No. 8 Tennessee used timely hitting and a strong pitching performance from Karlyn Pickens to secure a 3-1 victory over Missouri in Game 1 on Thursday night at Missouri Softball Stadium.
Tennessee (41-8, 15-7 SEC) broke through in the fifth inning, capitalizing on defensive miscues to take control. A leadoff single by Elsa Morrison and a Missouri error put two runners on for the Lady Vols. Bella Faw executed a sacrifice bunt to move them into scoring position for pinch hitter Makenzie Butt.
She ripped a two-run single into center field to give Tennessee a 2-0 lead.The Lady Vols added an insurance run in the sixth when Alannah Leach launched a solo home run to center field, extending the advantage to 3-0. The blast was her team-leading 12th long ball of the year.