Lady Vols ‘super’ in Series clincher

Posted: Wednesday, May 30, 2012 7:00 pm

KNOXVILLE — It’s back to the Women’s College World Series for the fifth time in program history for Tennessee (52-12) as the Lady Vols fought off a stern challenge from Georgia (45-17) on Sunday afternoon at the Lee Softball Stadium to advance back to Oklahoma City, Okla., with a thrilling 2-1 victory.
UT is scheduled to start the WCWS against Alabama 6 p.m. Thursday on ESPN2.
The Big Orange has now successfully advanced in all five of its visits to the NCAA Super Regionals, possessing a 10-3 overall record.
Senior designated player Shelby Burchell was 1-for-3 with a vital RBI, while junior right fielder Kat Dotson was 1-for-2 with a double and the sacrifice fly that plated the winning tally. Junior third baseman Raven Chavanne posted a team-best two hits in three at-bats and scored a run, while junior second baseman Lauren Gibson was 1-for-2 with a run.
Junior pitcher Ivy Renfroe continued her incredible roll, allowing one run on three hits with two walks and six strikeouts while picking up her 25th victory of the season. It marked her 20th win over her last 22 decisions in the circle dating back to March 21.
“First of all, I’m very excited, and I’m very proud,” Lady Vol co-head coach Ralph Weekly said. “We’ve played five games against Georgia, and four of them have been one-run games.”
Chavanne got the crucial UT attack started with an infield single starting the top of the sixth.
Gibson followed with an infield base knock, but made her best contribution on the base paths.
Sophomore shortstop Madison Shipman hit a bouncer to second that was fielded on a hop by Ashley Pauly. The Bulldog fielder reached in an attempt to tag Gibson as she went by and did so with an empty glove while holding the ball in her opposite hand. That allowed Shipman to reach via fielder’s choice and loaded the bases full of Lady Vols.
Faced with a clutch situation as a senior with a chance to continue her career, Burchell delivered with a bloop RBI single as Chavanne raced home, dead-locking the count at 1-1. Dotson lifted a fly ball deep enough to plate Gibson as Tennessee managed its first Sunday lead at 2-1. Published in The WCP 5.29.12