By Jack Glennon
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – On Wednesday evening, the Tennessee Lady Vols’ softball team welcomed the Radford Highlanders to town with a resounding 10-1 victory in just 5 innings (mercy rule). With this home-opening win, the Lady Vols are now (13-4) on the season, and 1-0 inside the friendly confines of Sherri Parker Lee Stadium.
Though the blowout was a result of a well-rounded team performance, it featured a plethora of fantastic individual performances from the Lady Vols. Starting pitcher Erin Nuwer struck out 6 batters across 4.0 innings pitched, allowing just one hit and one walk.
After the win, I asked Lady Vols Head Coach Karen Weekly about how Erin Nuwer is able to exploit the weaknesses of opposing hitters with such ease. She replied, “I think Erin Nuwer has phenomenal stuff… I’m really pushing her to just stay on the attack… and not get behind in counts…”.
It is clear that the Lady Vols’ seasoned skipper has great faith in Nuwer, and for good reason. Another strong outing from Nuwer lowered her season’s earned run average to an astounding 0.94 mark, to go along with 11.3 strikeouts per 9 innings (K/9).
But the Lady Vols did not just find success on the mound. Their offense was able to produce 10 runs across 5 innings, highlighted by a 2-2 performance from Taylor Pannell. Pannell shot one over the left-field wall for her 8th home run of the season, drove in 2 runs, and drew a walk.
Amayah Doyle and Sophia Nugent also hit home runs for Tennessee. Nugent, who went 2-3, also finished the game with 4 RBI. I asked Sophia how this team’s ability to respond to adversity differs from other teams that she has played on. She told me, “…I think our mentality is… no matter what happens, we’re [going to] keep fighting”.
It is apparent that the Lady Vols are ready to pursue a national championship, no matter what obstacles stand in their way.
The Lady Vols (14-3) now shift their focus to the Tennessee Invitational, which begins with a Friday matinee against Delaware St (3-2).