By Wyatt Stroupe
Back-to-back SEC series losses, hits few and far between, and usual stellar pitching falling short – Tennessee needed this series. The Lady Vols did exactly what they needed to do Saturday afternoon to close out the Gamecocks.
No. 7 Tennessee wins the rubber match against No. 25 South Carolina, 4-2. The Lady Vols were miles better tonight than they were in game two, excelling both offensively and defensively.
The Lady Vols had lost their previous two conference series against the Florida Gators and Ole Miss Rebels. After this series, Tennessee now boasts a 9-6 SEC record and is 8-4 against ranked opponents.
The Lady Vols had an absolutely electric second inning, scoring three runs. The bottom of the second set the tone for the game and put the team in the right headspace to win. The Lady Vols are now 23-1 this season in games in which they score first.
Sophomore Saviya Morgan played an important role in tonight’s game, setting up the Lady Vols first run and scoring the second run herself later in the inning.
“I’m so proud of her,” said head coach Karen Weekly. “When she gets her opportunity, she’s making the most of them, she’s not putting too much pressure on herself… we needed her big, and she stepped up big tonight.”
Morgan was added to the starting lineup, filling in for outfielder Sophia Knight. The sophomore has been playing a reduced role for the Lady Vols this season compared to her freshman year.
“Saviya is such a calm presence… she doesn’t attach her emotions to her results, which is just super inspiring,” said Lady Vol infielder Ella Dodge. “It’s just really awesome seeing her stick with all the things, and go up and there and give it her all.”
The other offensive star of the game was outfielder Alannah Leach. In the bottom of the third inning, Leach sent a home run flying out past center field. The junior scored three home runs in this series against South Carolina, recording two in game one on Thursday night. Leach now has eight home runs, the most out of any Lady Vols this season, barely beating out Ella Dodge and Makenzie Butt, who are tied with seven each.
Tennessee is now 25-0 in games in which they had a four-run lead.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Lady Vols had two great performances from pitchers Sage Mardjetko and Karlyn Pickens. Mardjetko would strike out three Gamecocks before being relieved in the fourth inning by Karlyn Pickens, who retired five batters. Neither pitcher allowed South Carolina any bases on balls.
“Each of our pitchers have been in a relief role where they’ve performed really well this year. That’s something that puts my mind at ease when we move forward, in any situation we get into,” said Weekly.
The Lady Vols bullpen has been very impressive, having the best ERA across all NCAA Division I teams in both the 2025 and 2026 seasons. Tennessee also has the fewest hits allowed and the most shutouts this season.
Up Next: No.7 Tennessee advances to 32-6 and prepares to face the ETSU Buccaneers on April 7 at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium.