Georgia vs Tennessee (Site 7 / Game 1) Softball May 21, 2026 | NCAA Softball 2026

Indexado: 2026-05-22

[00:00:01]Sophia Knight steps in.

[00:00:10]>> And to me, it's really about a be her being able to attack those corners. What can I get for strikes? Am I able to kind of use the river to my advantage?

[00:00:21]And I really loved her performance last weekend against Clemson in the regional final. I felt like those are kind of those moments, you know, that two hitter that she threw. That gives you confidence going into a super regional is impressive.

[00:00:36]>> She pitched 11 innings over that regional last weekend. Only gave up two hits, walked four, struck out eight.

[00:00:42]Yeah.

[00:00:44]>> And someone who's been making a big transition going from UCLA as an Oregon native to Athens, Georgia. Sophia Knight swing away out of here.

[00:00:56]First home run OF THE SEASON AND SHE DOES IT AT SUPERS.

[00:01:06]Slapper who? Come on.

[00:01:13]Wow. This is awesome. This is just a pitch that's elevated a little bit up in the zone, but what I love is her first home run of the season. That is huge.

[00:01:21]That is a statement. This is their house right out of the gate. You love to see it.

[00:01:29]>> Hands up.

[00:01:33]>> I mean, what a tone to set for Tennessee.

[00:01:38]Ella Dodge now steps in. But that has been the question with Tennessee. We know they have the best pitching staff in the nation. It's can they get the runs? And what a statement there on her first one.

[00:01:49]>> Yeah, let's go. I mean, we saw a first last weekend, too. Lilio.

[00:01:54]>> Yeah. From South Carolina.

[00:01:55]>> Yeah, I love me a postseason run with the dingers.

[00:02:00]Now, you saw Tennessee 17-1 when scoring first in the first inning, excuse me.

[00:02:11]when you can see just behind the plate, Miller communicating where the pitch is.

[00:02:15]You saw Addison Fischer kind of confused what she's going to be able to get for a strike here, especially with a down ball pitcher in a tighter strike zone.

[00:02:25]The quicker you can figure out what you're working with, the better.

[00:02:31]Tennessee really went to work after that SEC tournament exit.

[00:02:38]lost their first game there against Old Miss and then just went back to practice. And Karen Weekley said, "Yeah, they practiced a lot. They didn't have one bad day of practice between losing in the SEC tournament and starting their regional play last weekend."

[00:02:57]Ela Dodge right back at Fiser off of her glove. Roose is there making the play.

[00:03:05]It's >> a nice play by Roose with the little assist by Addison Fischer. Slowed it down a little.

[00:03:19]>> But I agree with you. Thinking of them in that SEC tournament, I felt like they just played way too tight against Miss.

[00:03:24]They didn't really look like themselves.

[00:03:25]So getting to come home, yeah, it's it stinks. You don't want to lose, but you get a lot of extra work done before.

[00:03:33]Emma Clark, get out of here.

[00:03:45]Hello, Lady Ball offense.

[00:03:55]>> So good. First pitch, Daddy Hack. And you just see the ball drifts a little bit too much over the plate and she just hits it right back where it's pitched.

[00:04:04]Dead center out of here.

[00:04:08]And this Lady Fall team is fired up.

[00:04:17]I mean, Tennessee staff challenge the offense. Be committed to the plan. Even if you don't get a hit, did you stick to your plan? And then they were celebrating last weekend when they were committed to that plan, celebrating the little things. And boy, have they come out in game one of supers, two solo home runs. Well, I mean, you have to celebrate the little things, right? Like the postseason is hard, right? You're going to go through your lumps. You're going to face some tough pitching and being able to like get on board, celebrate your teammates. The little things at times make the biggest difference. So, I'm all here for it. And now Alana Leech, >> who's in the DP spot today. We've also seen her in left field. Was dealing with a little shoulder stuff going in. So in the DP today, going to keep her out of the field.

[00:05:06]Steps in after Emma Clark just hit her third home run of the postseason.

[00:05:13]Team leading 13 on the year.

[00:05:18]I feel like those little moments >> make the biggest difference, right? Like somebody kind of getting on a tear. Not that Emma Clark hasn't been good offensively this year, but to be start to become dangerous and have kind of instilled this fear in a pitcher is good because I haven't really felt that from Tennessee this year, right? I haven't felt like if I was pitching that I feel that sense of like, all right, there's it they're going to take me deep, but I love Emma Clark coming along.

[00:05:47]That's what you need. I I couldn't be more of a fan of the Leech sisters and just what they've been able to do this year.

[00:05:54]>> Yeah. Alana Leech, one of two Leeches in the lineup. Her twin Gabby is in the seven spot. Her sister Aubrey Leech is the player development coach >> and Asen Fischer will get her first K of Alana Leech. Se Tennessee season has been so interesting. Best start in school history. They were number one in the nation to start the year. 26-0 >> and they've been in some close games.

[00:06:24]Five of 10 losses decided by one runs.

[00:06:27]But Karen Winkley felt like going into the postseason they were starting to get back to who they were, maybe pressing a little bit. And plus, you hit SEC play that's tough.

[00:06:35]>> Well, that's what I was going to say, right? You you have this 26 and0 start and it's so carefree in February and March, right? Like you're playing new competition. It's early. there's no pressure and then you get into conference and it's like damn every weekend is a dog fight and if the results aren't going the way you want the pressure starts to mount and mount and at times I feel like this Tennessee team just expected it to fix itelves and that at times is not how it works. You have to be able to get to the root of the problem and how you can get through it. But the pitching has always stayed steady and that's why Tennessee is in this position to be hosting a super regional. Um, and they are where they are because they have not wavered in the circle. They have three solid arms that they've been able to rely on. Mackenzie Butt here at the plate against Fiser.

[00:07:21]It is the fourth year in a row that Tennessee is hosting a super that's never been done before.

[00:07:30]Wow. And Addison Fischer already in the first inning is giving up more earned runs than she did in regionals.

[00:07:38]And I think it's going to come down to her obviously being able to get ahead of hitters because when she does her drop balls so nasty, but I also think this blue behind the plate does have a little bit of a smaller zone. So it's like, okay, what can I I get, but I can't miss over the plate. The two homers that have have gone out have been pitches that have bled over.

[00:07:58]and she will walk McKenzie but so a sophomore on for Tennessee and a freshman coming up to bat Elsa Morrison who has been that everyday catcher for Tennessee in her freshman season had a right here in Knoxville the high school's finest on a fivegame hit streak hitting 462 and so good in the month of May right like I go back and and look at for April where she hit 235 and had her moments, but 375 in the month of May with two big home runs. It's just seems to be heating up at the right time. She's been so solid behind the dish as well.

[00:08:44]>> Nothing like a four for seven in your first regional of your career.

[00:08:56]>> That's a good spot.

[00:08:59]It's hard with a drop ball pitcher sometimes. You can't get that bottom part of the zone.

[00:09:13]>> I think what I've loved from Tennessee, at least from this start, is like they're hacking. Like they're taking the pitches that are off the plate, but when the ball is in and around the zone, I mean, you're seeing some some solid hacks. A confident swing.

[00:09:29]>> Hacking. You mean the lead slapper lead off in Sophia Knight going yard for the first time?

[00:09:36]>> Yeah, I don't mind a Sophia Knight Daddy Hack. I mean, her first homer of the year. No better time, >> man. Backto back walks. But she's That's a great pitch.

[00:09:58]Come on. That's got to be called. If that's not being called, it's >> not fair to the pitchers.

