University of Tennessee Athletics
University of Tennessee
UCLA
Lady Vols Succumb To #1 UCLA In Season Opener
February 04, 2000 | Softball
- Box Score
It was a difficult season opener for the Lady Volunteer softball team on Friday afternoon, as head coach Jim Beitia's club fell to top-ranked UCLA in its first game at the Louisville Slugger Tournament in Tampa, Florida. The Bruins pounded out 14 hits and won via the mercy rule, 10-0 in five innings. Tennessee managed just a couple of base-hits off UCLA sophomore All-American hurler Amanda Freed, as senior Nadia Cameron and junior Janette Koshell notched singles.
The reigning national champs, the Bruins began the day with a 9-0 romp over Maryland, as All-American Courtney Dale tossed a no-hitter against the Terrapins. It was the 60th time that UCLA had prevented an opponent from getting a hit. UT senior right-hander Jackie Beavers drew the starting assignment and kept the UCLA off the scoreboard through two innings, but the Bruins exploded for eight runs in the third stanza to assume full control of the game.
Beavers wound up going 2.1 innings before being relieved by freshman Leslie Poole, who pitched the final 1.2 frames. Not only did Freed register eight strikeouts in the circle, she also went a perfect 4-for-4 out of the leadoff spot. UCLA freshman first baseman Tairia Mims continued a strong collegiate debut with a 2-for-3 effort that included four runs batted in and a three-run blast over the left field fence. Against Maryland, she also clouted a three-run dinger.
The Lady Vols resume action this afternoon at 5 p.m. against tournament host South Florida. Tennessee is now 2-3 all-time in season openers and the 10-run margin of defeat equaled the second-worst in school history.
