University of Tennessee Athletics
Friday, April 14
Lexington, Ky.
6:30 p.m.
University of Tennessee
at
Kentucky
Softball Preview: #6/7 Tennessee Visits #16/17 Kentucky for Border Battle
April 13, 2023 | Softball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 6-ranked Tennessee travels north to Lexington, Kentucky, for a three-game series against the 16th-ranked Wildcats - running Friday through Sunday, April 14-16.
The Lady Vols (31-5, 10-2 SEC) enter the weekend off an 11-0 run-rule victory over No. 14 Virginia Tech Tuesday night in Blacksburg, Virginia.
In its last SEC series at Texas A&M, UT won games one and three to improve to 10-2 in conference play.
BROADCAST INFO
Friday's game will be broadcast on SECN+ with Dave Baker (play-by-play) and Dorian Craft (analyst). Saturday's meeting is set for SEC Network, while Sunday's outing will air nationally on ESPN2. Mark Neeley (play-by-play) and Amanda Scarbrough (analyst) will call the action for games two and three.
Fans can also listen to the Voice of Tennessee Softball, Brian Rice, call the action on the Vol Network (AM 990) or via a free audio stream on UTSports.com and the Tennessee Athletics Gameday App.
NOTABLE
PITCHING PROWESS
Tennessee's pitching staff has been among the nation's best this season. The staff ERA is tops in the SEC and No. 3 in the country at 1.15 with only 23 extra bases hits allowed and just 42 runs given up in 36 games.
UT has also recorded 19 shutouts over 36 games - ranking first in the SEC and tied for second in the NCAA. In league play, the Lady Vols have dished out four shutouts.
SCORING IN BUNCHES
The Lady Vols have scored in bunches this season – outscoring opponents 269-42. The third inning has been especially good to the Orange & White as it has pushed 68 runs across the plate in the third – scoring 24 more runs than the next closest inning.
Tennessee has scored more than five runs 23 times this season, including nine games with double-digit runs.
DOUBLE TROUBLE
UT is one of the top teams in the nation with 1.53 doubles per game – ranking 26th nationally and second in the league. Shortstop Mackenzie Donihoo leads the SEC in doubles with 14 on the year.
BOO GIBSON
Sophomore McKenna Gibson is having a breakout second season on Rocky Top, fitting in nicely at first base. This season, she is hitting .356 with a 1.185 OPS to go along with 10 home runs and 39 RBIs. The Santa Clarita, California, native has 10 multi-RBI outings including a three-RBI night on Tuesday at Virginia Tech.
SCOUTING KENTUCKY
Head Coach (Record at Kentucky): Rachel Lawson (557-326-1)
2023 Record: 25-10-1 (7-5 SEC)
Series Record: Tennessee leads 48-16
Last Meeting: W, 6-2, on 4/4/21 in Knoxville
Key Stat: Kentucky is led offensively by Erin Coffel and Kayla Kowalik who are both hitting over .400 on the year. Coffel has 14 home runs and 46 RBIs to go with a 1.630 OPS. She has been walked 42 times in 2023. Kowalik is hitting .434 with a 1.033 OPS, 53 hits and 31 runs scored.
Stephanie Schoonover leads the staff with a 1.45 ERA, 12 wins, 12 complete games and three saves. She has totaled 146 strikeouts over 96.1 innings pitched. Schoonover has been out with an injury for the last two weeks.
Alexia Lacatena has stepped up in her absence and boasts a 2.80 ERA and has nine wins this season.
UP NEXT
Tennessee returns home to play host to Florida next week, Saturday through Monday, April 22-24. On Saturday, the Lady Vols will celebrate alumni day as well as participating in the SEC's yearly All For Alex Day. Sunday will feature a book signing event with Monica Abbott at Regal Soccer Stadium.
On Monday, UT will honor Abbott in a pregame ceremony – celebrating the legend's retirement.
