Lady Vols start fast against Ohio

The first home game of the University of Tennessee's softball season brought the same result as the past 10 home openers - a victory.

UT defeated Ohio University 6-0 at Lee Softball Stadium on Friday night behind sophomore pitcher Cat Hosfield's complete game.

Despite the win, coaches felt the Lady Vols (9-5) could have played better.

"At this point in the season it's real important that we're playing well," Lady Vols co-head coach Karen Weekly said. "I don't think we played particularly well tonight, and I'm not real happy with the energy level we brought to the field."

The trouble for the Lady Bobcats started early as UT scored four runs in the first inning. OU starter Emily Wethington (3-3), who entered the game with a 1.41 ERA, left after allowing four walks, four hits and five runs (three earned) in three innings.

Wethington and Melissa Bonner allowed 17 total baserunners (eight hits, eight walks and one hit batter).

The Lady Vols stole six bases after collecting only 19 their first 12 games.

While the Lady Bobcats (4-10) had pitching troubles, UT got a stellar performance from Hosfield (5-3). The right-hander allowed three hits and three walks.

"There's a rhythm to pitching, and I'm working on making that rhythm consistent," Hosfield said. "There were times where I got runners on base, and my defense kept them from scoring."

The coaches saw areas in which Hosfield needed improvement.

"Cat's performance was at times really good, and then at times she lost a little focus out there," Weekly said. "That's the challenge for her is to stay focused for seven innings. We put way too many leadoff runners on base. You will not survive very long putting five leadoff batters on base in seven innings."

Senior catcher/first baseman Tiffany Huff had her 10-game hitting streak snapped.

The Lady Vols will play a doubleheader today against No. 13 Texas at 4 p.m. and Illinois State at 6:30

Chris Martin is a freelance contributor.