Rhodes' one-hitter not enough as UT falls

Saturday, March 29

Auburn, Ala.

University of Tennessee

31-6, 7-5

Auburn

29-9, 8-5

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

March 29, 2008 | Softball

Box Score

Box Score

AUBURN, Ala. ??? Despite an outstanding one-hit, 12-strikeout performance from senior pitcher Megan Rhodes, No. 9 Tennessee (31-6, 7-5 Southeastern Conference) dropped the nightcap of a Saturday doubleheader to Auburn (29-9, 8-5 SEC), 1-0, at Jane B. Moore Field in Auburn, Ala.?? The three-game series is now tied 1-1 heading to Sunday???s 2 p.m. ET finale.

The Lady Vols managed numerous base runners against Tiger hurler Brittany Day, but left seven stranded in the loss.?? AU registered just one hit in the match-up, but made it count as the third inning double from Brittany Scott plated the game???s lone tally.?? By suffering the hard-luck defeat, Rhodes record dropped to 14-3 on the season and 4-3 in conference action.

???We hit the ball really well in the first game against one of the better pitchers in the SEC in Anna Thompson by picking up eight runs on 14 hits,??? Lady Vol co-head coach Ralph Weekly said.?? ???Tonya Callahan and Erinn Webb both hit exceptionally well with long home runs, while Kelly Grieve posted two key hits and reached on an error that probably should have been ruled a single.?? The second game of the doubleheader was a classic pitcher???s duel.?? Both were outstanding as Megan Rhodes allowed just one hit with 12 K???s, while Brittany Day allowed two hits with 11 K???s.?? We had numerous opportunities to score, but we just couldn???t get a run across.???

With Rhodes solidly in control of the Auburn line-up from the circle through the first two innings, allowing just one base runner with four strikeouts, the Tennessee offense finally christened the first big-time threat by either team in the top of the third against Tiger starter Brittany Day.?? Freshman designated player Kelly Grieve opened the frame by beating out an infield single back to the pitcher.?? On the play, Day threw the ball to an unoccupied first base and up the line into right field as Grieve raced into scoring position.?? Senior shortstop Kenora Posey joined her counterpart on the base paths via a walk with still no one retired.?? Consecutive strikeouts threatened to unravel the scoring opportunity, but senior third baseman Tonya Callahan walked to load the bases and extend the inning.?? That brought up senior catcher Shannon Doepking and her 13 two-out RBIs in 2008.?? Unfortunately for the Orange & White, a tough strike three taken well off the outside edge of the plate rung up Doepking, stranding three and concluding the threat.

After Auburn second baseman Megan Mitchell became Rhodes??? third consecutive strikeout victim opening the bottom of the third, designated player Cassie Trosclair walked to place a Tigers on the base paths.?? Slap-hitting left fielder Brittany Scott followed the free pass with a shot over UT center fielder Erinn Webb???s head that bounced off the wall for an RBI double as AU grabbed a 1-0 advantage.?? Right fielder Taryn Gray got ahead of Rhodes 3-0 before three straight strikes recorded punch out number six of the contest.?? With a runner on second and two outs, Tennessee co-head coaches Ralph and Karen Weekly made the call to intentionally walk Auburn???s No. 3 hitter Tatiana Fernandez in order to reach center fielder Myesha Finney in the line-up.?? The move paid off as Finney popped up to Posey in foul territory leaving two stranded.

Facing a one-run deficit, sophomore right fielder Tiffany Huff christened the top of the fourth with a lead-off walk.?? Freshman first baseman Jen Lapicki dropped a perfect sacrifice bunt advancing rookie pinch runner Kelsey Stander up 60 feet.?? Sophomore center fielder Erinn Webb battled out of a 0-2 hole to 2-2 before striking out for the second retirement.?? Another punch out by Day in the circle ended the frame as the Big Orange runner was left again occupying scoring position.

Rhodes continued to pitch extremely well for Tennessee as the Nashville, Tenn., native punched out a pair in the bottom of the fourth before striking out the Auburn side in the fifth and upping her K count to 11.

With time beginning to run short in the contest, Callahan stepped into the box facing Day to open the top of the sixth.?? The Holden, Mo., native fell behind 0-2 before blasting a line drive into right field for a potentially vital lead-off single.?? Doepking laced a ball sharply off the glove of Auburn???s Bell at first, but unfortunately for Tennessee, it bounced right to second baseman Megan Mitchell.?? She picked up the orb and tagged out senior pinch runner Caitlin Ryan attempting to advance.?? Huff also hit the ball solidly but right back to Day in the circle for a fielder???s choice as the hurler tossed to second retiring the lead runner for out number two.?? Lapicki worked the count in her favor at 3-1 before eventually drawing a walk to place two aboard for Webb.?? The Hemet, Calif., product bounced a potential inning-ending ground ball toward second, but it was booted for an error by Mitchell.?? As the fielder struggled to grab the sphere, Huff rounded third and raced towards the plate.?? It appeared that Huff managed to slide under the tag of the catcher Fernandez, but home plate umpire Jana Tidwell didn???t agree.?? She called the runner out denying Tennessee the tying score as Auburn maintained its tentative 1-0 advantage.??

The Tigers were set down one-two-three by Rhodes in the bottom of the sixth to run her consecutive retired streak to 10 batters dating back to the third inning.?? That brought up the Lady Vol eight, nine and one hitters for the last chance in regulation play to either tie or grab a lead.

Grieve quickly fell behind 0-2 before looking at strike three to record out number one.?? Posey stepped in and also fell behind in the count before grounding down harmlessly to Starr Dorsey at third.?? As the last chance, junior left fielder Lillian Hammond went down on strikes to end the contest.????????????????????????????

First pitch for Sunday???s series finale between No. 9 Tennessee and Auburn is slated for 2 p.m. ET at Jane B. Moore Field in Auburn, Ala.?? Live stats will be available through utladyvols.com and, as always, periodic updates of the UT games will be recorded on the Lady Vol Hotline (865-974-8700, box #6).