Erin Nuwer entered Friday’s doubleheader allowing no runs, but that streak quickly came to a close after the leadoff batter.
Despite a slow start, big days from Nuwer and Elsa Morrison led the Lady Vols to a 9-1 run-rule victory in six innings.
Appalachian State (12-3) started things off with a Makayla McClain lead-off home run in the top of the first. The big swing came off a full count delivery from Nuwer.
The Lady Vols (15-0) started the bottom of the first with little response, as the first three were sent down in order, trailing 1-0 after the first.
Nuwer continued to settle in after the early home run. After a one-out walk in the second, she sat down the next two batters to eliminate any threat. Nuwer finished her day pitching all six innings, allowing just one run from the leadoff home run. She struck out five and walked just one.
The true freshman Morrison got the offense started after a quiet first inning with no hits to show. Morrison roped a line drive to left-center field, stretching a hard single into a double with just one out. Alannah Leach took first base as Morrison stole third after a ball four wild pitch. With two runners on and two outs, an opportunity arose for Emma Clarke. Clarke works the count to a full 3-2, but pops out on the first base line to the catcher. The Lady Vols came up empty in the second and still trailed by one.
The top of the third inning brought forward the top of the Appalachian State lineup once again, meaning a rematch between Nuwer and McClain. McClain got a hold of one in her next at bat, but it was struck right at Sophia Knight in center field for the second out of the inning.
Nuwer’s third inning was her quickest of the day to the point that she threw just five pitches in the top of the frame.
Appalachian State’s starting pitcher Camryn Fisher was looking strong through her first three innings, even with her closest call coming in the bottom of the third with runners on the corners and two outs. Taelyn Holley grounded a sharp chopper to the pitcher for the final out of the third.
After Nuwer escaped a jam of two runners on top of the fourth, thanks to the defense of Maddi Ruttan at third base, who made a close call throw to first, the Lady Vols were once again up.
Ella Dodge led things off in the bottom of the fourth with the Lady Vols’ second total hit of the day, putting the leadoff runner on first base. Despite the leadoff single, the Lady Vols had nothing to show for it as Fisher sat down the next three batters in order, once again ending the threat and posting four shutout innings against the Lady Vols.
By the time of the fifth inning stretch, not much had changed since the first swing of the bat in the game. The Lady Vols still trailed 1-0 and had just nine more outs to make a change.
After a fielding error, followed by two quick outs, it seemed as if Fisher was about ready for another clean inning. Alas, the Lady Vols’ offense finally woke from their slumber.
With the bases loaded and two outs, Fisher continued to struggle with her command as she walked in the game-tying and go-ahead run. With a 2-1 lead, Morrison connected for her second hit and second double of the day, scoring three more for a 5-1 Lady Vols lead. Yet it didn’t stop there; after a fielding error at short, it allowed Knight to score, putting the Lady Vols up five.
The six-run fifth inning put the Lady Vols firmly in the driver’s seat, and Nuwer kept the ball rolling, shutting down Appalachian State in the sixth inning after allowing a leadoff double.
Once again, the Lady Vols kept things churning in the sixth, with the bases loaded once again. Holley took her turn and drove in two with a double. Morrison finished her big day with a single, possibly her loudest hit of the afternoon, that scored the final run needed to claim the run rule.
From a possible upset in inning five, to a run-rule walk off the very next frame. The Lady Vols showcased their firepower and ability to score at will.