[00:10:08]>> Gabby Leech up with two on via the free pass.

[00:10:32]And you know that if you're a hitter stepping into the box, right? Like you know that Addison Fischer is not getting some calls. She's throwing a little bit more balls. You can have a little bit more of a patient approach.

[00:11:12]Three balls in a strike from Addison Fischer to Gabby Leech.

[00:11:16]But I can appreciate the the body language and the demeanor. It can be easy to get frustrated, especially in this setting, right? A lot of adrenaline in inning one of a super regional, a lot on the line. And she's just been able to kind of stay steady out there. And I can't say that that I would have always acted the same.

[00:11:37]>> Third straight full count, the fourth full count that Addison Fischer has had in this inning. And she's thrown a lot of pitches. I mean, 35 pitches in this inning so far.

[00:11:49]>> Two solo shots are the difference.

[00:11:50]Sophia Knight and Emma Clark going yard start this game for Tennessee.

[00:11:58]>> It's a good pitch. That is a good pitch.

[00:12:02]Strikeout number two for Addison Fiser.

[00:12:04]But Tennessee hasn't hit two home runs in the first inning in over a month, first time since April 13th. And they lead this super regional. Well, and I love me a couple bombs. Sophia Knight with >> Tennessee.

[00:12:22]Been here a lot. 15th Supers appearance, four straight, seeking their 10th Women's College World Series appearance.

[00:12:30]Georgia's been there, too. First pitch, Gabby Novvicus hits to Ella Dodge at third.

[00:12:37]Georgia's been to the Women's College World Series five times. Last was in 2021.

[00:12:42]>> Number 55.

[00:12:49]>> Georgia came out got two hits in the first inning but left them there. Now Bailey Lindamouth up the transfer from Texas Tech who was a part of that run all the way to the Women's College World Series champ series where Texas Tech lost to Texas.

[00:13:11]And it's been key transfers like Bailey Lindamouth who have made all the difference for this Georgia team.

[00:13:18]>> I think for them to be able to get that vet presence too. You look at last year I felt like it was a young Georgia team.

[00:13:23]So to be able to get some of those big dogs in the portal I think has really been able to kind of help them. Another one I think of is Kirstston Roose from Coastal Carolina and how big she has been able to be for them and of course Fiser to add another elite arm. And then Ray, I've really loved her in that nine spot can turn the lineup over really quick.

[00:13:50]Tony Baldwin, their head coach, telling us today that evaluating last season, yes, they were young and inexperienced.

[00:13:56]They just had 35 total wins through their supers run this year at 41.

[00:14:03]They needed some key pieces and they went out and got what they needed.

[00:14:06]Lindmouth rolls this off the bat to McKenzie, but she'll make the tag.

[00:14:15]And so far so good for Carlin Pickkins.

[00:14:19]>> Two quick outs, kind of sawing off some barrels, still throwing hard. But I mean that one 76 miles an hour to the shorts stop Emily Digby.

[00:14:36]Digby batting over 500 in her last seven games. Three home runs and nine RBI in that span.

[00:14:52]>> Yeah. Emily Digby, another one from April to May. Just hit 263 in the month of May and or April, excuse me. And then 421 like you mentioned, her ribeye, three home runs.

[00:15:07]Just talk about heating up at the right time. But it really to me is just kind of that SEC tournament run that they had. They were so dangerous there and just that fearless mentality in the box.

[00:15:18]You could tell that this was a team that was going to battle until that last out.

[00:15:26]>> And Tony Baldwin told us it really started in the Florida series, the last regular season series of the season.

[00:15:31]They were down in game two. Florida made a couple of errors and that's when he saw the momentum shift for his team and man, they rode that into the SEC tournament all the way here to supers.

[00:15:41]Emily Digby reached down FOR IT AND TOOK IT OUT.

[00:15:59]cutting the Tennessee lead in half with her 11th home run of the season.

[00:16:04]>> Well, no big deal. Just 75 m an hour and she takes it out of here in a heartbeat.

[00:16:09]She's just on time. She gets her swing off absolutely so pretty. Just dead center. 78 miles an hour off the bat.

[00:16:18]>> The dogs are loving it.

[00:16:25]>> Get the chain out. Let's go. Hey, by the way, Danielle, when Emily Digby hits a home run, George is nine and one.

[00:16:34]Natalie Ray, a hit to the gap.

[00:16:39]And man, she's been so good in that nine spot to be able to turn it back over up top.

[00:16:49]>> A 375 hitter on the season. Had been hitless in her last two games. Then here's this. That's just that's a solid piece of hitting. I mean, you got to tip your cap if you're picking. She goes with a pitch. Gets jammed a little bit, but >> Kirsten Ruse now top of the order had a single to lead off.

[00:17:10]When I went back and I I I wanted to see what these athletes hit around 75 75 miles an hour, but that 70 75 for Roose.

[00:17:20]She's been hitting 375. She said two strikeouts, some hits, but it's just always interesting to play around with some of the high VO pitchers that they've faced throughout the year.

[00:17:28]Someone I think of is, you know, a Virginia Tech pitcher, a Keegan Rothrock.

[00:17:33]But it's always interesting to see like as an individual what you hit off that that type of velocity.

[00:17:49]>> But it's something too we've seen the VO is not going to scare people because you can see it now. I mean you can pitching machines and you can see every pitch that your opponent's going to throw at you.

[00:17:58]>> All the tips and tricks for the hitters these days court. You don't need to remind me. I know you're but you hate it.

[00:18:03]>> Very aware.

[00:18:07]>> Piggins will walk Bruce.

[00:18:11]>> Well, and you see the, you know, the frustration the fans, but we saw it last inning with Fischer.

[00:18:18]I mean, the zones a little bit tighter.

[00:18:20]They're not getting as much corner to corner.

[00:18:23]So, it's figuring out how to still get ahead of hitters. Can you say the same thing for both these pitchers that are in the ball game? When you get behind, you struggle.

[00:18:35]>> Bulldogs left field number two.

[00:18:38]>> Simon Clark coming over. The second baseman talking to Pickkins have two on here via a single and a walk. Jaden Goodwin at the plate.

[00:18:54]>> George has done all this production with two outs. Pickkins and her defense took care of the first two batters in this inning and then Digby had a home run.

[00:19:08]This is a team I know that Tony Baldwin has talked a lot about the offensive approach to especially that prese, you know, Beth and Michelle prior to of being able to control the strike zone, right? And you saw a swing by Shorty that last pitch where it called for a timeout cuz that's something she doesn't normally swing at. Like when this dog offense is on point, swinging at pitches that are in their wheelhouse, they are tough. But it's when they start to swing at pitches that they can't do a whole lot of damage with that they can get themselves in trouble. Shorty being Jaden Goodwin. It's her nickname.

[00:19:47]>> Wow. All of Tennessee's runs allowed in the postseason this year have come with two outs.

[00:19:54]That's a good nugget. Jeff Mir, everyone.

[00:19:58]Jaden Goodwin swinging through it. Well, if I'm Carla Pickkins, I'm taking note of that. I'm going right back to it because if she's going to swing again, I mean, she's she's off that one by quite a bit.

[00:20:14]Swing again and Pickin sets her down.

[00:20:18]>> Georgia. I think they're pitching well and at times with the postseason it's a little bit of a clutch factor that has to come into play which I chalk up the first inning of Sophia Knight and Emma Clark as being clutch like that's a statement for for me if if I'm Carl Pickkins in the circle gives me a little extra confidence. There's Bella Fall leading off it'll be 8 N and one doo up for Tennessee. Tennessee's runs have come on the solo shots from Knight and Clark and Bellafa will take a seat. It's backto-back strikeouts for Fiser. Well, the Women's College World Series returns to Oklahoma City. The action begins Thursday, May 28th. That that is a week from today at noon Eastern live on ESPN.

