KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — No. 5 Tennessee defeated No. 8 LSU in the conference series finale on Sunday afternoon inside Sherri Parker Lee Stadium. The 3-0 rubber match win was led by a 3-run rally in the 6th, after five scoreless innings from both teams.
Karlyn Pickens had another impressive day on the mound. The sophomore threw six shutout innings and secured her 16th win of the season. Pickens struck out seven, walked four and allowed four hits on the day.
With the bases loaded in the 6th inning, Giulia Koutsoyanopulos hit a 2-run double off the right-field wall off a full-count pitch. Freshman Gabby Leach batted next and hit an RBI single up the middle for the third run of the inning.
The score was 3-0 at the top of the seventh, and graduate pitcher Payton Gotshall entered the game in relief for Pickens. Gottshall closed out the game, securing her second save of the year with a perfect showing. Another combined pitching effort from Gotshall and Pickens advanced Tennessee's record to 34-8 overall and 14-4 in conference play.
Next, the Lady Vols take on Belmont on April 23 at 6:00 p.m. ET at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium. After, Tennessee will start a Friday through Sunday series against Alabama on Friday, April 26 at 7 p.m.
