Erin Nuwer’s first career start was a no-hitter, leading Tennessee softball to a 10-0, run-rule win over Bethune-Cookman.

No. 6 Tennessee (1-1) won its first game of the season over the Wildcats (0-1) with Nuwer’s performance. The freshman pitcher threw eight strikeouts and allowed one walk.

The Lady Vols won for the first time this season after a defeat to Nebraska in its season-opening contest. The Lady Vols continue the NFCA Leadoff Classic with a Friday night contest against Iowa.

Nuwer was ranked as the No. 7 player in the class of 2024 by Extra Inning Softball and made her first college appearance in Friday’s win.

Lady Vols run-rule Bethune-Cookman: How it happened

Tennessee’s offense didn’t wait to get going Friday. Kinsey Fiedler was hit by a pitch, and McKenna Gibson hit a single. Fiedler scored the opening run for the Lady Vols on a wild pitch from Bethune-Cookman, and Gibson scored on an error.

Amayah Doyle hit her first career home run later in the inning, hitting a two-run shot to left. After a Saviya Morgan single, the Lady Vols found themselves up 5-0 after half an inning.

Nuwer started hot in the circle, sending down the Wildcats in order. She did the same in the second and walked one batter in the third but didn’t allow a hit.

Tennessee’s offense added to its lead in the second inning with a two-run home run by Laura Mealer, going up 7-0. In the third, the Lady Vols added another run as Fiedler drove Morgan in with a single.

In the fourth inning, Katie Taylor drove in Gabby Leach with a base hit to left. Gibson added another RBI to her stat line with a groundout. Nuwer sent down the side in order once again in the bottom half of the inning.

Nuwer finished off her no-hitter in style, sending Bethune-Cookman down in order to complete the run-rule win.