The wait for Lady Vol softball action is over.
Tennessee will take on four different opponents in this weekend’s Kennesaw State University Tournament in Kennesaw, Georgia.
Co-head coach Karen Weekly has said all week that her team will focus mainly on handling themselves as the season gets underway
“Our focus on our first weekend out, and much throughout the season, is to focus on Tennessee,” Weekly said. “We’re going to do the things we do well, and try to go out and execute every day … It’s just a matter in figuring out the batting order that’s going to make us click.”
The Lady Vols’ first opponent will be Ohio. The Bobcats boasted a 32-26 record last year, won their first MAC title, and made a run to the NCAA Regionals in Lexington before losing to Kentucky and DePaul. The Bobcats’ pitching staff also set a school record last season with 397 strikeouts.
After Ohio, the Lady Vols will focus their attention on Dayton. The Flyers are coming off a 27-29 season- their best since 2000. Dayton’s pitchers last year combined for a 5.19 ERA and allowed 47 homers in 56 games.
The Lady Vols will then square off against the host of the tournament: the Kennesaw State Owls. However, these Owls have a familiar face on their coaching staff. Former Lady Vol Cat Hosfield Fritts is the assistant and pitching coach for Kennesaw State. Fritts is one of the top players to have ever played at UT, and Weekly says the experience of playing against one of her former players is “gratifying.”
“We have a lot of them (former alumni) out there now in coaching roles,” Weekly said. “When you face them, we share a lot of memories, and a lot of good times before and after the game. But, during the game, they’re the opponent. Across the field, I wanna beat them.”
With Fritts as a coach, the Owls will look to improve upon their 24-29 record last season. Fritts has her hands full trying to find someone to replace former Owl ace Amanda Henderson. Henderson went 18-10 last year with a 2.56 ERA and 205 strikeouts.
The final opponent of the tournament for the Lady Vols will be the Northern Kentucky Norse. The Norse struggled last year, going 5-45 overall, and it looks like their troubles may continue this year. Dee Dee Davis, the team leader in batting average, homers, and RBIs last year, will not be returning to Northern Kentucky this season.
Preseason All-SEC catcher Annie Aldrete feels these non-conference games play a huge role in the season.
“People don’t understand that’s what gets you your placement for Super Regionals, Regionals, and everything like that,”Aldrete said. “All the preseason games are what prepare you, as well, as a team … It helps you prepare and helps you mature.”
The Lady Vols will take on Ohio on Friday at 11 a.m. EST, followed by Dayton at 3 p.m. On Saturday, Tennessee will face Kennesaw State at 3 p.m. Finally, on Sunday, the Lady Vols will conclude the tournament with a matchup against Northern Kentucky beginning at 3 p.m. All four games will feature a free live audio broadcast courtesy of UT.
