No. 1 Tennessee made history Thursday at Draper Diamond, defeating Lipscomb 12-0 in five innings to set the program record for the best start in school history at 25-0.
The 2026 Lady Vols surpassed the 2006 squad for the most consecutive wins to begin a season. The previous mark was 24-0.
Tennessee needed two days to complete the win over Lipscomb (6-17) after inclement weather suspended play Wednesday in the bottom of the second inning. The Lady Vols led 10-0 when play was halted.
Maddi Rutan finished 2-for-2 with four RBIs.
Freshman Peyton Hardenburger started in the circle Wednesday and returned Thursday to finish the game. The right-hander tossed a one-hit complete-game shutout to earn her first career victory, striking out seven and walking one.
The Wamego, Kansas, native carried a perfect game into the fifth inning before Mallory Ogle singled to left field with two outs. Hardenburger issued a walk to the next batter before recording her seventh strikeout to secure the run-rule win.
Over the last 10 games, junior Rutan is batting .381 with four runs, two doubles and seven RBIs. For the season, she is hitting .269 with 13 runs, two home runs and 12 RBIs.
Tennessee continues its road trip Friday, opening a three-game SEC series at Mississippi State in Starkville. The series runs March 13-15 at Nusz Park.