|
NO. 3 TENNESSEE SHUTS DOWN AUBURN, 6-0, TO SWEEP SERIES
KNOXVILLE, Tenn.
--Madison Shipman drove in three runs, Kat Dotson went 3-for-4,
Cheyanne Tarango and Melissa Davin homered and Ellen Renfroe struck out
five over 5.2 shutout innings as No. 3 Tennessee defeated Auburn, 6-0,
on Sunday to sweep the season series and extend UT's winning streak to
15 games.
Tennessee (38-6, 12-3 SEC) scored two in
the first and four in the third to improve to 12-3 in SEC play. Auburn
(27-18, 6-12 SEC) loaded the bases in the fourth and the sixth, but the
Tigers could not bring in a run.
Dotson had a
double and two singles, scored twice and made an incredible diving grab
in right field in the second inning to rob Caitlin Schultze of a hit.
Shipman had a two-RBI double in the first and an RBI fielder's choice
in the third. Tarango blasted a two-run shot in the fourth and Davin
followed with a solo homer as their back-to-back jacks rounded out UT's
four-run fourth. Tory Lewis went 2-for-3 with a single up the middle
and an infield hit.
Ellen Renfroe (13-1) started
and tossed 5.2 scoreless frames and fanned five batters to earn her
13th win of the season. Ivy Renfroe had one strikeout in 1.1 scoreless
relief innings.
Lexi Davis (7-8) took the loss
after starting and allowing two earned runs over two innings. Hilary
Mavromat allowed four earned runs in four relief innings.
Tennessee
jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Raven Chavanne hit
a leadoff single to center field and Dotson followed with a single to
the circle. Two batters later, Shipman crushed a two-run double to
right center.
In the bottom of the third, UT
poured on four more runs in the bottom of the third to gain firmer hold
third. Dotson led off the inning with a well-place double down the
right field line and advanced to third on a passed ball. With one out,
Shipman hit an RBI fielder's choice to short with Dotson sliding in
safe at home. Tarango belted two-run homer to left field. In the next
at-bat, Davin sent the first pitch she saw to center field for a solo
jack.
Auburn had a chance to put some runs on the
board in the fourth. Tiffany Howard led off the inning with a single up
the middle. Three batters later, Schultze and Caitlin Jordan drew
back-to-back walks with two outs to load the bases. Ellen Renfroe
escaped the jam when she struck out Jade Rhodes with a swinging third
strike on a full count.
The Tigers also left the
bases juiced in the top of the sixth. Schultze drew a two-out walk and
Ivy Renfroe entered to relive Ellen Renfroe in the circle. After a
single by Jordan, Rhodes drew a walk to load the bases. Ivy Renfroe
escaped unscathed when she struck out pinch hitter Austyn West on a 2-2
count.
Tennessee dominated the three-game series, outscoring Auburn, 17-4, and outhitting the Tigers .346 to .160 this weekend.
The
Lady Vols will next host Appalachian State on Tuesday at 6 p.m. Kids 12
and under get in free and receive a complimentary reserved bleacher
back seat, based on availability. Fans who donate two travel-size
toiletry items to receive a free bleacher back ticket, based on
availability. Donations will benefit Angels of Hope. UT will resume SEC
play on the road in Oxford, Miss., against Ole Miss from April 19-21.
|