[00:21:11]For more information on the 2026 Women's College World Series, you can visit NCAA.com, the home for all NCAA championships.

[00:21:20]There's the freshman Taylor Holly getting the nod in left field today and somebody who Karen Weekly raved about after their regional run. Never stopped working even when her bat wasn't in the lineup and just kept going after it. And now she's had a hit in seven of their last 10 games.

[00:21:48]when you are seeing a night and day difference from inning one of Madison Fischer to inning two. What's different?

[00:21:54]>> I mean, she's firing on all cylinders.

[00:21:57]She's hitting good spots. She's getting a swing at some pitches for sure. She's in and around the zone, but she just she looks more confident. And I think sometimes just it's that little moment of your team being able to pick you up and answer back, right? You get punched. Man, I gave up a couple solo shots. Okay, well, you're eight hitter just goes deep. That gives you a little bit of extra momentum.

[00:22:19]Probably a good conversation with the pitching coach, Chelsea Wilkinson, in between innings and learning to live with the fact that the zone's going to be small and I got to figure it out. Yeah, there's nothing I can do.

[00:22:34]And so much on the line. Game one of the Super Regionals. Best two out of three.

[00:22:40]>> That's a good pitch at that count.

[00:22:45]>> Don Holly on that drop ball. 182 on the year.

[00:22:54]>> That's three strikeouts in a row going back to last inning. Well, what they're going to have to do is just shrink where they're swinging at pitches, right? Like you're looking at that pitch and if you're Addison Fischer, you're like, "Yep, that's going upstairs in the middle piggy bank cuz you ain't touching that if you're going to swing at it." So, they're going to have to have a little bit more discipline with swinging at pitches closer in the zone, which I felt like they did the first inning. Yeah.

[00:23:20]>> Here's Sophia Knight back to the top of the order at her first home run of the season to lead off this game.

[00:23:29]Karen Weekley did tell us she's the quietest 400 hitter she's ever had >> up the middle. Make it two for two.

[00:23:38]Knight speeding to second.

[00:23:43]That's why you want her at the top. So good.

[00:23:47]And right from the jump, she picks up.

[00:23:50]She's going doubles. Doesn't get to the wall. splits the gap a little bit but has so much speed and legs out.

[00:23:58]Her third was it 13th her ninth double excuse me of the season. Probably would be 13 if she didn't miss about 3 weeks the season. Yeah, she had been out of the lineup. Yeah, she was dealing with an illness and and told us that was the toughest time because she couldn't do anything. Couldn't touch a softball but she said, "You know what? It made me a better teammate. I watched what my team was going through. I tried to be there for them and learn from that." and so thankful to be back. the transfer from Boise State when you saw the timeout actually happened by JT Demo who's the defensive coach came out and talking shop obviously runner on second base two down all on the same page this one of the best defenses in the nation Georgia is top 10 in the nation in fielding percentage first pitch lifting to left Good win is there.

[00:24:56]>> So, a couple of strikeouts in the inning for Addison Fiser. She's got 4Ks on the evening and that team erra in regionals >> 74. Yeah, >> you want to try to carry that over if you can. just that momentum and a team that is in my opinion I think firing on all cylinders so great as you know this season continues to go on conference tournament heating up taking it into regionals and look at this line Pickkins has given up four hits ties for the most allowed this season in an outing for Carlin Pickkins I didn't believe it when you told me through the commercial break I was shocked yeah >> it is Ow.

[00:25:39]>> Third and >> what have you noticed about the Georgia at bats against her? What stood out?

[00:25:47]>> Uh, I like the answer back. The first inning, I kind of feel like Pickkins was doing a really good job of getting them to swing at some pitches out of the zone, but Sarah Gordon slow roller to Ella Dodge.

[00:26:01]I think that this is definitely a Georgia Bulldogs team that when they are able to like execute their plan, it's not necessarily a pitch that they're looking for, but when they really are able to get their swing off and not >> kind of go after pitches way out of the zone, they're they're tough cuz they don't get cheated on their swings.

[00:26:19]That's always what's made Georgia so good to me is >> their hacks.

[00:26:26]Well, Tony Baldwin talked to us about that mentality and that approach as a hitter and he said, "Look, we aren't as much sitting on a pitch as are we are sitting on a window." And to beat good pe pitchers also like you can't swing at balls now. They're >> getting more aggressive and getting that swing off.

[00:26:45]>> Seeing pitchers pitches better.

[00:26:48]>> Well, they're not consistently seeing someone throw 75 76 at him, right? And I think to me it's going to be that second middle second time through the lineup where you see the adjustments. But then again, I'm also like, hey, then we got the change piece. That last one at >> at 65 mph. And some may think like that's her change up. Well, yeah, she's been cruising this game at 75. That's a 10 mph difference in that pitch.

[00:27:16]>> And that was a key for you coming into the game was for Tennessee. How is Carlin Pickkins change up >> good so far?

[00:27:24]>> Yeah, both her strikeouts on the day so far have been on that change. One at 65 and one at 61 miles an hour. And >> strikeout number three today for Pickkins.

[00:27:42]>> This is just by Vo.

[00:27:45]He's letting her rip kind of a drop ball lower end of the zone. that big swing and miss.

[00:27:51]>> And everything's about being able to read a hitter, right? Like you can tell as a pitcher how a swing feels, if they're on you, if they're not, do I need to change speeds and that to me is going to be the flow of the game. Like her being able to be aware of like, okay, hey, they're getting on the velocity. I got to kind of pump the brakes on the hard, throw a little bit more change ups in, mix that.

[00:28:12]She hasn't really needed to.

[00:28:18]Marissa Miller, the catcher, bounces it to fall.

[00:28:24]>> It's a three up, three down inning. And Pickkins picks up another strike out.

[00:28:28]Lady Balls at the plate when we come back more. Here's Emma Clark who had a solo home run in the first inning off of Addison Fischer. I will say I think it was three teams last year lost game one and advanced including Texas. I remember being a part of a team that lost game one and came back. It's not fun. Want to win game one.

[00:28:51]>> Yeah.

[00:28:54]It wasn't to to the dogs. I actually lost to Georgia in the World Series my senior year, but it was to Oklahoma that got us game one.

[00:29:12]Addison Fischer 36 pitches in that first inning. Tennessee hit two solo home runs. Then just 12 pitches in the second inning and nine of them strikes, which I think is the difference maker, right? Being able to come back in, figure out, hey, what am I going to get for strikes? Because the first inning, way too many pitches being thrown. And she's someone that's that is efficient. when she's on, she doesn't need to throw a ton of pitches.

[00:29:39]It's just that like that's filth inner half down over a 13 in break on that at 72 mph. Like I want no part of that.

[00:29:47]That has my shin written all over it if I make contact with that.

[00:29:52]>> Well, on April 22nd, Addison Fischer revealed to the world that she was dealing something with something off of the softball field, too. that she was diagnosed right before her freshman year at UCLA with multiple scerosis, a central something that attacks her central nervous system. And man, she's had to learn how to deal with that, good days and bad days, and still going out there to pitch and just putting in work and then also learning a new team and transferring to Georgia. When I'm going to go and pitch in the SEC, I mean, that's not easy on top of that. But man, I I remember when she had posted that and put that out to the world. I had different people sending that to me and just, you know, your heart goes out to her. But I love the vulnerability and letting people into that part of her life. I mean, that's that's a huge part of it.

