University of Tennessee Athletics
Tuesday, April 18
Knoxville
5 PM
University of Tennessee
vs
Kennesaw State
Softball Preview: #6/7 Lady Vols Ready for Midweek Matchup Against Kennesaw State
April 17, 2023 | Softball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The sixth-ranked Lady Vols are set to host Kennesaw State Tuesday night at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium in their final midweek game of the season. First pitch is slated for 5 p.m. ET.
Tennessee (34-5) is coming off a 4-0 run last week after picking up road wins against No. 14 Virginia Tech and No. 16 Kentucky. UT knocked off the Hokies last Tuesday before sweeping the Wildcats over the weekend.
BROADCAST INFO
Tuesday's game is available to stream on SECN+ with Myan Patel describing the action. Fans can also listen to the Voice of Tennessee Softball, Brian Rice, call the action on the Vol Network via a free audio stream on UTSports.com and the Tennessee Athletics Gameday App.
NOTABLE
NATIONAL RANKINGS
Tennessee enters the matchup ranked in the top 10 in all four major polls – Softball America (No. 6), USA Softball (No. 6), NFCA (No. 7) and D1 Softball (No. 3).
A LOT TO A LITTLE
The Lady Vols are outscoring opponents 296-46 this season and are averaging 7.59 runs per game. The mark is tops in the SEC and third-best in the nation.
The third inning has been UT's best as it has pushed across 68 runs in the frame – 18 more than the next closest inning. It has also surrendered just four runs in the third this season.
PITCHING PROWESS
Tennessee's pitching staff ranks among the nation's best in earned run average – checking in with a 1.18 ERA this season – leading the SEC and ranking No. 3 in the NCAA. The group has also tossed 19 shutouts in 2023, which is No. 1 in the conference and the third-most in D1 softball.
BOO-TASTIC
McKenna Gibson – nicknamed Boo – had an unreal week at the plate in Tennessee's four games. Starting with UT's win Tuesday night at Virginia Tech, the first baseman went 7-for-13 (.538) at the plate with four three-run home runs, 13 RBIs, seven runs scored, a 1.538 slugging percentage and a 2.101 OPS.
SCOUTING KENNESAW STATE
Head Coach (Record at Kennesaw State): Tripp MacKay (110-116)
2023 Record: 13-28 (5-10 ASUN)
Series Record: UT leads 4-0
Last Meeting: W, 4-0, on 3/24/2021 in Knoxville
Key Stat: The Owls ended last weekend with a 6-0 victory over Jacksonville that featured a gem in the circle from Melanie Bennett and a grand slam from Kiera Cooper. The win snapped a nine-game losing streak. This season, KSU is 1-2 against Southeastern Conference opponents – including an upset win over then No. 6 Alabama on February 26.
UP NEXT
Tennessee continues its homestand as it will play host to Florida 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.
Tennessee (34-5) is coming off a 4-0 run last week after picking up road wins against No. 14 Virginia Tech and No. 16 Kentucky. UT knocked off the Hokies last Tuesday before sweeping the Wildcats over the weekend.
BROADCAST INFO
Tuesday's game is available to stream on SECN+ with Myan Patel describing the action. Fans can also listen to the Voice of Tennessee Softball, Brian Rice, call the action on the Vol Network via a free audio stream on UTSports.com and the Tennessee Athletics Gameday App.
NOTABLE
NATIONAL RANKINGS
Tennessee enters the matchup ranked in the top 10 in all four major polls – Softball America (No. 6), USA Softball (No. 6), NFCA (No. 7) and D1 Softball (No. 3).
A LOT TO A LITTLE
The Lady Vols are outscoring opponents 296-46 this season and are averaging 7.59 runs per game. The mark is tops in the SEC and third-best in the nation.
The third inning has been UT's best as it has pushed across 68 runs in the frame – 18 more than the next closest inning. It has also surrendered just four runs in the third this season.
PITCHING PROWESS
Tennessee's pitching staff ranks among the nation's best in earned run average – checking in with a 1.18 ERA this season – leading the SEC and ranking No. 3 in the NCAA. The group has also tossed 19 shutouts in 2023, which is No. 1 in the conference and the third-most in D1 softball.
BOO-TASTIC
McKenna Gibson – nicknamed Boo – had an unreal week at the plate in Tennessee's four games. Starting with UT's win Tuesday night at Virginia Tech, the first baseman went 7-for-13 (.538) at the plate with four three-run home runs, 13 RBIs, seven runs scored, a 1.538 slugging percentage and a 2.101 OPS.
SCOUTING KENNESAW STATE
Head Coach (Record at Kennesaw State): Tripp MacKay (110-116)
2023 Record: 13-28 (5-10 ASUN)
Series Record: UT leads 4-0
Last Meeting: W, 4-0, on 3/24/2021 in Knoxville
Key Stat: The Owls ended last weekend with a 6-0 victory over Jacksonville that featured a gem in the circle from Melanie Bennett and a grand slam from Kiera Cooper. The win snapped a nine-game losing streak. This season, KSU is 1-2 against Southeastern Conference opponents – including an upset win over then No. 6 Alabama on February 26.
UP NEXT
Tennessee continues its homestand as it will play host to Florida 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
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