The Tennessee softball team huddled in a room separated from the dugout by just a few steps and a door.
And they remained there for more than 30 minutes.
They had some figuring out to do.
Circled, each player was given the chance to voice their opinion as to what happened Sunday afternoon.
What didn’t happen was easy enough to spot.
Hits were scarce. Pitching was sluggish. Alabama was dominant.
A day removed from an emotionally-charged, series-clinching victory over the defending national champion Crimson Tide, No. 8 Tennessee (21-4, 2-1 SEC) was throttled by No. 1 Alabama, 7-1 at Lee Stadium.
“I think we’re lucky we escaped with seven runs,” Tennessee co-head coach Ralph Weekly said. “They’re a good team.”
One of Weekly’s explanations for the drubbing was the exceptional outing from Alabama’s (23-3, 1-2 SEC) two-time All-American pitcher, Jackie Traina.
Traina brought a no-hitter into the sixth inning before a Kat Dotson chopper weaved through the infield.
Immediately following Dotson, Lauren Gibson grounded into a 6-3 double play on Traina’s first offering.
It was that kind of afternoon for the Lady Vols.
Dotson was hit by a pitch in the first inning and stole second. It was the only time a Tennessee runner reached scoring position.
The next two batters were set down on strikes.
“We came ready to play. We met last night and had a good meeting this morning,” Weekly said. “I just think we ran into a buzzsaw and didn’t respond to it.”
Traina struck out three, allowed just two hits and a walk during her complete-game performance.
While Traina was a stalwart, Tennessee had three different pitchers toe the circle. They combined to allow 11 hits and issued four walks.
Freshman Erin Gabriel started the contest and was tagged for six runs through her brief two innings of work.
Gabriel’s outing was spoiled by three consecutive infield singles to load the bases in the third inning, as Alabama cashed in to plate five runs.
Even though Gabriel was nicked, Weekly said the experience will be beneficial for both the freshman and the team down the road.
“Are we gonna be better in May because I started Erin there? Absolutely,” Weekly said. “Erin is a good pitcher and that was our thoughts.”
Sisters Ellen and Ivy Renfroe came on in relief and combined to surrender six hits and one earned run.
“Everything wasn’t firing on all cylinders, but we have to have each other’s backs,” Tennessee shortstop Madison Shipman said.
UT etched its lone run on a Shipman solo home run in the bottom of the seventh.
In a swing admittedly filled with frustration, Shipman turned on a pitch that didn’t reach its arch until it safely cleared the left field fence.
“Yeah, I guess it got to the point where I was a little frustrated with myself,” Shipman said. “Finally, I guess I over exaggerated my adjustment and it worked out pretty well.”
Riley Blevins is a freelance contributor.
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Comments » 18
SummittsCourt writes:
Not that big of a deal. Anyone one of us would have been happy to win one of three, delirious to win 2 of 3 before series began. The Lady Vols won 2 of 3 and now own the series edge and the tie breaker should it be needed.
As always, they'll bounce back after a loss.
Go Lady Vols!
soitgoes12 writes:
Except Weekley basically conceded this game. Alabama started their #1 pitcher... we started our #3.
SummittsCourt writes:
Alabama started their #2 yesterday. Sometimes you have to look into the future. A win would have been great no doubt, but this young pitcher will not get big game experience if she doesn't pitch in big games. It will pay off next year, maybe this year if one of the Renfro sisters gets injured.
springtx_vol writes:
I have no problem starting No 3 pitcher after sweeping the first two. In the big picture of things, one loss to Alabama will not be a negative at all when it comes playoff time. UT will go to the NCAA's. They will host the first round and have a very good chance to host the super regionals assuming they make it past the first round. Using Erin today may mean that she understands what is necessary if she HAS to pitch in the tourney.
BIVOLAR_BEARE writes:
Anytime you can win a series it's great, but to win against the defending NCAA champion (and hated rival) was priceless..Way to go LV's!!
