Squeeze Bunt Helps UT Over Ole Miss 2-0

Sunday, February 17

Tampa, Fla.

University of Tennessee

8-0

Ole Miss

6-4

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Ole Miss	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	2
Tennessee	0	0	2	0	0	0	X	2	8	0

February 17, 2008 | Softball

Box Score

Box Score

TAMPA, Fla. ??? An rare early-season, out-of-conference match-up against Ole Miss (6-4) went No. 4 Tennessee???s (8-0) way on Sunday morning at the USF Best Western Tournament in Tampa, Fla., as the Lady Vols utilized a clutch squeeze bunt from freshman second baseman Chandra Mogan and a crucial UM error to outlast the Rebels, 2-0.
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Freshman pitcher Ashton Ward entered the match-up in the third inning in relief of senior Megan Rhodes (2 IP, 0H, 0R, 2 BB, 3K) and was solid.?? The Charlotte, N.C., native worked five frames of shutout ball while allowing two hits and striking out two to improve to 5-0 to open her collegiate career.
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Mogan was credited with an RBI on her safety squeeze in the third inning as two runs crossed, one via an error on Ole Miss??? catcher.?? Senior third baseman Tonya Callahan continued her impressive weekend at the dish with a 2-for-3 performance to up her weekend batting average to .727 (8-for-11) to go along a double, triple, homer and six RBI.
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Tennessee raced through the top of the first inning on the strength of two outstanding defensive plays.?? Ole Miss second baseman Lisa Conchos lifted a fly ball down the right field line that drifted into foul territory towards the fence.?? Sophomore right fielder Erinn Webb raced over from her defensive position and made the grab while crashing into the chain link for the first out.?? After Rhodes struck out Rebel catcher Amber Tramp, shortstop Ashley Dowdy popped a ball down the left field line into foul territory.?? UT senior shortstop Kenora Posey hit full speed in hot pursuit and made a running backhanded catch near the fence to conclude the frame.
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The first scoring threat in the match-up was recorded by the Rebels in the top of the second.?? With one retired Ole Miss designated player Michelle May drew a walk against Rhodes to place a runner on base.?? Posey made another outstanding catch in foul territory down the left field line for the second out.?? UM had two aboard after left fielder Alise Doubt drew a two-out base-on-balls.?? Thankfully for the Orange & White, they escaped unscathed as Rhodes struck out first baseman Aly Presswood looking.
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Posey christened the initial Big Orange offensive threat in the bottom of the third with a perfect slap single to second base.?? Hammond followed by beating out an infield single to third, while Posey advanced all the way to third on a low throw to first by UM???s Lauren Grill that bounced away for an error.?? With Posey standing just 60 feet away from scoring Tennessee???s initial run, and Hammond at second base following a steal, co-head coaches Ralph and Karen Weekly put on the safety squeeze.?? Mogan performed her duty at the plate perfectly with a solid bunt back to the circle.?? Ole Miss hurler Tara Willitt???s quick throw to the plate was dropped by catcher Tramp to record UM???s second error of the contest as Posey crossed the dish with Hammond close behind for a 2-0 lead.?? Callahan ripped a lazer down the right field line, but unfortunately right at Presswood, manning the first base bag, to prevent any further damage on the scoreboard.?? A called strike three ended the frame, but not before Tennessee nabbed an important two-run advantage.
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Having entered in the top of the third in relief of Rhodes, Ward allowed a single in the third and had a pair of Rebel baserunners reach in both the fourth and fifth frames but escaped unscathed after some key plays from her defensive mates.??
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Down to its last chance in regulation, Ole Miss got its lead-off batter Doubt aboard via a walk to begin the top of the seventh.?? UT???s hurler Ward managed to coerce a grounder that Posey corralled before throwing to Kajitani covering second base for an important fielder???s choice.?? Pinch hitter Elizabeth Holbert was jammed by Ward and popped up to Callahan at third for the second out of the frame.?? Ward ended the contest in style by striking out Conchos to improve Tennessee to 8-0 on the campaign.??????
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No. 4 Tennessee closes out its Sunday at the USF Best Western Tournament at approximately 2:15 p.m. ET versus homestanding USF.?? Live stats will be available through www.utladyvols.com, and periodic updates will be recorded on the Lady Vol Hotline (865-974-8700, box #6).