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April 18, 2009

Box Score

OXFORD, Miss. - On a windy Saturday afternoon at the Ole Miss Softball Complex in Oxford, Miss., a 2-for-4, two-RBI effort from junior second baseman Nicole Kajitani backed a career-high 10 strikeout, complete-game victory from freshman pitcher Cat Hosfield as No. 12 Tennessee (35-9-1, 11-6-1 SEC) took the opener of a three-contest league set from Ole Miss (18-25, 5-18 SEC), 5-2.

Sophomore center fielder Kelly Grieve went 2-for-3 at the dish with a run scored, while freshman third baseman Jessica Spigner (1-for-4) and junior catcher Tiffany Huff (1-for-3, 60th RBI of the season) each tallied a double and a RBI in the contest.

With her triumph from the circle, Hosfield improved her season record to 26-8 overall and 8-5 in Southeastern Conference play and has now tossed 18 complete games. Her 10 K's broke her career best mark of nine strikeouts established in a victory over North Florida on Feb. 13th at the UCF Early Bird Tournament in Orlando, Fla.

Kajitani christened the top of the first inning by grounding a ball to second that was misplayed by Lisa Conchos for an error. Grieve followed with a perfect sacrifice bunt towards third as the runner advanced into scoring position. Huff managed a one-out walk off Ole Miss starting pitcher Becky Nye as UT boasted a pair aboard the base paths. After a Lady Vol strikeout, a wild pitch moved the duo to second and third. Sophomore first baseman Jen Lapicki also coerced a free pass, loading the bags for junior right fielder Erinn Webb with a big chance to get Tennessee on the board early. Facing a 0-2 count, Webb asked for time from the home plate umpire, apparently suffering from something having blown into her eye. Time wasn't granted, however, as Nye grooved a pitch down the middle of the plate for a tough, inning-ending third strike.

Opening the bottom of the first for the Rebels, shortstop Lauren Grill ripped a shot just inside the left field line and down into the corner for a lead-off double. Hosfield settled down to strikeout center fielder Courtnie Ghinaudo and utilized a solid play by Spigner on a liner off the bat of Conchos to record two quick outs. Unfortunately, third baseman Ashley Dowdy blasted a 1-1 offering deep over the wall in left, granting Ole Miss a quick 2-0 lead. Hosfield punched out left fielder Alyssa McGovern to retire the side, but not before the Rebels had tallied first on the scoreboard.

UM's Nye continued to flirt with danger in the top of the second, allowing the lead-off runner to reach for Tennessee for the second consecutive frame as senior left fielder Danielle Pieroni drew a walk. Freshman shortstop Ashley Andrews battled to a 2-2 count before slapping a ground ball down the first base line. Ole Miss' Aly Presswood made a diving grab near first, but couldn't throw in time to the bag to retire the speedy rookie. With runners on first and second and none retired, senior designated player Lillian Hammond dropped a sac bunt toward third that was thrown away at first for UM's second error of the contest as Pieroni raced around from second with the Big Orange's initial run. With Hammond occupying second and Andrews holding down third, Kajitani continued her recent offensive surge by ripping a single back through the middle for two RBIs as Tennessee quickly nabbed a 3-2 advantage. With two retired in the frame, Spigner hammered a ball the other way into the stiff breeze in right and off the wall over Rebel outfielder Amanda Hutcheson, allowing Kajitani to score easily for a 4-2 lead.

After a somewhat difficult opening frame, Hosfield worked quickly through the bottom of the second, striking out the side as Presswood, Hutcheson and catcher Rachel Torres each went down swinging.

With one out in the top of the fourth, Kajitani got a Lady Vol scoring threat started by ripping a 2-2 pitch from Nye past a diving Dowdy at third and into left for a single. Grieve followed with a perfectly placed bunt to the circle and tore down the line for a single. Huff bounced out to third as the runners each advanced into scoring position with the power-hitting Spigner coming to the dish. The Santa Clarita, Calif., native just got under a pitch, lifting it high down the left field line and into foul ground as McGovern drifted over to make the grab and conclude the frame.

Hosfield struck out Dowdy and McGovern to begin Ole Miss' half of the fourth, marking the Murfreesboro, Tenn., native's seventh and eighth strikeouts of the contest, a new career-high for the 5-9 right hander in an SEC contest. Andrews handled a routine bouncer to short from Presswood as the Rebels went down quietly in the inning.

Torres granted UM a one out base runner in the bottom of the fifth on a single just past third. Designated player Corrine Doornberg bounced to third as Spigner made the play and tossed on in time to Kajitani covering second on the fielder's choice. With Grill having a perfect 2-for-2 day going at the plate, the decision was made to walk the dangerous batter intentionally. Pinch hitter Michelle May stepped into the box in place of Ghinaudo and promptly became Hosfield's ninth strikeout victim of the contest, equaling the UT hurler's career-high for K's established against North Florida back on Feb. 13th.

With Ole Miss needing a rally with time beginning to run short, Conchos opened UM's half of the sixth with a base knock just inside the third base line. Dowdy swung at the initial offering from Hosfield and bounced to Andrews as the Tumwater, Wash., native made the play and cut down the lead runner at second base. McGovern stepped in the batter's box and served as personal history for UT's rookie hurler, becoming Hosfield's career-best 10th strikeout victim of the match-up. Andrews handled a routine bouncer from Presswood as the Rebels' lead-off hit went for naught.

Tennessee added some vital insurance to its advantage in the top of the seventh. Grieve beat out a single to third to start the inning and raced all the way around from first on a double into the left center field gap from Huff as UT improved its lead to 5-2.

Hutcheson started Ole Miss' final opportunity in regulation by slapping a ball to right but not deep enough as Webb made an easy catch for the initial out. Torres granted the Rebels some offensive hope by driving a double into the left center field gap. Doornberg grounded out to Andrews while, on the throw across the diamond, pinch runner Alise Doubt took third. Up stepped Grill as UM's final opportunity to keep the rally alive, and she performed her job admirably by drawing a walk. That brought Ghinaudo to the dish as the potential tying score with runners at the corners and two retired. Hosfield got ahead of the hitter 1-2 before she laced a shot to third that Spigner corralled before throwing across to Lapicki to secure the victory.

No. 12 Tennessee will continue Saturday's doubleheader against Ole Miss in Oxford, Miss., at approximately 3:35 p.m. CT. Live stats will be available through utladyvols.com.