[00:30:44]Tony Baldwin telling us the fall was a little more uncertainty around how to manage her, but now it's a lot of her focusing on her diet, being smart with her training.

[00:30:56]She faces a lot of leech now.

[00:31:02]>> And he actually made the statement today cuz he was talking about our wind up. He goes, "You know, we when we watch rolling pitch, she has to create all this energy, but Addison Fischer can roll out of bed throwing 72 with >> Alana Leech back up the middle."

[00:31:15]Diggbby's got it.

[00:31:19]And she does have one of those windups that just is so like natural with her momentum. She doesn't have to do too much. She's very fortunate to be strong through her pitch with that natural kind of drop ball that's always been that's what made her, you know, the number one recruit in the nation when she was going to UCLA and yeah, the national Gatorade player of the year. Here's Mackenzie But and it was Addison Fischer, Caitlyn Terry, and Taylor Tensley. That was kind of the trio at UCLA last season.

[00:32:00]Also played with the Northwest Bullets.

[00:32:02]I remember going and watching that that team compete. Played with Tia Malloy who's at Oklahoma. Like they were fierce.

[00:32:12]McKenzie Butt. Hard hit ball bouncing to the wall.

[00:32:17]She will hold at first as Natalie Ray makes the throw in.

[00:32:24]That just sounded good.

[00:32:25]>> Yeah, that's a that's a long single.

[00:32:28]This is a 200 hack. You just see that slight little drift that comes right back over the plate and she is on time with it. Especially with that type of count, right? Like you know a pitcher who's going to come in with something when they're behind in the count. And I like that swing. Well, part of the defensive changes as Elsa Morrison hops that one into Lindmouth's glove was to get Butt's bat in the lineup, but she will be stranded at first. After three innings, Tennessee has a lead here in game one of Super Regionals. We will talk to their head coach Karen Weekly when we come back to Rocky Top.

[00:33:01]>> All right, offensive.

[00:33:04]I like the way we're getting our pitch and we're going.

[00:33:06]>> Coach, what's the conversation been like with Carl Pickkins? We know it's a scrappy dog offense, but from inning to inning, what are you guys chatting with her about?

[00:33:13]>> Oh, you know, just talking about the pitches and their locations and then what we want to mix in a little bit more. Um, when that change up's going, uh, she's really tough and she's nailed enough of them. She got us out of a big jam with a really, really good one. So, Carlin's a big game pitcher and when they get runners on, Carlin bears down even more. So, you love having a competitor like that out there.

[00:33:33]>> Karen, what was your first thought when Sophia Knight let off this game with a home run? Well, I knew she was going to swing and I knew something good could happen and she could ignite us. But I don't think any of us expected us to go out of the park. Uh but Sophia's got a great swing. Just hasn't used it much this year and uh she picked the right time to bring it out.

[00:33:50]>> She sure did. Thanks. We appreciate it.

[00:33:51]>> Thank you.

[00:33:53]>> Well, I love it too. Carlin's a big game pitcher, right? Like she's in her senior year. This is her house. I mean, Georgia has came here to her. Like I those are all the little moments that fire you up and you know that there's nobody that loves the ball in these tight ball games with you know so much riding on her. It's It's pretty cool to see >> was the number one pick in the A USL draft this year.

[00:34:26]>> And I just touching on what Karen said, like she's thrown enough of them, right?

[00:34:31]Meaning like there's just a small hint of doubt in your head as a hitter that is that coming and that's when you sometimes start to see some swings out of your comfort zone. And that's one thing Tony Baldwin said when they faced Oklahoma in that three-game set. He said, "They did a really good job of being able to change speeds a ton and we learned a lot about ourselves and our our swings in that three-game series.

[00:34:56]Gabby Novikas here to lead off a 678 do up for Georgia.

[00:35:01]Their only run coming from Emily Digby.

[00:35:04]A home run in the eighth spot.

[00:35:27]And you see her trying. That's twice in this at bat that she's trying to throw that change up. When that ball drifts up, that's what that pitch is. It isn't a rise ball. It's her just trying to get the field behind the change. But I like that she's still throwing it.

[00:35:43]>> Hard hit ball to Bella Faw.

[00:35:47]No problem for Bella.

[00:35:52]Well, this is our side of the bracket presented by Capital One. Winner of this Super Regional matches up with the winner of the Texas Arizona State Super Regional at the Women's College World Series a week from today.

[00:36:08]Just two sites in action today to kick us off here in Knoxville and then also in Lincoln as Nebraska hosting Oklahoma State. We'll get you there when we're done here on Rocky Top.

[00:36:20]Bailey Lindamuth up next.

[00:36:25]Bellif called on again.

[00:36:31]The lead defender at shortstop for Tennessee. Well, and you see that Tennessee shifted a little bit more up the middle in the sense of like >> you're probably not going to have a to a whole bunch of hitters, right-handed hitters that tend to pull that type of 75 76 miles an hour, right? So, it's like chance they might be a little bit late. We've seen backto back shorts stop pinched middle the throw over first.

[00:36:58]this good defensive positioning and understanding swings.

[00:37:04]>> Digby had the home run last time off of Carlin.

[00:37:15]>> She's doubled her home run total from her first two seasons. And by the way, she hits 421 in the NCAA tournament in her career.

[00:37:24]>> Not terrible.

[00:37:26]>> I'm here for it. Three balls to Digby.

[00:38:01]and she walks Diggby. Second walk of the game for Carllin Pickkins.

[00:38:05]>> Well, one of the the questions that I had for Megan Road Smith, the pitching coach, was just the walks when that happens, what do you think is, you know, what does she need to focus on? And it really has come down to her being able to simplify things. Sometimes when she tries too hard, it's when she tries to kind of fixate on doing something. When she almost needs to slow down her wind up and they had had a good bullpen prior to regionals kicking off where Carlin was like, man, I'm going to go I'm going to go all out like I'm going to try to throw it as hard as I can. Megan Road Smith was like, "What? All right, just go." And it was the best pitch he's ever thrown. But it wasn't the beginning. The beginning was so smooth.

[00:38:44]>> It was he described it as a rubber band.

[00:38:46]slow on pulling it back and then quick on the release.

[00:38:49]>> And for Pickkins, it's like we we know she's a specimen. She's tall, she's strong, she's lengthy, she gets out there, but the throwing it as hard as she could came from when her left foot landed, that plant foot, the amount of power that she generates through her front side was that added bonus. So Megan RH Smith was like, "All right, hey, let's uh let's do that more."

[00:39:13]Natalie for her speed. You don't you don't see a lot of 76s uh across the country. So, you know, you have to try and make some adjustments. And right now, we've overadjusted a little bit on that, but also I think both pitchers have settled in and are commanding the ball well. And, you know, that makes it tough.

[00:39:30]>> Well, that's what I was going to ask about Addison Fischer the first inning trying to establish strike zone and figure that out. But what conversation is she having with coach Wilkinson in the dugout about those types of things?

[00:39:40]Well, you know, she she didn't get a couple pitches and then resorted to, you know, leaving them a little bit fat. And >> um in this conference, you know, you throw balls over the heart of the plate and they're going to get paid, you're going to figure it out. Um so, you know, the thing that we've called for her to do is just compete the way that she's capable of competing. And um I think she's settled in. She started to get the ball to the sides of the plate a little bit better and um you know, we're right where we want to be.

[00:40:05]>> Thanks, coach. We appreciate it.

