By Wyatt Stroupe
The crowd goes wild. Not for Tennessee.
Rather, for the other team as No. 25 South Carolina adds to their lead off a home run out of center field in the top of the sixth inning. The Gamecocks fans started their chants as the Lady Vols supporters hoped to make it on the scoresheet.
No. 7 Tennessee fell for the sixth time this season as Gamecock pitcher Jori Heard pitched a complete-game masterclass, holding the Volunteers to four hits on the night.
Out of those hits, Vol fans would get their wish for a score late in the game with a run from infielder Ella Dodge, her 30th of the season, after a line drive from right fielder Gabby Leach. However, it wasn’t enough to overcome the deficit.
The Lady Vols entered the seventh inning trailing by four. Pitchers Erin Nuwer and Peyton Hardenburger were able to keep the Gamecocks from growing their lead, but the Lady Vols’ offense couldn’t get the job done. A double play would seal the deal for South Carolina and allow them to secure the victory in game two of the series.
The Lady Vols’ offense was sluggish.. With the lack of production, a bright spot was two hits from designated hitter Meredith Barnhart, doubling her season total of two.
It was the same old story. Whenever a Lady Vol would swing, it was almost always followed by a groundout. The Lady Vols made consistent contact but never hit the ball where it needed to go.
“When you get aggressive, you tend to swing at things you shouldn’t,” said Lady Vols Head Coach Karen Weekly.
The defense was very similar; while not horrible, it was frustrating to watch. Tennessee was able to strike out five South Carolina batters. Three of which were struck out by starting pitcher Karlyn Pickens.
The ace senior seemed to have an off night, and was pulled from the mound in the top of the fourth inning after walking two batters, making the bases loaded.
“Karlyn is really honest with herself, and Karlyn is really honest with her teammates,” said Weekly. “She said I have to be better, and I can’t let one thing frustrate me and take it into the next pitch.”
A minor setback, or a sign of what this team will be for the season? History does not lie about offensive production for Tennessee. Since the beginning of the 2023 season, the Lady Vols’ magic number has been three runs. Tennessee is 160-9 when scoring three or more runs over that span.
“I think we’re not going to see the best of this team until the end,” said Weekly. “I knew it last August when I looked at the roster. We’re so young that we were going to take our lumps during the season… the key is to keep them understanding we can do this.”
Up Next: The No. 7 Lady Vols move to 31-6 and prepare for the rubber match against the Gamecocks on April 4 to wrap up the series on the holiday weekend.