University of Tennessee Athletics
University of Tennessee
17-3
Illinois State
9-14
#9 Tennessee Smashes Illinois St, 19-3 (5)
March 10, 2015 | Softball
Box Score |
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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Lexi Overstreet hit a grand slam, Annie Aldrete smashed two homers and No. 9 Tennessee steamrolled Illinois State, 19-3, in five innings in Game 1 of Tuesday's doubleheader at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium.
After a six-run first inning, Tennessee (17-3) scored a season-high nine runs in the second and added four more in the third. Illinois State (9-14) had the lead early with two runs in the first and later scored a third run in the fifth.
Tennessee's 17 hits in the win were its most since racking up 18 against Texas A&M on April 12, 2014. UT's 19 runs were its most since scoring 19 against Tennessee State on April 2, 2013.
Overstreet went 2-for-3 with the grand slam in the first inning and two runs scored. Her grand slam in the second inning was the Tennessee's second of the season. Rainey Gaffin had a four-run shot against Dayton on Feb. 6.
Aldrete had a pair of solo homers, moving her season total to five, and also scored three runs. Taylor Koenig smashed a three-run shot the second inning, giving her a whopping 10 home runs entering SEC play this weekend.
CJ McClain hit her first collegiate home run in the third inning, a three-run shot to right field. SEC Freshman of the Week Meghan Gregg went a perfect 3-for-3 with a two-run double, a walk and three runs scored.
Rainey Gaffin (3-0) earned the win after throwing two scoreless relief frames and striking out two. Gretchen Aucoin started and gave up two runs over one inning. Cheyanne Tarango recorded a game-high five strikeouts and allowed one run over two relief frames.
Regan Romshek (7-8) took the loss for Illinois State, allowing 11 runs over three innings.
Illinois State opened the game strong, drawing a pair of leadoff walks before Gaffin subbed into the circle for Aucoin. Jordan de los Reyes put the Redbirds up 2-0 with a two-run double down the left field line.
Tennessee stormed back with six runs in the home first. A two-out, two-RBI single to second base by Megan Geer tied the game. Two batters later, Overstreet sent a 1-0 pitch sailing over the wall in right field for the grand slam that would put the Lady Vols up 6-2.
UT poured on nine more in the second inning to build a commanding 15-2 advantage. With one out, Koenig crushed a three-run blast to straightaway center. Aldrete followed with a solo homer to center. Two batters later, Aucoin hit an RBI single to right field. Another two batters later, Scarlet McSwain hit an RBI single to center. Shaliyah Geathers ripped an RBI single to right field and Gregg added a two-run double to left center to give Tennessee a new season high for runs in an inning.
The Lady Vols scored four runs in the third inning. Aldrete hit a leadoff homer to center field. Four batters later, McClain sent a 0-1 pitch screaming over the fence in right field.
Illinois State scored a run in the fifth when Annie Heineman led off the inning with a home run to right field.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Gaffin, Rainey (3-0)
L: Romshek, Regan (7-8)
Batting:
2B: de los Reyes, Jordan 1
HR: Heineman, Annie 1
RBI: Heineman, Annie 1 ; de los Reyes, Jordan 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Heineman, Annie 2 ; Repp, Kara 1
Batting:
2B: Gregg, Meghan 2 ; Geathers, Shaliyah 2 ; Geer, Megan 1
HR: Koenig, Taylor 1 ; Aldrete, Annie 2 ; Overstreet, Lexi 1 ; McClain, CJ 1
RBI: Gregg, Meghan 2 ; Geathers, Shaliyah 1 ; Koenig, Taylor 3 ; Aldrete, Annie 2 ; Geer, Megan 2 ; Aucoin, Gretchen 1 ; Overstreet, Lexi 4 ; McSwain, Scarlet 1 ; McClain, CJ 3
Base Running:
RUNS: Gregg, Meghan 3 ; Gaffin, Rainey 2 ; Koenig, Taylor 1 ; Aldrete, Annie 3 ; Geer, Megan 2 ; Irwin, Lauren 1 ; Aucoin, Gretchen 2 ; Devotie, Hannah 1 ; Overstreet, Lexi 2 ; McSwain, Scarlet 1 ; McClain, CJ 1
SB: Gaffin, Rainey 1