[00:40:06]>> All right. Go Dogs.

[00:40:07]>> Yeah. One-run game. Tennessee had two solo shots. Georgia had one. Seventh time that these two programs have met in the NCAA tournament.

[00:40:17]A three and three record in those previous six meetings.

[00:40:21]>> The last was in 2008, the Athens Super Georgia won it.

[00:40:27]>> And I love it. Just just go and compete, right? And the things we can control and the things we can't control the strike zone. as frustrated as you can see me get up in the booth. I don't have to go out there and pitch.

[00:40:40]But it's just trying to figure out how to grind through that. And I really think she's responded well through that and has kept her tempo.

[00:40:51]I >> think either team be happy to have you if you did want to go out.

[00:40:54]>> Yeah.

[00:40:56]>> Need a little bit more of a, you know, notice.

[00:41:02]Just saying.

[00:41:03]Gabby Leech leading off this inning for Tennessee.

[00:41:09]>> Tennessee's left a runner stranded in the last two innings. Had one in scoring position in the second.

[00:41:18]And I know these Leech sisters with having their sister on staff and Aubrey Leech just how clutch that has been able to be. I know Aubrey keeps the chart and she's constantly connecting with the athletes in the dugout non-stop in their ear. the best way about, hey, what do you see and what do you need to go with, not only offensively, but defensively, too. And I think when you're able to have a pro like that who's obviously lived it in that uniform, but still continues to play in the pro ranks with AUSL, it also just kind of gives you that confidence, too. Like athletes like to be coached. Like I want you to tell me like, hey, what do I need to do? What are um the things that you're seeing from me? How can I be better?

[00:42:02]And I think if you're a leech, I guess you're apparently required to go to school to Tennessee. It's like a pipeline. Yeah.

[00:42:11]>> Now, Aubrey and Kelsey both went fam in the stands parents. Kay and Todd.

[00:42:23]Gabby Leech. It's going at Roose just hopped a little extra.

[00:42:37]That's a pretty good hard piece.

[00:42:40]That extra hop. I bet Roose would want that one back, but also understands the speed coming up the line. They're going to chalk that up as an E4.

[00:42:56]And that's what when you you understand you got to run with it, right? If you're Tennessee, you get that lead off on >> showing bunt right past Lindamouth.

[00:43:07]I mean, perfect placement as Lunduth was crashing in on the corner >> and Bellaf had only had one hit for her last 23 appearances. This is so good, right? With her being able to kind of point the barrel, take it to the left side, understanding that short stop was going more towards second, it just completely opened up the hole, which puts couple ducks on the pond here for Tennessee. And with Holly coming up, I'd be in that mindset of potentially dropping another bunt, advance those runners, give the top of your lineup, especially a hot Sophia Knight, a riby opportunity.

[00:43:49]Tennessee's got their first two hitters on in the fourth inning. Nobody down.

[00:43:57]>> Fisher, five hits, couple of earned runs. Both those solo shots, two walks and five Ks so far tonight. Tayen Holly bottom of the order for Tennessee. Pulls back on the bunt and three sacks on the year so far for Holly.

[00:44:15]But Karen Weekley has said she is a professional hitter. Saw that in the fall.

[00:44:21]Rough patch during the season. Back to who she is now. And that just dies off her bat.

[00:44:27]She'll be tossed out at first, but she does her job and moves two lady balls in scoring position.

[00:44:39]>> Well, this could not be more clutch.

[00:44:42]>> She does her job.

[00:44:45]advances the runners with an additional 60 ft. So now there's two RBI opportunities for Sophia Knight and Ella Dodge to add a couple, in my opinion, huge insurance runs.

[00:44:58]Yeah. And now back to the top of the order where Sophia Knight is two for two with a home run and a double.

[00:45:06]And Georgia is going to have a pitching change here.

[00:45:10]So Addison Fischer heads into the dugout, >> but she's thrown some big innings. We saw that epic game that she got the opportunity to throw against Oklahoma at the SEC tournament where she was absolutely nailed. So she's thrown some big innings.

[00:45:25]Has that upper 60s VO the rise in the screw are really kind of the the difference makers for her is working that change up in when she can. Top of the order, Sophia Knight, who is two for two with a home run and a double. And it's two on thanks to an error and a single. I'm really trying to improve that that change, but definitely more of an upspin pitcher. I mean, 41% of the time she's going upstairs. 46% she's throwing that screw ball.

[00:46:12]Sophia Knight, this is how she started the game for Tennessee. Her first home run of the season.

[00:46:17]>> Yeah, Coach Karen Weekly said it when we talked to her earlier today. She said she's hitting a quiet 400, but it feels like she's going to do something big.

[00:46:24]And show me the money.

[00:46:31]in foul territory in the stands.

[00:46:35]>> Pretty good catch.

[00:46:55]a 379 average with two strikes tops in the SEC. Somebody who told us this week when we spoke to her that yeah, she was a little nervous coming to Tennessee.

[00:47:04]Spent two seasons at Boise State, led the nation in hits last year with 103, but then she just settled into who she was, not trying to be perfect.

[00:47:15]That's big.

[00:47:17]>> Yeah. Monster strikeout for Presley Harrison to strike out the first batter that she has faced. Especially one that was two for two today. Well, and climbing the ladder. Look at this pitch.

[00:47:27]Just gets underneath it.

[00:47:30]>> Such a big strike out in that type of a situation. A lot of momentum. Gets the second out of the inning.

[00:47:38]>> There's Elidage.

[00:47:46]How important do you feel like for Tennessee to score here with Georgia's offense?

[00:47:50]>> Huge.

[00:47:51]>> Yeah.

[00:47:52]>> Anytime you get opportunities in the postseason with runners in scoring position with less than two outs, you got to find a way to capitalize.

[00:48:01]Georgia, a team that's seventh in the nation in batting average, tied for 12th in hits.

[00:48:07]And Tennessee's question mark this season has been the offense.

[00:48:19]right into Lindmouth's glove and Tennessee is going to leave two in scoring position.

[00:48:26]Goes is at bay for the most part have found a tough strike zone and have been able to utilize their pitches. They've been moving all around the zone.

[00:48:33]Obviously, we have a pitching change now. Madison Fischer is out of the game and they brought in Harrison, but this is uh how we got here. Well, Carl Pickkins back out there to face the top of the order for Georgia for the third time. First time through, Georgia was four for nine off of pickins. Second time 0 for seven.

[00:48:51]>> I love that. Not that for them, but I'm saying on the flip side for >> um just kind of >> but that's also clarified. Coach Karen Weekly talks about like she's gets better as the game goes on. And that's why it was I think important for her to be able to get the start tonight knowing as the game goes she gets better and better and I think to me this inning feels like it's the most important. You have the third time through top of the lineup and a dangerous Georgia offense.

[00:49:23]Kirstston Ruse to start >> who was singled and walked against Pickkins tonight.

[00:49:42]>> And I'd keep throwing that. That's her change up. That looks like it's not a change up at 66, but it is. It's not a rise ball. She's still trying to work and figure that out. But we've seen her throw some great pitches with that in the zone. And then a couple others just gets jammed up. But Dodge, wow, what a play from Ella Dodge. And remember too, Tennessee changed their infield last weekend. Ella Dodge was at second base and now she's at third.

[00:50:13]Well, she went back to the change. 67 miles an hour and she pulls it to the left side. You love it. Ella Dodge over there on the run off the right foot close with the speed up the line, but you also love to see it with Mackenzie but at first being able to stretch out get that James Goodwin here for Georgia struck out on that change in the second.

