Late-show heroics: Lauren Gibson powers Lady Vols into championship game

Ralph Weekly on Tennessee's win over Georgia Tech

Tennessee still has a puncher’s chance in the NCAA tournament.

Lauren Gibson helped insure that the Lady Vols lived to fight another day at the Knoxville Regional, slugging a pair of home runs and driving in six runs in a 7-0 softball victory over Georgia Tech on Saturday night before a crowd of 1,649 at Lee Stadium.

Tennessee (49-11) claimed a spot in Sunday’s championship game against Oklahoma State at 2 p.m. and reclaimed its motto.

The Cowgirls stole UT’s thunder in the day’s first game. They chipped away with a pair of early runs and finished with a flourish for a 6-1 victory.

“Our motto was ‘throw punches,’ ” Lady Vols co-head coach Ralph Weekly said after the loss. “We absorbed a lot today. We took a lot of punches.”

Gibson struck back in the first inning against Georgia Tech (45-12), which had survived with a 4-3 victory over Liberty. She slugged a three-run homer deep over the right-field fence, wasting the roof of a portable toilet.

The homer was preceded by some good fortune. Kat Dotson loaded the bases with a single, but her bloop fly ball nearly was caught by diving Tech left fielder Danielle Dike. Then, with two outs and a run in, Gibson was swinging with a two-strike count when she hit her homer for a 4-0 lead.

Gibson struck again in the third, pounding the ball off the left-field scoreboard. She drove in Jessica Spigner, who led off with a walk.

Gibson dialed up her power by dialing down her expectations.

“I went in thinking, ‘Just get a hit, try to get the ball in

play,’ ’’ she said, “instead of trying to hit the crap out of it.”

Starter Ivy Renfroe (19-4) went the distance, allowing two hits and striking out 10.

The fast start was as beneficial for UT as Oklahoma State scored in each of the first two innings against the Lady Vols in the day’s first game.

“I think (the early runs) gave us some momentum we were able to hold the whole game,” Oklahoma State coach Rich Wieligman said.

Alysia Hamilton had three hits, including a solo homer, and drove in three runs. Starting pitcher Kat Espinosa (22-7) went six-plus innings, allowing seven of UT’s nine UT hits.

After advancing to the championship game and moving within one victory of the super-regional round, the Cowgirls adjourned to air-conditioned comfort. Not only did they overcome UT, they beat the heat.

“It’s hot out there,’’ Wieligman said.

With victories over UT and Georgia Tech, the Cowgirls definitely are in a good place. Wieligman likely will keep telling his players: “Enjoy the crowd and enjoy the atmosphere. Have fun.”

For Tennessee, on the other hand, its fourth home loss of the season was no fun at all.

“We were trying to be upbeat, but I didn’t feel the energy there,’’ third baseman Raven Chavanne said. “Against a team as good as Oklahoma State, you have to be ready to go from the very beginning.”

UT freshman starter Ellen Renfroe (26-6) was charged with all six Oklahoma runs. The SEC tournament MVP allowed eight hits and issued six walks.

“I had a hard time getting in a groove today,’’ Renfroe said. “It happens. I’m not going to be perfect every game, but you know I’ve got to find a way to make it work.”

Despite the difference in the two Renfroes, Weekly was non-committal about today’s starting pitcher, saying “we’ll use any and all available arms.”

With Texas losing twice and being eliminated at their regional, the Lady Vols have a chance to host a super regional. But only if they beat Oklahoma State twice and survive another long day.

“The big game is the first game,’’ Weekly said. “The second game puts the pressure on the team that came in only needing to win one.”

At least they’ve given themselves a chance.