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Feb. 27, 2009

Box Score

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - With the help of a clutch two-RBI single in the fifth inning from junior catcher Tiffany Huff, No. 8 Tennessee improved to 17-1 on the season by defeating James Madison, 3-1, in Tennessee Classic action on Friday night at the Lee Softball Stadium.

Huff led the offense by posting a 1-for-2 effort at the plate with three RBIs, raising her season-best total to 36. Sophomore center fielder Kelly Grieve and freshman designated player Dee Dee Fryer each went 2-for-3 at the dish as part of UT's nine-hit offensive assault. For Grieve the performance wrapped up an incredible offensive day for the Charlotte, N.C., speedster as she hit 7-for-8 (.875) with five RBIs.

Freshman pitcher Cat Hosfield improved to a Southeastern Conference-best 12-1 by allowing just three hits and one run with eight strikeouts in a complete-game.

James Madison showed it wasn't intimidated in facing the Lady Vols by scoring a run on two hits in the top of the first against Hosfield, all with two outs. The scoring threat got started after a walk was issued to designated player Julia Dominguez. Courtney Simons delivered a double to right that advanced the runner to third. Shortstop Ashley Burnham was struck by a pitch to load the bases for second baseman Kaitlyn Wernsing. The hitter came through with an RBI single into the hole at short, giving JMU an early lead.

The Lady Vols came right back in the bottom half of the first as a throwing error allowed senior left fielder Lillian Hammond to eventually reach second base safely with one out. After swiping third, Hammond raced across the plate on a perfectly executed sacrifice bunt from Huff to deadlock the count at 1-1.

Hosfield settled down in the top of the second despite allowing a runner to reach scoring position with no outs. James Madison left fielder Chel'sea Ryan struck out, first baseman Shannon Moxey flied out to left and then the 5-9 righty forced Amber Kirk to ground out to third, leaving the runner stranded.

In the bottom of the fourth, Tennessee threatened again as a JMU fielding error opened the door for a UT base runner. After rookie right fielder Shelby Burchell reached via a fielder's choice, Fryer ripped a clean single to center field. Burchell raced around third and attempted to score from second on the play. She was thrown out at the plate, however, on a perfect relay from Brittany Dyson to shortstop Burnham to catcher Katie Spitzer to end the threat.

James Madison's Moxey delivered a one-out base knock to center in the top of the fifth and advanced to second on a groundout. Co-head coaches Ralph and Karen Weekly made the call to intentionally walk Dominguez to set up force plays at three bags. A double steal moved both runners into scoring position, forcing yet another intentional walk to be issued, this time to Simons. With the bases loaded full of Dukes and two outs, Hosfield came through in a huge spot by striking out Burnham swinging.

Andrews got the decisive Lady Vol rally started in the bottom of the fifth with an infield single to third. Grieve followed with her seventh hit of the day (in two games), and both runners advanced 60 feet on a JMU throwing error. Hammond singled back to the pitcher to load the bases for Tennessee's top RBI producer. Huff came through once again by lacing a two-run scoring single through the right side of the infield as Grieve and Hammond scored for a 3-1 UT advantage.

That was enough for Hosfield in the circle as the Murfreesboro, Tenn., native retired all six James Madison hitters over the final two innings, including three by strikeouts to secure her 12th win of the campaign.

No. 8 UT will open its Saturday action at the Tennessee Classic against North Dakota State at 1:30 p.m. Bowling Green and Marshall will kick-off the day's slate bright and early at 9 a.m. Live stats will be available through utladyvols.com via Gametracker.

Tennessee Softball Classic

Schedule Revised as of 7:30 p.m. Friday 2/27 due to weather.

Friday, 27 Feb, Sherri Lee Stadium
1:30	North Dakota State (3B)	vs.	Bowling Green (1B)	NDSU 6-4
3:45	James Madison (3B)	vs.	Jacksonville State (1B)	JSU 6-0
6:00	Tennessee (3B)	vs.	Bowling Green (1B)	UT 18-0 (5 inn.)
8:15	Tennessee (3B)	vs.	James Madison (1B)	UT 3-1
10:30	Jacksonville State (3B)	vs.	North Dakota State (1B)	Gametracker
Saturday, 28 Feb, Sherri Lee Stadium
9:00	Bowling Green (3B)	vs	Marshall (1B)	Gametracker
11:15	James Madison (3B)	vs	Bowling Green (1B)	Gametracker
1:30	Tennessee (3B)	vs	North Dakota State (1B)	Gametracker
3:45	Tennessee (3B)	vs	Jacksonville State (1B)	Gametracker
6:00	Marshall (3B)	vs	James Madison (1B)	Gametracker
Sunday, 1 Mar, Sherri Lee Stadium
10:30	North Dakota State (3B)	vs	Marshall (1B)	Gametracker
12:45	Jacksonville State (3B)	vs	James Madison (1B)	Gametracker
3:00	Tennessee (3B)	vs	Marshall (1B)	Gametracker

**(3B) designates home team
---All times Eastern