[00:50:52]You know, going back to the defensive changes for Tennessee, Kieran Weekly told us she was pleased with how they attacked it and approached that when she broke the news to them that, hey, like this is what we're going to do. We're moving you here, sliding over. Everybody was on board.

[00:51:07]Well, explaining the why, right, in those moments of she went up to, you know, router in practice and kind of explained like, "Hey, you all good? this is what's going on. And just being able to clarify strike out for Pickkins.

[00:51:27]And these are the defensive changes that Tennessee decided to make going into the regional. New second baseman, new third baseman, new first baseman. They're circled in that Summit Blue.

[00:51:39]>> They got Mackenzie's Mackenzie Butts bat in the lineup, too.

[00:51:43]I thought you were going to say it got McKenzie's butt back out there on the field.

[00:51:47]>> I almost said that.

[00:51:49]>> Had to stop myself, >> Sarah Gordon.

[00:52:01]I think it it was a smart change, but a risky change, right? this late in the season, you've had such rhythm and routine with the same group out there, but I I respect the change. I think it makes a big difference.

[00:52:18]>> Wow, what an inning. Picking thriving right now.

[00:52:22]>> She's got five certain coffee shops, Seven Brew, I believe it is, looking for an Nelia. Uh they make the bus driver take them there. I think it was like 20 or 30 minutes away from the stadium it was today.

[00:52:33]>> And they drove over there.

[00:52:36]Look, you got to do what you got to do, man. Biggest game of the season.

[00:52:41]>> You need your coffee. You need your coffee. Your routine number one. And he says Tony Baldwin says like, "Listen, I'd much rather them be hanging out in the bus, giggling, having a good time than just sitting in the hotel room."

[00:52:51]So, >> right. Then they went to go hit after. I mean, they had a a solid little >> Friday Eve morning.

[00:52:58]>> Well, it's Thursday, so >> it's Friday Eve.

[00:53:00]>> Oh, Friday Eve. Sorry. Wow. I was like, man.

[00:53:05]>> Yeah.

[00:53:06]I got you.

[00:53:07]>> Oh, >> the old Friday Eve.

[00:53:10]>> That's a first >> crowd.

[00:53:12]>> Emma Clark here. It's jammed up to Digby.

[00:53:20]Well, on Monday, catch some afternoon Major League Baseball on ESPN. Yankees head to Kansas City to take on the Royals. First pitch at 3:30 Eastern on ESPN streaming live on the ESPN app.

[00:53:31]Did you have something you had to have pregame before an outing? Uh, a venty iced coffee from Starbucks. Okay.

[00:53:40]>> Only the one at the U Village though.

[00:53:42]>> Oh, when we played hard games, that is. I don't know. Pictures. We're different.

[00:53:46]We're creatures of habit.

[00:53:48]>> That's true.

[00:53:49]>> Yeah, I can see that in the best way about your little arts and crafts we got going on game time. But it's my favorite thing. No one more prepared than my girl Courtney Lo >> who started at Tennessee. Jo-Ann's didn't even see me coming.

[00:54:03]>> Actually think they shut down.

[00:54:04]>> They did.

[00:54:05]>> Yeah.

[00:54:07]>> Hobby Lobby is still there a few minutes.

[00:54:13]>> Here's Alana Leech at the plate for Tennessee.

[00:54:19]>> Oh, did you feel that OFF THE BAT? Alana Leech did.

[00:54:27]Three homers in this game for Tennessee.

[00:54:34]>> Home run by number 10, Alana Lee, her 13th of the year.

[00:54:47]Let's go.

[00:54:49]Lana Leech number 13 just ready for it.

[00:54:52]Pitch a little bit elevated. She gets underneath it so well. I mean, this is a Michelle Smith. Elevate and celebrate all the way.

[00:55:01]>> 72 mph off the bat. Got out of here.

[00:55:09]>> Tennessee's last 13 home runs have been solo shots.

[00:55:15]>> Yeah.

[00:55:17]>> I mean, nothing wrong with a three-run blast, but you'll take you'll take what you can get. McKenzie butt hop butt hops this one to Digby.

[00:55:32]>> I'm just loving the plan of attack for Tennessee, right? I think to me when it came to this super regional, the question mark was going to be offensively, how is this team going to show up? What type of at bats were they going to be able to have? And um you always know what they're going to get when it comes to in the circle and that reli reliability, but offensively at times have been streaky. And in this type of setting with this home crowd, everyone behind you like I I feel the statement that they're trying to make.

[00:56:04]Elsa Morrison now two down.

[00:56:14]Tennessee the game where their offense a team where their offense needed to start going up in the right direction towards the postseason. First 26 games hitting over 330 last 28 the 250 range.

[00:56:32]And Karen Weekley felt like in the regional she saw them offensively get better each day. They were more productive in RBI situations. They were able to score in different ways and they were having good at bats.

[00:56:49]Well, what she wanted heading into this super regionals was continue to have that that, you know, plan of attack of being aggressive early, but more importantly, not taking too many pitches early. Morrison out to left and Goodwin calls it. How about a third home run super regional game for you, Jordy from one of the three finalists for the national player of the year. She is coming up next with her Nebraska Corn Huskers. They are hosting Oklahoma State in their super regional. This is how their portion of the bracket shapes up.

[00:57:24]That Lincoln super regional matches up with Arkansas and Duke.

[00:57:30]And man, Jordy from I feel like just I mean gets better and better. Just cooking. She's cooking. She's good. One of the best two-way players that we've seen in a really long time. top three finalist for national player of the year going up against her former travel ball team and I know she played uh with Ruby Min a little bit. Ruby Min is born and raised in Nebraska. So is Jordan.

[00:57:55]There's just all these cool ties. Feel like Alexis Jensen is actually born and raised in Nebraska. Don't quote me, but I feel good about it.

[00:58:03]>> Can't wait to watch that one after we're done here in Knoxville. We'll get you out to Lincoln from another world. Get out of here. I love that.

[00:58:11]>> That is good.

[00:58:14]>> Well, if we can't say ball anymore, let's do those fun little things.

[00:58:23]>> Tyler Ellison is leading off here.

[00:58:24]Tennessee added a little more insurance with a solo home run from Alana Leech last inning.

[00:58:33]Carmen Pickkins has struck out the last two batters she's faced.

[00:58:39]She's retired 10 of the last 11.

[00:58:48]>> Hard hit ball to Clark.

[00:58:54]Well, Tony Baldwin wasn't wrong in the sense of like you're not facing someone who's consistently throwing 75 all the time. But Carla Pickkins today, I mean, I've seen a couple 70s, but for the most part, she's been cruising anywhere between 74 to 77 miles an hour. More so up in and around the 75 76. Like that is cooking and challenging for hitters. I I mean when you're not always seeing that, it's not that this Georgia team can't hit that VLOO, but then you mix in her change up that she's been able to throw sparingly, I'd almost say a little bit effectively, wild with that pitch, but still able to get in the back of the hitter's head.

[00:59:35]And Marissa Miller here, the catcher, I constantly make them think like, is the change piece coming? And that was your big question about her coming into this game.

[00:59:52]And heading into this series, I I looked at the top five pitchers, but then I wanted to chalk it down to more than 200 pitches thrown. Jordie from is number two in the nation with the biggest whiff rate on the change at 62.3 mph, which means swings and misses on that pitch. And then Alyssa Faircloth, who's still in the NCA tournament with Mississippi State, she's 56.5.

