OKLAHOMA CITY - A familiar face was back on the field for the Tennessee softball team at Hall of Fame Stadium practices Wednesday afternoon.

India Chiles, who suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee in an NCAA Regional game May 19, took batting and fielding practice as UT prepared for tonight's game (TV: ESPN, 7 p.m.) with Texas A&M in the Women's College World Series.

"India has been partially cleared to play,'' said Ralph Weekly, who along with his wife, Karen, serves as co-head coach. "She can bat and play in the field. We timed our slap-hitters running to first (Wednesday), and she consistently timed 2.66 (seconds), fastest in the bunch.''

Weekly said he won't start Chiles in left field, but indicated she could see action as a pinch-hitter.

That would be fine with Chiles, a senior who said she thought she might still be on crutches at this stage of her rehabilitation.

"I'm a little surprised where it (the injury) is at, but we've been rehabilitating it a ton,'' said Chiles, the SEC player of the year and the league's batting champ with a .466 batting average.

"This brace I'm wearing is pretty sturdy. Don't be surprised if I'm out there at some point.''

Weekly said if Chiles plays against the Aggies (46-12), he would need to pinch run for her in the event she reaches base.

"I've never seen anything like this,'' Weekly said. "This is tremendously inspirational to the team. Heck, it's inspirational to me.''

The Lady Vols (59-6) are making their third consecutive Women's College World Series appearances, finishing third in each of their past two trips.

Tennessee has struggled to fill Chiles' void since the injury, as two-time All-American Lindsay Schutzler is 4-for-13 batting in the leadoff spot since replacing Chiles.

Senior and three-time All-American pitcher Monica Abbott (46-3) has remained steady, however, and will get the start tonight.

Abbott said she felt honored to be named USA Softball's Player of the Year at a Tuesday night ceremony in Oklahoma City.

"I thought I might have a chance, but I still felt shock,'' Abbott said. "It's an incredible award. I'm glad to represent the University of Tennessee in this way, but the season isn't over.''

Texas A&M coach Jo Evans said it has been hard to get her team ready for a 6-foot-3 pitcher like Abbott.

"Monica is a tall left-hander like we saw for too many years in the Big 12 in Cat Osterman,'' Evans said. "The difference is Monica throws much harder and throws it up, where Cat has such great movement and keeps the ball down.

"It's not easy to simulate, but you get your machine cranked up a bit, and you throw your live batting practice closer to get them the feel of that kind of speed. But Abbott is one of a kind.''