11 articles · Updated · University of Tennessee Athletics · May 28
Seventh-seeded Tennessee opened the Women’s College World Series with a 6-3 upset of No. 2 Texas, moving to the winners’ bracket and setting up a Saturday game against Texas Tech.
Elsa Morrison drove the breakthrough with a first-pitch, three-run homer in the second inning and finished 2-for-3 with 3 RBIs in her WCWS debut.
Sage Mardjetko held Texas to 1 hit over 4 scoreless innings for her 15th win, and Karlyn Pickens worked the final 3 innings for her seventh save.
Tennessee added runs on a wild pitch, a Gabby Leach RBI single and an Emma Clarke sacrifice fly, answering Texas rallies that included Leighann Goode’s two-run homer.
The Lady Vols improved to 48-10 and to 174-11 when scoring at least 3 runs since the start of the 2023 season.
Is freshman Sage Mardjetko the unexpected ace who can pitch Tennessee to a national title?
After a stunning upset, can defending champion Texas battle back from the brink of elimination?
How will hosting Olympic softball in 2028 impact the future of the Women's College World Series?