[01:00:15]You have Kenzie Brown with Arizona State at number four at 55.4. And then you have Pickkins at number five. So in the nation, the highest swing and miss rate, number five, which goes to show how good that pitch is when it is on. And then on top of that, the hardest thrower >> in the world.

[01:00:36]>> Yeah.

[01:00:36]>> Yeah. Not just in the college game, in the world.

[01:00:41]A two- two here to Miller.

[01:00:47]There it is. So good.

[01:00:50]>> Taking a little something off it.

[01:00:57]>> So good. Climbing the ladder.

[01:01:02]>> Just underneath it. Marissa Miller.

[01:01:04]Another big time strikeout for Pickkins.

[01:01:12]>> Gabby Novictus.

[01:01:14]Pickings actually threw that fastest pitch all time, 79.4 against shorty from in supers last year.

[01:01:23]>> Yeah, that was a pretty epic fouled it off. No big deal, you know.

[01:01:28]>> No one even knew. Yeah.

[01:01:32]>> And then we did and then of course you're like, "Wow, she sent records, but also she failed it off." It's crazy.

[01:01:51]Three balls to Novvicus.

[01:02:04]>> She'll take the base.

[01:02:13]Pickkins has walked three today.

[01:02:20]>> When I asked Megan Road Smith just about that, the walks, she said what I can say that she has been really good at is being able to answer back. She's been able to respond after she's done something, not let anything too get >> too carried away.

[01:02:38]at the plate.

[01:02:39]>> All Donaldson will be running at first base with Bailey Lindamouth at the plate.

[01:02:54]>> And it's perfect time to take a timeout if you are the pitching coach Megan RH Smith. I mean, it kind of feels like she's thrown around four balls in a row here, five balls. So, just go out, connect. I think it's more important to talk about slowing things down because she said when she does throw a consistent amount of balls in a row, she's trying to go really fast and try to, you know, correct too much. It's not about correcting anything. It's like, hey, rubber band mentality, slow and steady to explosive out, not trying to do too much.

[01:03:26]Slow on the pullback and then snap it.

[01:03:28]Boom.

[01:03:31]And Megan Rhodess Smith told us today, you know, her and Carlin know each other so well now. Season 4 together, they know what each other needs and sometimes it's just a little little reminder, a little little check-in.

[01:03:45]We saw in the region regional they went into the bullpen in between innings and worked on a few things.

[01:03:51]Was in the regional final.

[01:03:53]There's Lindamouth.

[01:04:11]That one fell hot. I heard that glove snap.

[01:04:27]Good lights. Listen, I I'm patient right now. If I am Georgia, I know there's two outs, but >> I do also know that's backto back 3-1 counts that she's gotten herself into.

[01:04:43]>> Now it runs full with Lindamuth representing the tying run at the plate.

[01:05:03]F.

[01:05:08]Lindamuth is safe and it is two on.

[01:05:16]That is five hits allowed by Carlin.

[01:05:19]first time since facing Texas last year in the Women's College World Series >> and some good speed up the line. It was just almost kind of like that slight double pump by Bella >> Thawby >> that allowed for the speed of Lindamouth to get up the line and the home run hitter and Digby hit a home run in the second inning and now she's got two on.

[01:05:45]>> Tying run at first. She's the go-ahead run at the plate.

[01:05:59]last seven games hitting over 500 for Emily Digby. And in the second inning, just hit her 11th home run of the season.

[01:06:07]>> Yeah, she was able to turn on that pitch. No doubt about it. Dead center.

[01:06:13]I will say though, when Carlin Pickkins is 0 and2, she has that.36 erra.

[01:06:22]>> That fired her up.

[01:06:33]>> Georgia an opportunity to tie this game and picking slams the door. Well, and this pitch, man, 65 miles an hour, taking something off it. 02. This is the statement pitch. This pitch makes her that much better. So good. She knows it.

[01:06:52]Tennessee up two.

[01:06:58]>> The NCAA softball Super Regionals are presented by Capital One. What's in your wallet?

[01:07:07]And in part by Liberty Mutual Insurance.

[01:07:10]>> Winner of the series is going on to Oklahoma City.

[01:07:16]>> Gabby Leech looking for her first hit tonight.

[01:07:19]Reached on an error in the fourth.

[01:07:31]It's been a night where Tennessee established their bats right away with a leadoff home run to start this game. Two solo shots in the first inning and then added some more with a solo home run from Alana Leech in the fifth.

[01:07:49]Both of these teams have been to the World Series before trying to get back there. Georgia it would be a sixth. For Tennessee, it would be a 10th. And back to back, Gabby Leech into Natalie Ray's glove.

[01:08:07]ESPN is the home of MLB.com. You can stream every automarket game live or on demand using the ESPN app. Blackout and other restrictions apply. For more information, go to espn.com/mlbtv.

[01:08:31]Tennessee is going to use a pinch hitter >> and Meredith Barnhard will step up. She is 0 for her last five, seeking her first hit since April 13th against Kentucky.

[01:08:48]Rockies.

[01:09:01]>> She's going up against Presley Harrison who entered this game in the fourth inning, relieving Addison Fischer, who got the start.

[01:09:19]Harrison ahead. One and two.

[01:09:21]>> Oh, good pitch by Harrison.

[01:09:24]A little something off it.

[01:09:52]Two-2.

[01:10:13]Barnhart found some room. OUT TO RIGHT SHE GOES.

[01:10:21]Seventh hit of the season for Meredith Barnhard out of Colorado. Oh, and a nice job, too. She was 1 for 12 as a pinch hitter.

[01:10:30]was able to work a little bit of a count and just kind of takes the screw ball on the outside part of the plate. some good pop behind it. Pulls it to the right side and Kirsten Russo loved the effort at second but had too much heat on it and >> big base hit and then Bellaf is going to reenter to run for her leftielder number 27.

[01:11:05]And now here comes another freshman in the nine spot. Talon Holly >> laid down a bunt to move runners in the fourth inning.

[01:11:35]Car weekly praised her reset moments in her abs in the regional. Even when she was down in the count, saw her able to step back in, reset herself as a freshman and come through for Tennessee.

[01:11:52]Had a double, a home run, a couple of RBI's in those three games in the regional.

[01:11:57]>> Get in the nine spot, too.

[01:12:00]can turn around and have good productive at bats, right? That's what you want.

[01:12:03]Especially when you fall behind in a count. Can you be scrappy?

[01:12:09]>> This one out to Goodwin.

[01:12:12]Two away.

[01:12:21]>> Top of the order for the fourth time tonight. Sophia Knight, her first look at Presley Harrison in that fourth inning. She struck out but before that two for two start to this game. A home run and a double.

[01:12:39]>> And foul on that bunt.

[01:13:07]Super guy.

[01:13:42]Emily Digby no pulls off for Goodwin and Tennessee leaves one stranded >> going to the seventh inning and a last ch chance for these Georgia bats in game one of this super.

[01:13:54]>> Actually born and raised in Nebraska.

[01:13:56]Don't quote me, but I feel good about it.

[01:13:59]>> Can't wait to watch that one. After we're done here in Knoxville, we'll get you out to Lincoln from another world.

[01:14:05]Get out of here. I love that.

[01:14:07]>> That is good.

[01:14:10]>> Well, if we can't say ball anymore, let's do those >> fun little things.

[01:14:19]Tyler Ellison is leading off here.

[01:14:20]Tennessee added a little more insurance with a solo home run from Alana Leech last inning.

[01:14:29]Carlin Pickkins has struck out the last two batters she's faced.

[01:14:35]She's retired 10 of the last 11.

[01:14:44]Hard hit ball to Clerk.

