Without a Renfroe controlling the mound, the Vols’ softball team is in a position it hasn’t been in since 2009.

Enter Erin Gabriel, ready to fill the void left by one of Tennessee’s most successful sibling duos.

Gabriel said her influence stems from her big brother, Sean Gabriel, who picked up baseball when Erin was young, and her admiration for her sibling led to softball, where Erin evolved into a three-time high school All-American and two-time Ohio Gatorade Player of the Year.

Following her prolific high school career, the Poland, Ohio, native knew she wanted to play for a team in the SEC, and visited Tennessee six times before committing, saying she felt drawn to UT and fell in love with the program.

After four years in the spotlight at home, Gabriel fell under the tutelage of Ivy and Ellen Renfroe, who taught Gabriel the value of the mental aspects of softball.

“What I’ve learned from the Renfroes is their mentality,” Gabriel said. “And their presence on the mound, and how to just stay in your bubble, and no matter what’s happening on the field you just have to keep pitching and be that strong presence for your team.”

On a team that features 12 sophomores and freshmen, having a steady hand to right the ship in times of difficulty is worth more than any amount of pitches or strike-outs.

Her younger teammates are not the only ones who will rely on Gabriel to keep control and order, as co-head coach Karen Weekly knows her resilience in the circle will be the lynchpin that keeps the team focused and rallied.

“She sets a great tone when she’s in the circle, she pitches with a lot of passion, with a lot of energy,” Weekly said. “She’s a great teammate on the mound, she really supports and lifts up the defense behind her and she celebrates all the great plays that people make behind her.”

The leadership role is not new to Gabriel, who was the captain of her nationally-ranked high school team twice. What is new, however, is being the soul of the Vols following the graduation of the program’s five-year heartbeat.

Having made the SEC’s Honor Roll her previous two years, Gabriel’s community involvement has made her more than a softball player.

“Erin is the classic lead-by-example,” Weekly said. “Erin is a tremendous student – she’s a 4.0 student – she’s the hardest worker on the team, tremendous character, I don’t think you can say enough good things about her.”

Though it may be a different face, the Vols’ softball team still has a calm, focused, hardworking leader manning the circle.