Sophia Nugent provided the Tennessee softball team with the insurance it needed in a 3-0 victory over Dayton in the NCAA Tournament. The win marked the Lady Vols’ 20th shutout of the season and sophomore pitcher Karlyn Pickens’ 11th complete game. Pickens dominated with 12 strikeouts and only allowing two hits in seven innings.
Despite a base-running error preventing Destiny Rodriguez’s home run from being counted, her two-run single still contributed to Tennessee’s victory. The Lady Vols will face Virginia in the winner’s bracket with hopes of advancing to the championship game on Sunday.
Tennessee coach Karen Weekly praised both the pitching performance and maturity of her team, highlighting Pickens’ resilience and potential for growth. The Lady Vols have maintained a perfect record this season when scoring three or more runs.
The NCAA Tournament continues in Knoxville with Tennessee facing Virginia in a double-elimination format. The winner will advance to the championship game on Sunday, with the possibility of having to lose twice to be eliminated. The Lady Vols will aim to build on their strong start in the tournament and continue their pursuit of a title.
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