Tennessee exploded for 17 runs as it cruised past Mercer, 17-0, on Saturday night in a run-rule five-inning win at Mary Bowers Field on day two of the Green and Gold Classic.
The Lady Vols (13-0) wasted no time getting on the board in the first with a pair of runs as they stole home twice. Sophia Knight singled and later stole home and was followed by Ella Dodge coming around to score on a steal of home.Mercer (8-5) threatened in the second with a leadoff double from Olivia Lenze, but starter Erin Nuwer (6-0) worked out of the jam with a pair of strikeouts and a fielder's choice to strand two runners.
Tennessee broke the game open in the bottom half of the second. Alannah Leach doubled to start the inning, and Makenzie Butt followed with an RBI single. After aggressive baserunning and an error moved runners into scoring position, Knight delivered an RBI single. Later in the inning, Morrison crushed a three-run homer to left-center, capping a six-run outburst that pushed the lead to 8-0.
The Lady Vols added four more in the third. Butt launched a solo homer down the left-field line, and Gabby Leach added an RBI single. A double-play ball brought in another run, and Tennessee took advantage of a Mercer error to plate an unearned run and stretch the margin to 12-0.