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April 22, 2009

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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - No. 15 Tennessee (36-11-1) broke out the "lumber" on Wednesday night at the Lee Softball Stadium, banging out 10 hits to back a complete-game, one-hitter from freshman pitcher Cat Hosfield as UT raced past Appalachian State, 8-0 (5 inn.).

Junior catcher Tiffany Huff (1-for-2) was the offensive star of the evening, blasting her eighth home run of the season and registering four RBIs. The Saugus, Calif., native now possesses 64 RBIs on the season, moving her within 13 of equaling the single-season school record of 77 RBIs currently held by former Lady Vols Kristi Durant (2005) and Bridget Jackson (1996).

Junior right fielder Erinn Webb hit the ball hard, singling twice as part of a 2-for-3 effort with two RBIs. Sophomore pinch hitter Ashton Ward (1-for-1) doubled in a run, and freshman shortstop Ashley Andrews (1-for-3) knocked in the final tally of the contest via a single to right. Andrews efforts combined with two-hit nights from sophomore center fielder Kelly Grieve and senior left fielder Lillian Hammond helped the UT speed game go 5-for-9 overall at the plate with three runs scored and a stolen base.

Hosfield struck out seven and walked only two while allowing just an infield single as part of her 20th career complete game and sixth solo shutout.

"Our team couldn't wait to get on the field for practice on Tuesday after losing a tough finale last weekend in Oxford," Lady Vol co-head coach Ralph Weekly said. "I thought the focus, character and poise our team displayed was extremely impressive in tonight's game. Appalachian State is a much improved team that entered having won six of its last seven games. Cat Hosfield was more focused tonight that I've ever seen her, and she did a really good job from the circle. Our coaching staff challenged the middle of our order to come through after leaving a lot of runners on base at Ole Miss. I'm proud of the way they responded to that challenge. We have six games left against two of the top eight teams in the country, and we'll need everyone contributing in those tough contests."

Despite walking third baseman Katie Boyd with one out, Hosfield established immediate control from the circle in the top of the first by posting strikeouts of ASU shortstop Megan Rembielak and catcher Michelle Lighton.

Hammond got a Lady Vol threat started in the bottom half of the first by lacing a one-out single back through the middle of the Mountaineers drawn-in infield. The Chattanooga, Tenn., speedster immediately swiped second to reach scoring position and advanced up 60 feet to third on a groundout off the bat of Huff. Freshman third baseman Jessica Spigner coerced a walk to place runners at the corners, but a routine groundout to short from junior second baseman Nicole Kajitani ended the inning with no scoring.

With Hosfield in control having retired Appalachian State in order in the second, Webb ripped a shot to center for a single with one down in the bottom half of the frame. Unfortunately a Lady Vol strikeout and a ground ball to third from Andrews left another runner stranded.

The Mountaineers got their only base hit with two down in the third as center fielder Sarah Rappe bounced deep into the hole at second with Kajitani diving to her right to keep the ball on the infield. Hosfield responded by forcing Rembielak to ground to third as Spigner corralled the ball and tossed across the diamond to conclude the frame.

Grieve opened UT's half of the third by blooping a shot into short right center. ASU second baseman Andrea McIntyre raced out and attempted a running, back-handed grab but dropped the ball when she hit the ground for a lead-off double. A ground ball from Hammond advanced the runner to third, setting the stage for a perfect RBI bunt from Huff as Grieve raced across for a 1-0 lead. Spigner followed with a sharp base knock to left, joining her teammate on the base paths with still only one out. Kajitani nearly beat out an infield hit but was gunned down at first as the base occupants both advanced 60 feet into scoring position. Lapicki drew a huge walk to extend the inning, loading the bases for Webb. The Hemet, Calif., native came through with a clutch hit by blasting her second single of the match-up, this one up the middle, to plate Huff and Spigner as Tennessee's advantage expanded to 3-0.

Boyd granted the Mountaineers some offensive life in the top of the fourth by drawing a lead-off walk. The runner swiped second, but was in danger of remaining right there as Lighton fouled out to third and right fielder Brittany Gaston struck out. Hosfield made designated player Morgan Price her sixth strikeout victim of the contest as the lead-off free pass proved harmless.

Consecutive one-out bunt singles from Grieve and Hammond got the Big Orange in business via the speed game in the bottom of the fourth. Huff stepped in the box and blasted a liner that traveled over the right center field wall for her eighth homer of the season as Tennessee's lead grew to 6-0.

Hosfield continued her dominance of Appalachian State into the fifth. The Murfreesboro, Tenn., product retired first baseman Lindsey Whitlock and McIntyre by groundouts and struck out left fielder Ashley Gaston.

UT first baseman Jen Lapicki drew a walk to christen the bottom of the fifth from reliever Ashley Stubbs. After Webb moved the runner up 60 feet on a bouncer to second, pinch hitter Ashton Ward blasted a long double off the wall in center, scoring freshman pinch runner Holly Baker for a 7-0 advantage. A wild pitch from Stubbs advanced Ward within 60 feet of invoking the run-rule. Andrews ended the contest with a RBI single into right field as Tennessee became the first team in 2009 to run-rule the Mountaineers.

Next up for No. 15 Tennessee is a challenging road trip to Athens, Ga., to battle the No. 8 Georgia Bulldogs over April 25-26. The Sports Animal (990 AM, 99.1 FM, 99.3 FM) will be on site to broadcast all three games in the series. Live stats will also be available through utladyvols.com.