No. 7 Tennessee (26-4) defeated Eastern Kentucky (19-7), 8-0, Tuesday in the Midstate Classic at Ripley Sports Complex in Columbia, Tennessee.
The Lady Vols led, 2-0, in the second inning after senior catcher Sophia Nugent hit a two-run home run. Nugent, who went 2-for-2, also hit a grand slam in the third inning against the Colonels. Destiny Rodriguez went 1-for-1. She recorded one RBI and scored one run for Tennessee, which collected six hits in the contest. Taylor Pannell also went 1-for-3 and scored one run.
Tennessee pitchers Karlyn Pickens and Erin Nuwer combined for a one-hit shutout. Pickens (10-3) pitched four innings. She allowed one hit and three walks, while recording seven strikeouts. Pickens totaled 66 pitches., including 43 strikes, while Nuwer pitched one inning and recorded two strikeouts. Nuwer totaled 29 pitches, including 20 strikes, for Tennessee.
The Lady Vols are now 14-0 all time against the Colonels. Tennessee will return to action Saturday, opening a three-game SEC series against Arkansas at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium. First pitch for game No. 1 is slated for 5:30 p.m. EDT and the game will be televised by SEC Network. The Lady Vols enter the series against the Razorbacks with a 10-0 home record.
