University of Tennessee Athletics
University of Tennessee
19-5, 2-0
Arkansas
11-11, 0-2
Bats Stay Hot in 10-2 Win Over Arkansas
March 12, 2016 | Softball
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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- An 8-run fifth inning propelled No. 16 Tennessee to a 10-2 run-rule win over Arkansas in Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium.
The Vols (19-5, 2-0 SEC) and Razorbacks (11-11, 0-2 SEC) were tied at two entering the bottom of the fifth before the 8-run outburst. UT has now scored 10 or more runs in seven of its last eight games.
Rainey Gaffin led the charge offensively with a 2-for-3 performance to go along with three RBIs. The senior is now 4-for-5 with four RBIs in the series.
The Vols struck in the first inning for the second straight game. Megan Geer and Meghan Gregg both singled before a walk by Lexi Overstreet loaded the bases. Geer tagged and scored on a sacrifice fly by Gretchen Aucoin one batter later to put Tennessee on top, 1-0.
The Razorbacks wasted no time responding, tying the game on a bloop single by Lauren Archuleta in the top of the second inning. Starting pitcher Matty Moss was able to limit the damage, however, forcing a pop up with the bases loaded to end the inning.
Ashley Diaz hit her eighth home run of the season to lead off the third inning and give Arkansas a 2-1 lead. Rachel Box singled to follow the home run, prompting a pitching change for UT as Erin Gabriel entered and recorded three quick outs to end the inning.
Tennessee tied the game in the bottom half of the third after loading the bases again. Shaliyah Geathers singled to lead off the frame before Gregg and Overstreet drew back-to-back walks with no outs. Geathers scored the tying run on an infield single by Gaffin to knot things up at two.
The Big Orange offense exploded for a big inning in the fifth to end the game. Four different players drove in runs as the Vols plated eight in the inning to take a 10-2 lead and send the run-rule into effect. Gaffin tripled home the first run and Geathers brought in another with an RBI single before Gregg blasted her fifth homer of the year off the scoreboard to make it 8-2. Overstreet scored on an error, and CJ McClain scored the final run of the game on a double steal.
Gabriel had three strikeouts in three scoreless innings of relief to improve to 11-2 on the year while Arkansas' pitcher Grace Moll was credited with the loss for the second straight game after giving up eight runs (four earned) in 4.2 innings of work. The win marked the seventh victory by run-rule for UT in the last eight games. The only contest to go the distance in that span was last Sunday's 4-0 win over St. John's.
The Vols wrap up today's doubleheader and the series at 3:30 p.m. Fans can catch the game live on the SEC Network or listen live on WNML AM 990.
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Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Gabriel, Erin (11-2)
L: Grace Moll (7-9)
Batting:
HR: Ashley Diaz 1
RBI: Ashley Diaz 1 ; Lauren Archuleta 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Ashley Diaz 1 ; Tori Cooper 1
HBP: Shelby Hiers 1
Batting:
3B: Gaffin, Rainey 1
HR: Gregg, Meghan 1
RBI: Geathers, Shaliyah 1 ; Gregg, Meghan 2 ; Aucoin, Gretchen 1 ; Gaffin, Rainey 2 ; McSwain, Scarlet 1
SF: Aucoin, Gretchen 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Geer, Megan 2 ; Geathers, Shaliyah 2 ; Gregg, Meghan 1 ; Overstreet, Lexi 1 ; Aucoin, Gretchen 1 ; McClain, CJ 1 ; Gaffin, Rainey 1 ; Leach, Aubrey 1
SB: Geer, Megan 1 ; Geathers, Shaliyah 1 ; Gregg, Meghan 1 ; Aucoin, Gretchen 1 ; McClain, CJ 1 ; Gaffin, Rainey 1 ; Leach, Aubrey 1
HBP: Geathers, Shaliyah 1 ; Aucoin, Gretchen 1 ; Vines, Brooke 1
