Seven-run sixth propels No. 4 UT past No. 14 Gators

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – A seven-run rally in the sixth inning helped the fourth-ranked Tennessee softball team triumph over the 14th-ranked Gators, 11-10, Sunday night at Sherri Lee Parker Stadium in the highest-scoring game in series history.

In a matchup between the league’s highest-scoring teams, the Lady Vols (37-5, 15-2 SEC) prevailed in a wild contest that saw a combined 21 runs and 18 hits. With the win, Tennessee has now won three consecutive series over Florida for the first time in program history.

Entering the bottom of the sixth down five, the Big Orange rallied and exploded for seven runs.

Pinch-runner Brylee Mesusan scored on a fielder’s error to start the sixth-inning surge before a pair of two-run doubles by Rylie West and Kiki Milloy tied the game up at nine. Facing a 1-2 count, Lair Beautae ripped a go-ahead, two-run single down the right-field line, sending Milloy and Katie Taylor home and giving UT an 11-9 lead entering the seventh.

Florida (32-13, 8-9 SEC) refused to go away as shortstop Skylar Wallace started the seventh inning with a solo blast to cut the lead to one.

Pitching in relief, senior Payton Gottshall bounced back and fanned the final two batters to slam the door as UT prevailed.

Tennessee’s six-run deficit is the largest overcome by an SEC team this season.

Florida opened the game fast, scoring four runs in the first inning. The Gators notched three singles and a sacrifice fly to give them an early 4-0 lead.

UT responded immediately with three runs in the home half of the inning. After a Beautae walk and a McKenna Gibson single, cleanup hitter Zaida Puni crushed a three-run blast over the wall in left field, bringing the Lady Vols within one.

The Gators added another run in the second and two in the third to take a 7-3 lead.

In the fifth, they capitalized on a fielding error to tack on two more runs and extend the lead to seven. Milloy jump-started the UT comeback in the fifth, cranking a solo blast over the center-field wall to breathe life into the offense. The homer was her 19th of the year, tying her with Lauren Gibson and Annie Aldrete for the most in a single season in program history.

The Lady Vols carried the momentum into the sixth where they erased a five-run deficit and took a two-run lead en route to the win.

Freshman Karlyn Pickens started in the circle for the Lady Vols, pitching one inning and giving up five runs – four earned – on four hits.

Nicola Simpson replaced her teammate in the second inning, allowing one run on two hits and fanning one batter in the next 1.1 innings.

Right-hander Ryleigh White relieved Simpson and recorded an out while giving up one run on two hits before giving way to Aussie Charli Orsini in the third. She hurled a season-high 3.1 innings, allowing two runs – none earned – on one hit and striking out one. She earned the second win of her career and moved to 2-0 on the season.

Gottshall entered the game in the seventh to help close out the Gators. The transfer allowed a solo home run but struck out the final two batters to earn her first save of the season.

Florida southpaw Rylee Trlicek started the game for the Gators and surrendered eight runs on seven hits over five innings of work. Righty Lexie Delbry replaced Trileck in the sixth and walked the only batter she faced.

Elizabeth Hightower tossed the sixth inning, surrendering two runs on as many hits, struck out two and suffered the loss. She fell to 14-8 on the year.

UP NEXT

The Lady Vols and Gators conclude their three-game series on Monday. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on SEC Network.