AlexAndersonAAradio writes:
Erin did a nice job considering she was facing the best team and pitcher in the nation. She did better than I would have even expected. What got her in trouble was the bases getting loaded, with Alabama not even getting a hit past the pitchers mound. I don't see how you can expect any better for a freshman out of high school. She's going to be a good one.
volboy81 writes:
ABSOLUTELY!!! Wish we could have swept, but 2 out of 3 ain't bad! Way to go Lady Vols!! Now SWEEP FLORIDA this weekend!!!
blaz2102 writes:
The coaching reminded me of Les Miles coaching in the National Championship against Bama(confused, and nearly incompetent). As a coach to foster trust and confidence from your team in your coaching abilities you give your players every opprotunity to win every game. JMO but our coaches did not do that. I feel the players can sense that, especially if the fans can sense it. And they did. Bad decision and it was from the start. If you want a pitcher to gain experience thats what Fall ball is for and pre-season. Not against the #1 team in the nation. Coaches constantly ask and demand the players leave everything on the field. Coaches should be expected to do the same. You have to give your team a chance to win, or you will lose their trust and confidence quickly. A sweep would have provided us great momentum going into Florida series. I hope we didnt lose that momentum, but....it certainly took a hit with that performance yesterday, and it didnt have to happen. If the coaches would have "left it on the field" and the girls still lost.........then normally players can accept that. Its hard for them to accept poor coaching decisions and to not accept that responsibility. JMO
blaz2102 writes:
Ditto
cyclonevol87 writes:
Lady Vols win two of three and they dont put up a story till Alabama wins the last game.
Lizardgrad89 writes:
Well, as I always say, if you are going to dream, dream big. And dreaming of taking even ONE game from Florida, that's dreaming REALLY BIG.
You seem awful proud of your pair of one-run wins at home against Bama, but Florida went TO Bama and beat them by FOUR.
Florida is going to roll through the SEC and take the National title as well. And since their entire team is sophomores and freshmen, I'm thinking we are starting a dynasty.
bunker_hill#300251 writes:
The Gators can hit the ball, but who is going to pitch for them? Hannah Rogers is good, but not great to carry a team through the postseason.
bunker_hill#300251 writes:
Oh and I almost forgot.
1)Gators win over Bama doesn't even count technically conference wise since it wasn't scheduled by the conference.
2)Florida lost to Auburn this weekend, nice job there...
3)And lastly they don't have to play most of the top half of the league this year. Florida does not play Alabama, LSU, Texas A&M, and Missouri. Their toughest series are UGA, UT and UK.
voloffaith writes:
Read the 1:58pm post on the chomperettes....Aubieettes beat chomper girls so part of your prediction is swiss cheese with a hole or two for now. They may still win SEC since they will not play certain teams. Anyway, yes we are happy in beating elephantettes 2 of 3.
SummittsCourt writes:
Talk about delusional! Wow there lizard breath!
SummittsCourt writes:
You don't think anyone from Tennessee actually works there do you? This is how they have done it all year so far. The wins get the back burner, but the loses get front page. You have to to the title listing above and scroll on "other sports" and below it to the left is where the button for softball is.
voloffaith writes:
With a long season they wanted to give Erin a taste of SEC bigtime. She took a hit off her knee correct? Anyway they wanted that test out of the way early so she could get a measuring stick of how much improvement she would need to get to next level of pitching expertise. I wouldn't say they conceded game as probably didn't think she would get hit so hard and our hitting would be so anemic.
AlexAndersonAAradio writes:
I can see how it could had deflated the team with the Renfro sisters not starting the game. Those 2 girls have absolutely owned Alabama since they have been here.
Ralph looks at the big picture some time with these young pitchers. I remember in Ellen's freshmen year, Ralph pitched her over Ivy against #1 ranked UCLA, which didn't make any sense at the time, but she absolutely torched the Bruins that day and has been great every since. Ralph was hoping same thing would have happened to Erin yesterday. I don't think this is a decision contrary to what Ralph normally does with freshmen pitchers with potential. He's not worried about getting revenge for what happens in football and basketball, he wants to win the title in softball. I know the sisters are great but neither has led team to a championship, and neither played their best in post season. If that happens again this year maybe, Gabriel can suddenly become great like Ivy did in post season as a freshmen. Or maybe with Gabriel in the rotation the sisters will be more sharp this year in WCWS if they get there.
To Ralph it's a marathon and not a sprint. I wouldn't be surprised if Ralph throws Erin in game 3 again this weekend, especially if we win first two. The girl is really going to be great! She's very dedicated girl. I mean she's a softball junkie. You want a roster full of Erin Gabriel type personalities.
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