Lady Vols Stay Hot with Doubleheader Sweep at NFCA Leadoff Classic
Tennessee’s 2026 campaign is off to a roaring start, and Friday’s doubleheader in Clearwater only added fuel to the fire. The Lady Vols handled business against Liberty and Rutgers, picking up two more wins in convincing fashion at the NFCA Leadoff Classic.
Game One: Tennessee 6, Liberty 1
Liberty managed to strike first with a Savannah Jessee RBI single off Karlyn Pickens, but that lead didn’t last long. Tennessee responded immediately, with Elsa Morrison driving in Sophia Knight on a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the first to even the score.
From there, it was all Lady Vols.
The turning point came in the fourth inning, when Emma Clarke and Taelyn Holley launched back-to-back home runs, flipping the game on its head and giving Tennessee a lead they wouldn’t give back.
Pickens, the staff ace, was in control from start to finish. She went the distance, striking out 13 and keeping Liberty’s offense in check after that early blip. It was the kind of dominant outing that sets the tone for a weekend - and a season.
Game Two: Tennessee 8, Rutgers 0 (5 innings)
Game two was over almost as soon as it started.
The Lady Vols exploded for six runs in the bottom of the first inning, overwhelming Rutgers before the Scarlet Knights could settle in. Sophia Knight was the spark plug once again, going a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate and setting the tempo from the top of the order.
Pitching-wise, it was Erin Nuwer who took the reins in relief and kept things airtight. She tossed 2.2 scoreless innings and still hasn’t allowed a hit this season - a stat that’s starting to raise eyebrows early in the year.
With the offense firing on all cylinders and the pitching staff dealing, Tennessee wrapped up the run-rule victory in just five innings.
What’s Next
Tennessee closes out its opening weekend in Clearwater with a Saturday doubleheader against Boston College and Oregon. If the Lady Vols keep playing like this - aggressive at the plate, sharp in the circle, and confident in every phase - they’ll be a tough out for anyone they face.