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A two-run first-inning home run by Meghan Gregg would be all the offense Tennessee needed as the No. 8 overall seeded Lady Vols defeated Utah 3-1 in Sunday’s Regional final.
Winning pitcher Erin Gabriel allowed only one run on two hits in four innings, despite an hour-long rain delay in the second inning.
Rainey Gaffin came on in the fifth inning and pitched three scoreless innings in relief, striking out six.
“Our motto all year has been to be relentless and to be tough, and today was a tough win,” co-coach Karen Weekly said after the game. “It wasn’t pretty. We left a lot of runners on base, but we gutted it out when we needed to.”
“Ralph’s move — the timing of his move — to bring Rainey in and make that relief move was just spot on. I think that was a big key to the game.”
Tennessee football coach Butch Jones was in attendance supporting the team. He lasted the entire game, rain delay and all, according to Weekly.
How cool is it that @UTCoachJones attends entire @LadyVol_Sftball game today, to include a 1-hour rain delay? 👍🏼#OneTennessee #GBO
— Karen Weekly (@KarenWeekly) May 18, 2015
Tennessee (45-14) will host No. 9 Florida State (48-12) in the NCAA Super Regional from May 21-22 at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium. Game 1 of that series will begin on Thursday at 7 p.m. on ESPNU.
The Lady Vols are 3-0 all time against the Seminoles.
Lady Vols Regional final highlights
Forum discussion: Game Thread Lady Vols Softball NCAA Regionals [/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]