Ralph Weekly was happy that the Volunteer softball team’s home opener was played under a clear blue sky rather than harsh, wintery conditions. He was even happier that the squad treated the fans with a victory and extended the program’s home-opening winning streak to 16.
Tennessee’s 3-1 victory over the Dayton Flyers wasn’t the team’s most impressive offensive showing, but thanks to ace Erin Gabriel and an explosive third inning, the Vols picked up their 11th win of the season.
The game was quickly established as a pitching duel between Gabriel and Dayton’s Manda Cash. In 5.1 innings, Gabriel allowed three hits and one earned run, collecting her seventh win of the season.
It wasn’t always easy for the senior. In the first inning, the Tennessee defense committed two errors, bringing its total up to 25 in just 16 games this season and leaving runners on first and third with two outs. Gabriel was unscathed and forced a ground out to end the inning.
The Vols faced two similar situations later in the contests. In the second inning, the Flyers again had a runner on third with two outs, but Gabriel forced yet another ground out to keep the game tied at zero.
The sixth inning was a potential disaster for Tennessee. After allowing a home run, Gabriel hit back-to-back batters. She was then pulled and replaced by Rainey Gaffin. A Dayton runner again advanced to third base on a mishandled pitch, but Gaffin shook off the mistake and struck out the next two batters.
Both teams finished with three hits, but it was the triple during the bottom of the third by freshmen Brooke Vines that left the biggest mark on this game.
“My plan for going up to bat was see the ball down and look middle-out and just make solid contact,” Vines said.
The line drive drove in two runs and continued the Vols season-long success in the third inning. Tennessee has outscored their opponents 29-8 in the third.
“Everyone has faced the pitcher,” Vines said of the team’s success in the third. “We know what adjustments we need to make.”
Vines would score the third run of the inning after Meghan Gregg reached base safely on an error.
The Vols home opener was originally scheduled for Feb. 25, but was delayed due to cold weather and a potential snow shower. As a result, Tennessee had to immediately turnaround after a grueling road trip to Tuscaloosa and play with just a few hours of sleep.
“It’s hard to put yourself in the mind of an 18-year-old whose got tests coming up,” Weekly said. “One of the things about college athletes in all of our sports and its really key … you’re playing Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and you’re off one day … and then you’re back at it.”
Gabriel wasn’t the only pitcher who put together a dominant performance. Gaffin came in and put an abrupt end Dayton’s comeback bid, recording her third save of the season.
“This team doesn’t fall apart and it’s all about pitching,” Weekly said. “The pitcher is like the quarterback … the name of the game is fast pitch. It’s not fast run or fast hit.”
