No. 7 Tennessee entered its Women’s College World Series elimination game against No. 3 Florida reeling from a walk-off loss to No. 2 Oklahoma.
Judging by how the Lady Vols dominated their SEC rivals Friday evening at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, they have since put that loss behind them. Karen Weekly’s squad not only beat the Gators to survive and advance in the WCWS, but also run ruled Tim Walton’s team 11-3 in five innings.
The Lady Vols had a program record-12 hits in the win, spurred by a seven-run first inning that immediately put a run rule victory into play. They jumped out to a 10-0 lead with three more combined runs in the second and third innings, putting all the pressure on Florida to respond and extend its season.
Credit to the Gators, who scored three runs in the fourth inning, but the offensive onslaught from Tennessee proved to be too much, as the Lady Vols scored the run it needed in the bottom of the frame before blanking the Gators in the top of the fifth. Every player in Tennessee’s lineup ended up with a hit. Erin Nuwer was credited for the win after allowing just one hit in two innings of work.
USA TODAY had full coverage of Friday’s game between Tennessee and Florida. Scroll below for highlights and a full recap of the action.
Tennessee vs Florida softball live score
Tennessee vs Florida softball highlights
Lady Vols run rule Florida, 11-3
Gators leave a runner on, but Jocelyn Erickson grounds out to third for the easy last out. Tennessee wins 11-3 after five innings, run-ruling their SEC rivals to stay alive in the WCWS. The Lady Vols advance to play again on Sunday when they face the loser of Saturday’s game between No. 9 UCLA vs. No. 12 Texas Tech.
Gators down to their last out
Kendra Falby lines out to third, leaving the Gators with one last out to work with in the top of the fifth.
Florida down one batter
The Gators are down to two more outs after Rylee Holtorf strikes out lucking.
Alannah Leach puts Vols back up 8 runs
The threat of a run-rule win is back on the table at the WCWS. Alannah Leach manages to land a single to left field, just fair, allowing Laura Mealer to score from second base. The Gators have to score a run here or the game will be called.
Florida belts back-to-back home runs
The Gators aren’t going down without a fight, as Reagan Walsh and Korbe Otis hit back-to-back home runs in the top of the fourth inning.
Walsh’s hit scored two runs, shortening Florida’s deficit to 10-3. The two home runs take Florida out of run-rule territory.
Tennessee scratches across another run
Rylee Holtorf fields a groundball and fires to first base, but the throw is low, and Reagan Walsh can’t field it cleanly, allowing Emma Clarke to score from third base.
Tennessee leads 10-0 heading into the top of the fourth, after the Gators get out of the inning with an Ella Dodge flyout.
Florida goes down in order
Sage Mardjetko puts up another zero, as she retires Florida in order. She struck out Taylor Shumaker to end the inning.
Tennessee leads 9-0 heading into the bottom of the third inning, and has Florida in run-rule territory.
Tennessee hits back-to-back home runs
Sophia Nugent and McKenna Gibson hit back-to-back solo home runs with two outs, after Taylor Pannell and Ella Dodge are sat down to start the second inning.
The Vols lead 9-0, and Florida is turning to Katelynn Oxley in the bullpen.
Tennessee turns to Sage Mardjetko
With a big lead, Tennessee turns to Sage Mardjetko, in a move to likely preserve Karlyn Pickens’ arm, as Pickens threw every pitch for the Lady Vols on Thursday.
Pickens can re-enter if she’s needed.
Florida ends inning with double play
The Gators finally get out of the first inning, as Ava Brown induces a groundball which is turned into a 3-6-3 double play.
Florida has some ground to make up, although there’s still plenty of time remaining.
Tennessee goes up 7-0
Emma Clarke flies out to left field, with the flyball deep enough to score Alannah Leach from third base to give Tennessee a 7-0 lead. Florida finally gets an out.
Tennessee extends lead to 6-0
Alannah Leach doubles to right-center field, which clears the bases for Tennessee and gives the Vols a 6-0 lead with no outs in the top of the first inning.
Tennessee came out swinging after its walk-off loss on Thursday.
Tennessee takes 3-0 lead
Ava Brown walks McKenna Gibson, which gives Tennessee a 2-0 lead. Laura Mealer then singles to left field, extending the lead to 3-0.
Florida turning to Ava Brown
Kara Hammock fails to record an out before Florida turns to Ava Brown, who’s set to face McKenna Gibson with the bases loaded after a Sophia Nugent single.
Florida needs its pitcher to settle in here.
Tennessee takes 1-0 lead
Taylor Pannell ropes a single to left field, scoring Leach from third base to give the Lady Vols a 1-0 lead. Tennessee is coming out hot on Friday.
Gabby Leach with leadoff triple
What a start for Tennessee, as leadoff hitter Gabby Leach squeaks a hard ground ball right down the right-field line. The hit snuck into the deep corner of the outfield, allowing Leach to reach third base.
The hit was reviewed, but umpires upheld the fair ball call.
Karlyn Pickens gets out of jam
Pickens strikes out Reagan Walsh and Korbe Otis in back-to-back at-bats to strand two runners. Pickens got both Florida hitters on riseballs.
Tennessee bats coming up.
Jocelyn Erickson walks
Taylor Shumaker flies out to left field, but Jocelyn Erickson draws another walk to put Florida runners on first and second base with one out.
Florida looking to score an early run here.
Kendra Falby draws leadoff walk
Not a great start for Karlyn Pickens, who walks Florida leadoff hitter Kendra Falby on four pitches. Gators with an early baserunner in the top of the first inning.
Tennessee, Florida starting pitchers
Tennessee is going back to SEC Pitcher of the Year Karlyn Pickens in the elimination game, while Florida is starting Kara Hammock.
Pickens threw a complete game against Oklahoma and allowed four runs on four hits and four walks with eight strikeouts. Hammock, a first-year transfer from UNC-Wilmington, has a 3.61 ERA in 64 innings pitched this season.
Florida softball lineup
CF Kendra Falby
Taylor Shumaker
C Jocelyn Erickson
1B Reagan Walsh
LF Korbe Otis
2B Mia Williams
DP Ava Brown
3B Kenleigh Cahalan
SS Rylee Holtorf
Tennessee softball lineup
RF Gabby Leach
3B Taylor Pannell
2B Ella Dodge
C Sophia Nugent
1B McKenna Gibson
SS Laura Mealer
LF Alannah Leach
DP Emma Clarke
CF Kinsey Fiedler
What time does Tennessee vs Florida softball start?
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Date: Friday, May 30
Location: Devon Park (Oklahoma City)
First pitch for Tennessee and Florida’s elimination game is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET from Devon Park in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
What TV channel is Texas vs Florida softball on today?
TV channel: ESPN
Streaming: ESPN app | ESPN+
Tennessee-Florida softball at the WCWS will air live on ESPN, with streaming options on the ESPN app (with a cable login) or ESPN+, the latter of which serves as ESPN’s subscription service.
Women’s College World Series schedule
Women’s College World Series: May 29-June 6
WCWS finals: June 4-June 5/6
The Women’s College World Series will be played at Devon Park in Oklahoma City from May 29 through June 6. The WCWS championship series will be played from June 4 through either June 5 or June 6, depending on whether the series goes to three games.