#5 Tennessee Run-Rules Minnesota to Close Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic

The fifth-ranked Lady Vols run-ruled Minnesota 9-1 in five innings on Saturday to close out their run at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic in Cathedral City, California.

Redshirt sophomore Taylor Pannell and senior Kinsey Fiedler led the offense in the victory. Pannell went 4-for-4 with three RBIs and a home run, her seventh of the season. A triple shy of the cycle, Pannell hit two doubles (in the first and fifth innings), a home run in the second, and singled in the third.

The No. 5-ranked Tennessee Volunteers softball team wrapped up their run at the prestigious Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic with a resounding victory over the Minnesota Golden Gophers, dominating their opponent 9-1 in a run-rule shortened game. The win not only secured the Vols’ 8th victory of the season but also showcased their offensive power, sharp pitching, and well-rounded play.

The game, which was played at the Big League Dreams Park in Cathedral City, California, highlighted Tennessee’s dominance as they took control early, proving once again why they are among the nation’s top-ranked teams.

Early Lead for the Volunteers

The Vols wasted no time establishing their offensive rhythm. In the bottom of the first inning, Tennessee exploded for four runs. Shortstop and lead-off hitter, Alyssa Barry, set the tone early with a walk, quickly moving into scoring position thanks to a stolen base. Barry would then come home on a double by junior slugger Kiki Milloy, a hit that gave Tennessee a 1-0 lead.

From there, the hits kept coming. Raven Soderquist, one of Tennessee’s most consistent batters, followed with a single to extend the lead. McKenna Gibson, who has provided critical power in the Vols’ lineup, then stepped up and launched a two-RBI double into the gap, bringing Soderquist and Milloy home to push the lead to 4-0.

Minnesota, on the other hand, found themselves quickly behind, struggling to break through against Tennessee’s pitching staff, which had already been formidable throughout the tournament.

Pitching Dominance

Tennessee’s pitching was just as sharp as its offense. Ashley Rogers, the Vols’ ace, took the circle and delivered an impressive performance. Rogers, known for her ability to overpower hitters with her fastball and keep them off-balance with her off-speed pitches, had the Gophers in check from the start.

The Golden Gophers managed only one hit in the first three innings and couldn’t muster a serious scoring threat. Rogers struck out Maya Loo, Minnesota’s cleanup hitter, in the second inning on a high rise ball that Loo could not catch up to. Despite the Gophers’ best efforts, Rogers’ control was nearly flawless, keeping them off the scoreboard until the fourth inning.

Gophers’ Brief Glimmer of Hope

In the top of the fourth, Minnesota showed signs of life. Chloe Evans reached base with a hard-hit single, and the Gophers would capitalize on a defensive miscue by Tennessee, leading to their lone run of the game. Emily Hansen, one of the Gophers’ top hitters, walked to put two runners on. With runners in scoring position, Jenna Kalla hit a sacrifice fly to bring Evans home, trimming Tennessee’s lead to 4-1.

However, that was as close as Minnesota would get. The Gophers struggled to put together another rally, as Rogers quickly regained her composure and retired the next three batters in order.

Tennessee Extends Their Lead

Tennessee answered the Gophers’ lone run with a big inning of their own. In the bottom of the fourth, the Vols exploded for another five runs.

The inning began with a walk to Zoe Johnson, followed by a clutch single from Lilly Walters, who has been a breakout star for the Volunteers this season. Walters’ single put two runners on base, setting the stage for Milloy, who came through once again. With two outs, Milloy blasted a triple into the right-center field gap, driving in both Johnson and Walters and extending the lead to 6-1.

Soderquist, still hot from her earlier at-bat, followed with a single to score Milloy, and Tennessee was on the verge of ending the game early. The final blow came when Gibson drove in two more runs with a booming double to left field, making the score 9-1.

With that, the Vols had reached the run-rule threshold, and the game was officially over after just five innings.

A Complete Team Effort

The win over Minnesota was the perfect conclusion to Tennessee’s performance at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic, where they played a series of high-profile matchups against some of the country’s top programs.

Tennessee’s offense was a collective effort, with key contributions up and down the lineup. Milloy, Gibson, and Soderquist combined for five RBIs in the game, and the team’s speed on the base paths was also evident, with Tennessee stealing three bases. The Vols were aggressive and smart, constantly putting pressure on Minnesota’s defense and pitching staff.

Tennessee’s defense was also solid, making key plays to support Rogers’ stellar pitching. Shortstop Barry was a steady presence in the field, and third baseman Brooke Vines made several outstanding stops to ensure the Gophers wouldn’t get any momentum.

“I’m proud of how we played today,” said Tennessee head coach Karen Weekly. “We came out focused and ready to finish strong. This is the kind of performance we need as we look ahead to the next stretch of our season. We have a complete team that’s clicking in all areas.”

Looking Ahead

With the victory, Tennessee improved to 8-0 on the season and looked poised to continue their strong start as they prepare for the next phase of their schedule. The Volunteers have proven to be a well-rounded team, capable of dominating both at the plate and in the circle, and they will be looking to maintain their momentum as they enter the heart of their non-conference slate.

Minnesota, while falling short in this game, had a strong showing at the Mary Nutter Classic, competing against some of the nation’s best teams. The Gophers will look to bounce back as they head into their upcoming matchups.

For Tennessee, the road ahead remains full of tough challenges, but they have shown they have the talent and depth to be a serious contender for the national title. As they build on their performance at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic, the Volunteers will be looking to maintain their status as one of the top teams in the country.

Tennessee’s next game will be part of a series of home games before they hit the road once more, with their focus on securing victories and staying in top form for the postseason. Their combination of power, pitching, and defense make them a force to be reckoned with this season.