit for the Tennessee win in the circle. She pitched 2.1 innings while allowing no runs or hits and walking just one batter. She is now 10-0 on the season. Other pitchers to toe the rubber were Peyton Hardenburg and Sage Mardjetko, who both gave up two earned runs.
Next, the Lady Vols will play at Austin Peay and Lipscomb in the mid-week before continuing the SEC slate. Tennessee meets Mississippi State in Starkville from Friday to Sunday.
More to follow: Draftkings sportsbook promo code