The Lady Vols (31-5, 10-2 SEC) enter the weekend off an 11-0 run-rule victory over No. 14 Virginia Tech Tuesday night in Blacksburg, Virginia.
In its last SEC series at Texas A&M, UT won games one and three to improve to 10-2 in conference play.
BROADCAST INFO
Friday's game will be broadcast on SECN+ with Dave Baker (play-by-play) and Dorian Craft (analyst). Saturday's meeting is set for SEC Network, while Sunday's outing will air nationally on ESPN2. Mark Neeley (play-by-play) and Amanda Scarbrough (analyst) will call the action for games two and three.
Fans can also listen to the Voice of Tennessee Softball, Brian Rice, call the action on the Vol Network (AM 990) or via a free audio stream on UTSports.com and the Tennessee Athletics Gameday App.
NOTABLE
PITCHING PROWESS
Tennessee's pitching staff has been among the nation's best this season. The staff ERA is tops in the SEC and No. 3 in the country at 1.15 with only 23 extra bases hits allowed and just 42 runs given up in 36 games.
UT has also recorded 19 shutouts over 36 games - ranking first in the SEC and tied for second in the NCAA. In league play, the Lady Vols have dished out four shutouts.
SCORING IN BUNCHES
The Lady Vols have scored in bunches this season – outscoring opponents 269-42. The third inning has been especially good to the Orange & White as it has pushed 68 runs across the plate in the third – scoring 24 more runs than the next closest inning.
Tennessee has scored more than five runs 23 times this season, including nine games with double-digit runs.
DOUBLE TROUBLE
UT is one of the top teams in the nation with 1.53 doubles per game – ranking 26th nationally and second in the league. Shortstop Mackenzie Donihoo leads the SEC in doubles with 14 on the year.
BOO GIBSON
Sophomore McKenna Gibson is having a breakout second season on Rocky Top, fitting in nicely at first base. This season, she is hitting .356 with a 1.185 OPS to go along with 10 home runs and 39 RBIs. The Santa Clarita, California, native has 10 multi-RBI outings including a three-RBI night on Tuesday at Virginia Tech.
SCOUTING KENTUCKY
Head Coach (Record at Kentucky): Rachel Lawson (557-326-1)
2023 Record: 25-10-1 (7-5 SEC)
Series Record: Tennessee leads 48-16
Last Meeting: W, 6-2, on 4/4/21 in Knoxville
Key Stat: Kentucky is led offensively by Erin Coffel and Kayla Kowalik who are both hitting over .400 on the year. Coffel has 14 home runs and 46 RBIs to go with a 1.630 OPS. She has been walked 42 times in 2023. Kowalik is hitting .434 with a 1.033 OPS, 53 hits and 31 runs scored.
Stephanie Schoonover leads the staff with a 1.45 ERA, 12 wins, 12 complete games and three saves. She has totaled 146 strikeouts over 96.1 innings pitched. Schoonover has been out with an injury for the last two weeks.
Alexia Lacatena has stepped up in her absence and boasts a 2.80 ERA and has nine wins this season.
UP NEXT
Tennessee returns home to play host to Florida next week, Saturday through Monday, April 22-24. On Saturday, the Lady Vols will celebrate alumni day as well as participating in the SEC's yearly All For Alex Day. Sunday will feature a book signing event with Monica Abbott at Regal Soccer Stadium.
On Monday, UT will honor Abbott in a pregame ceremony – celebrating the legend's retirement.
Players Mentioned
INF/OF
/ Softball
INF
/ SoftballSB | Tennessee Postgame vs. Nebraska (5.25.25)
Sunday, May 25
SB | Tennessee Postgame vs. Nebraska (5.24.25)
Saturday, May 24
SB | Tennessee Postgame vs. Nebraska (5.23.25)
Friday, May 23
SB | Tennessee Postgame vs. Ohio State (5.18.25)
Sunday, May 18
