[UT Vols News]

KNOXVILLE -- No. 1 Tennessee (55-5) improved its NCAA Regional winning streak to seven games dating back to the 2005 season with a commanding 8-0 (six inn.) victory over Furman (21-35-1) in Knoxville Regional action on Friday afternoon at Tyson Park. The Lady Vols now advance on in the winner’s bracket to face North Carolina at 1:30 p.m. ET on Saturday.

Tennessee senior pitcher Monica Abbott (5 IP, 0 H, 13 K) and junior hurler Megan Rhodes (1 IP, 0 H, 0 K) combined on a perfect game by facing the minimum of 18 Lady Paladin hitters over six frames. With the triumph Abbott’s record improved to a NCAA Division I-leading 42-3.

Junior catcher Shannon Doepking helped lead the UT offensive attack with a 1-for-3 effort and a three-run homer as part of a five-run fifth inning. Freshman first baseman Tiffany Huff went a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with two tallies and an RBI. Freshman right fielder Erinn Webb (2-for-2, double, RBI) and sophomore designated player Lillian Hammond (2-for-3, run) each registered two of the Lady Vols’ 12 total hits in the match-up.

“I thought we came out flat today and I don’t know why,” Lady Vol co-head coach Ralph Weekly said. “Teams don’t last long in this tournament playing that way. I thought our pitching was outstanding. We took too long offensively to get things going and we had some early base running errors that cost us some runs. Our slap game was not as effective as usual. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t, but our hitters did a great job. Before her last trip to the plate, Karen (co-head coach Weekly) and I told Shannon Doepking that she needed to produce, and she responded well. Tiffany Huff is a freshman only in label. She has played like a champion all year, and she means everything to this team. I like her at bat with the game on the line.”

WVLT - Sports

[UT Vols News]

It was a struggle but No. 1 Tennessee (56-5) advanced on to Sunday's 2 p.m. Knoxville Regional championship game with a 2-0 victory over North Carolina (46-20) on Saturday afternoon at Tyson Park. The Big Orange have now won eight consecutive regional contests dating back to the 2005 campaign.

The victory was costly for the Lady Vols, however, as senior left fielder India Chiles suffered an injury to her right knee while attempting to avoid a tag between first and second base. The original diagnosis performed at the field of an anterior cruciate ligament tear has since been revised to a right knee sprain until further diagnostic testing can be performed by medical staff.

Tennessee senior pitcher Monica Abbott struck out 17 in a complete-game six-hitter to improve to 43-3 on the season and 19-7 all-time in NCAA Tournament action.

5/19/2007 - Lady Vols Advance To Regional Title Game - Sports - Chattanoogan.com

[Lefty Noob]

Think the Lady Vols can take home the regional championship?