Huff Knocks in 4 as UT Beats Liberty, 8-2

Tuesday, April 8

Knoxville, Tenn.

University of Tennessee

37-7

Liberty

7-23-1

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Liberty	0	0	0	0	1	1	0	2	5	1
Tennessee	3	2	0	0	3	0	X	8	9	0

April 08, 2008 | Softball

Box Score

Box Score??

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. ??? Sophomore catcher Tiffany Huff equaled her season high with four RBIs as part of a 3-for-3 effort at the plate leading No. 11 Tennessee (37-7) to an 8-2 victory over Liberty in the opener of a Tuesday doubleheader at the Lee Softball Stadium.
??
Lady Vol senior shortstop Kenora Posey wreaked havoc on the base paths from her lead-off position by going 2-for-3 with a pair of stolen bases and three runs scored.?? The Los Angeles, Calif., native now possesses 31 steals on the campaign, the most for her in a single season during her career (previous high was 29).?? Sophomore pinch hitter Allison Fulmer contributed a two-RBI single, while freshman second baseman Chandra Mogan and senior third baseman Tonya Callahan each knocked in a score in the match-up.??
??
By allowing just two runs on five hits over seven innings with five K???s, senior hurler Megan Rhodes improved her season record to 18-4 overall.?? The Nashville, Tenn., product has now taken the winning decision in UT???s last four contests after picking up all three triumphs during last weekend???s series against then-#14 Georgia.
??
Rhodes rolled through the Liberty line-up one-two-three in the first bringing up the Tennessee offense looking to score in the opening frame for the 17th time in 2008.?? The Lady Vols didn???t disappoint as Posey walked to open the inning and promptly swiped second to establish a new single-season career high with then-30 steals.?? Mogan dropped the sacrifice bunt advancing the runner 60 feet to third.?? Callahan stepped to the dish and pulled off the successful squeeze play as her perfect bunt plated Posey for a 1-0 lead.?? Following a strikeout, Huff drove an offering from Liberty hurler Sarah Ellis over the right center field wall for her third home run of the season as Tennessee???s advantage grew to 3-0.
??
With two down in the bottom of the second, the Lady Vols added to their lead on the scoreboard.?? Posey slapped a base hit into left field and swiped second to achieve scoring position.?? Mogan blooped a single down the left field line that traveled far enough for Posey to race around from second with UT???s fourth run.?? Consecutive walks issued to Callahan, senior designated player Shannon Doepking and Huff forced in another score as Tennessee nabbed a commanding 5-0 lead.????????
??
The Liberty retired count grew to nine in a row as Rhodes thoroughly controlled the Flame line-up through the opening three innings with three K???s.
??
In the top of the fourth, a lead-off walk issued to second baseman Cassie Hendrix granted LU its first base runner of the match-up.?? Designated player Ashley Williams ripped a single to left placing two aboard with no one retired as the Flames ignited their first scoring threat.?? Rhodes rebounded to strikeout first baseman Beth Bennett before inducing consecutive infield pop-ups off the bats of catcher Kelly McMillon and third baseman J???nae Jefferson, leaving the duo stranded on the base paths.??
??
Tennessee threatened again in the bottom of the fourth as Fulmer walked and advanced to third via a double off the bat of Huff placing runners at second and third with none retired.?? Unfortunately for the Big Orange senior pinch hitter Caitlin Ryan popped up to third, sophomore center fielder Anita Manuma struck out and freshman Kelsey Stander grounded out to short as the Lady Vol advantage remained at 5-0.
??
Liberty finally got on the board in the top of the fifth as a lead-off single from left fielder Shannon McKain, a sacrifice bunt from right fielder Elena Lampman and a two-out RBI base knock from center fielder Amber DePasquale cut its deficit to 5-1.
??
Three more Lady Vol tallies went on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fifth as Tennessee sent nine batters to the plate while adding three runs on three hits to nab an 8-1 lead.?? Junior left fielder Lillian Hammond reached on an error to christen the frame and advanced to second on Posey???s infield single to deep short.?? Sophomore second baseman Nicole Kajitani was asked to drop the sacrifice bunt and performed her job admirably advancing both runners up 60 feet into scoring position.?? Callahan walked to load the bases bringing Fulmer to the plate in a big RBI spot.?? The Maryville, Tenn., native came through with a two-RBI single to left center field for a 7-1 advantage.?? Huff followed by contributing her second double of the contest while knocking in her fourth run as Callahan crossed home plate improving the lead to seven scores.??
??
In desperate need of some offense, Liberty???s Bennett did what she could in the top of the sixth driving a pitch from Rhodes over the left field wall for a solo home run with two outs to cut the gap down to 8-2.
??
LU???s Jefferson christened the Flames??? last opportunity in regulation with a single to right center.?? McKain followed by drawing a walk as Liberty got a seventh-inning scoring threat started.?? Pinch hitter Courtney Johnson flew to deep left but not far enough as Hammond squeezed the ball for an important first out.?? Lampman drew a free pass loading the bases with just one out.?? Rhodes rebounded to strikeout DePasquale on a 1-2 pitch as she got closer to wriggling out of the jam.?? Hendrix worked the count to 2-2 before grounding right back to Rhodes in the circle to conclude the contest.??????????????
??
No. 11 Tennessee will continue its Tuesday doubleheader against Liberty at the Lee Softball Stadium at approximately 5:30 p.m. ET.?? 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).