University of Tennessee Athletics
UT Softball Climbs To #4 In NFCA Poll
February 12, 2013 | Softball
Feb. 12, 2013
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Tennessee climbed to No. 4 in this week's USA Today/NFCA Division I Softball poll, as released by the NFCA on Tuesday.
Tennessee moves up two spots in the poll after starting the season at No. 6. The Lady Vols are 5-0 to start the season after sweeping last week's games in the Red Desert Classic in St. George, Utah. It is the seventh time in program history that UT has started the season 5-0. Tennessee earned wins against Southern Utah, Idaho State, Utah State, South Dakota and BYU.
The Lady Vols' 18 runs scored in their 18-3, five-inning win over Southern Utah are the most ever scored by a UT squad in a season opener. The team batted .424 through the first five games of the season and outscored opponents, 53-8. Junior Ellen Renfroe threw her second career no-hitter in a 10-0, five-inning win over Utah State on Friday.
Alabama remained at No. 1 in the poll with 21 first-place votes. Oklahoma is second with 10 first-place votes. Arizona State climbed up one spot to No. 3. Florida made a big jump from No. 14 to No. 5, giving the SEC three schools in the top five. The SEC has eight teams in the top 25.
Tennessee will be back in action this week when the Lady Vols head to Tampa, Fla., to play in the USF 4 Team Tournament from Feb. 15-17. UT will play North Carolina State and Coastal Carolina on Feb. 15. The Lady Vols will face tournament host No. 12 USF on Feb. 16 followed by a semifinal game and either a finals game or consolation game on Feb. 17.