[01:14:50]Well, and Tony Baldwin wasn't wrong in the sense of like you're not facing someone who's consistently throwing 75 all the time, but Carla Pickkins today, I mean, I've seen a couple 70s, but for the most part, she's been cruising anywhere between 74 to 77 miles an hour, more so up in and around the 75, 76.

[01:15:09]like that is cooking and challenging for hitters. I I mean when you're not always seeing that, it's not that this Georgia team can't hit that VLOO, but then you mix in her change up that she's been able to throw sparingly. I'd almost say a little bit effectively wild with that pitch, but still able to get in the back of the hitter's head and Marissa Miller here, the catcher.

[01:15:35]I constantly make them think like, is the change piece coming? And that was your big question about her coming into this game.

[01:15:48]>> And heading into this series, I I looked at the top five pitchers, but then I wanted to chalk it down to more than 200 pitches thrown. Jordy from is number two in the nation with the biggest whiff rate on the change at 62.3 miles an hour which means swings and misses on that pitch. And then Alyssa Faircloth who's still in the NCA tournament with Mississippi State. She's 56.5.

[01:16:11]You have Kenzie Brown with Arizona State at number four at 55.4. And then you have Pickkins at number five. So in the nation the highest swing and miss rate, number five, which goes to show how good that pitch is. Yeah.

[01:16:27]>> And then on top of that, the hardest thrower in the world.

[01:16:32]>> Yeah. Not just in the college, in the world.

[01:16:37]A two- two here to Miller.

[01:16:42]And there it is. So good.

[01:16:46]>> Taking a little something off it.

[01:16:53]So good. Climbing the ladder.

[01:16:58]Just underneath it, Marissa Miller.

[01:17:00]Another big time strike out for Pickkins.

[01:17:08]>> Gabby Novvicus.

[01:17:10]Pickkins actually threw that fastest pitch all time. 79.4 against Shorty from in supers last year.

[01:17:19]>> Yeah, that was a pretty epic fouled it off. No big deal. I know. No one even knew. Yeah.

[01:17:28]And then we did. And then of course you're like, "Wow, she sent records, but also she failed it off." It's crazy.

[01:17:47]>> Three balls to Novvicus.

[01:18:00]She'll take the base.

[01:18:09]>> Higgins has walked three today.

[01:18:16]When I asked Megan Road Smith just about that, the walks, >> she said what I can say that she has been really good at is being able to answer back. She's been able to respond after she's done something, not let anything too get >> too carried away.

[01:18:34]>> Natalie Donaldson will be running at first base with Bailey Lindamouth at the plate.

[01:18:50]And it's perfect time to take a timeout if you are the pitching coach Megan RH Smith. I mean, it kind of feels like she's thrown around four balls in a row here, five balls. So, just go out connect. I think it's more important to talk about slowing things down because she said when she does throw a consistent amount of balls in a row, she's trying to go really fast and try to, you know, correct too much. It's not about correcting anything. It's like, hey, rubber band mentality, slow and steady to explosive out, not trying to do too much.

[01:19:22]Slow on the pullback and then snap it.

[01:19:24]Boom.

[01:19:27]And Megan Rhodess Smith told us today, you know, her and Carlin know each other so well now. Season 4 together, they know what each other needs and sometimes it's just a little little reminder, a little little check-in.

[01:19:41]We saw in the region regional they went into the bullpen in between innings and worked on a few things.

[01:19:47]Was in the regional final.

[01:19:49]There's Lindamuth.

[01:20:07]That one felt hot. I heard that glove snap.

[01:20:23]Good lights. Listen, I I'm patient right now. If I am Georgia, I know there's two outs, but >> I do also know that's backto back 3-1 counts that she's gotten herself into.

[01:20:39]>> Now it runs full with Lindamouth representing the tying run at the plate.

[01:20:59]F.

[01:21:04]Lindamuth is safe and it is two on.

[01:21:12]That is five hits allowed by Carlin.

[01:21:15]first time since facing Texas last year in the Women's College World Series >> and some good speed up the line. It was just almost kind of like that slight double pump by Bella Thawby >> that allowed for the speed of Lindamouth to get up the line and the home run hitter and Digby hit a home run in the second inning and now she's got two on.

[01:21:41]>> Tying run at first. She's the go-ahead run at the plate.

[01:21:55]last seven games hitting over 500 for Emily Digby. And in the second inning, just hit her 11th home run of the season.

[01:22:03]>> Yeah, she was able to turn on that head run at the plate. And Carlin Pickkins got a strike out on the change. And now it's 789 dup for Tennessee.

[01:22:12]Game one of this super regional. It's best two out of three series and the winner of this series is going on to Oklahoma City.

[01:22:22]>> Gabby Leech looking for her first hit tonight.

[01:22:25]Reached on an error in the fourth.

[01:22:37]It's been a night where Tennessee established their bats right away with a leadoff home run to start this game. Two solo shots in the first inning and then added some more with a solo home run from Alana Leech in the fifth.

[01:22:55]Both of these teams have been to the World Series before trying to get back there. Georgia it would be a sixth. For Tennessee, it would be a 10th. And back to back, Gabby Leech into Natalie Ray's glove.

[01:23:13]ESPN is the home of MLB.com. You can stream every automarket game live or on demand using the ESPN app. Blackout and other restrictions apply. For more information, go to espn.com/mlbtv.

[01:23:37]Tennessee is going to use a pinch hitter.

[01:23:41]>> And Meredith Barnhard will step up. She is 0 for her last five, seeking her first hit since April 13th against Kentucky.

[01:23:54]Rocky.

[01:24:07]>> She's going up against Presley Harrison, who entered this game in the fourth inning, relieving Addison Fischer, who got the start.

[01:24:25]So Harrison ahead one and two.

[01:24:27]>> Oh, good pitch by Harrison.

[01:24:30]A little something off it.

[01:24:58]Two- two.

[01:25:19]Barnhart found some room. OUT TO RIGHT SHE GOES.

[01:25:27]Seventh hit of the season for Meredith Barnhard out of Colorado. Oh, and a nice job, too. She was 1 for 12 as a pinch hitter.

[01:25:36]was able to work a little bit of a count and just kind of takes the screw ball on the outside part of the plate. Some good pop behind it, pulls it to the right side and Kirsten Russo love the effort at second but had too much heat on it and big base hit >> and then Bellaf is going to reenter and run for her.

[01:26:06]Next up, Tennessee left fieldielder number 27, Talon Holly.

[01:26:11]>> And now here comes another freshman in the nine spot. Talon Holly laid down a bunt to move runners in the fourth inning.

[01:26:41]Karen Wiggley praised her reset moments in her abs in the regional even when she was down in the count. Saw her able to step back in, reset herself as a freshman and come through for Tennessee.

[01:26:58]>> Had a double, a home run, a couple of RBI's in those three games in the regional.

[01:27:03]get in the nine spot too to can turn around and have good productive at bats, right? That's what you want. Especially when you fall behind in account, can you be scrappy?

[01:27:15]>> This one out to Goodwin.

[01:27:18]Two away.

[01:27:27]Top of the order for the fourth time tonight. Sophia Knight, her first look at Presley Harrison in that fourth inning. She struck out, but before that two for two start to this game, a home run and a double.

[01:27:46]>> And foul on that bunt.

[01:28:13]Super good guy.

[01:28:48]Emily Digby. No. Pulls off for Goodwin and Tennessee leaves one stranded.

[01:28:54]>> Going to the seventh inning and a last ch chance chance for these Georgia bats in game one of this super.