STARKVILLE, Miss. – The fourth-ranked Lady Vols fell 9-1 Friday night at Nusz Park to No. 16 Mississippi State in five innings.
MSU (29-10, 9-7 SEC) strung back-to-back three-run innings together in the second and third en route to the series-opening win.
State scored once in the first and one run in the fourth before adding a final run in the fifth.
Tennessee (30-7, 10-3 SEC) opened the game with a run in the first. Graduate Kiki Milloy returned to the lineup after missing all three games last weekend and drew a leadoff walk to open the first frame.
After two groundouts advanced Milloy to third, senior Rylie West knocked a single through the left side of the infield to plate Milloy.
Aspen Wesley held Tennessee’s bats in check throughout the night, scattering two hits over seven innings of work. The right-hander tossed a complete game with four walks and four strikeouts. Wesley is 11-3 on the year.
The Lady Vols started Karlyn Pickens in the circle. She tossed two innings, allowing five runs – four earned – on five hits, a walk and three strikeouts. Pickens suffered the loss – her fourth of the season.
Charli Orsini replaced Pickens in the third – allowing two runs – one earned – on two hits. Orsini was lifted to start the fourth inning for Ryleigh White.
White finished the game, giving up two runs – one earned – on two hits. The senior walked a pair of batters.
UP NEXT
Tennessee and Mississippi State are back for game two of the series on Saturday with a first pitch time of 3:30 p.m. ET. Saturday is All for Alex Day with teams around the SEC wearing teal in remembrance of Alex Wilcox.
