Outfield
Rounding out the Lady Vols softball position previews are the outfielders – a group of grit, finesse and experience. The mainstays of the outfield all have at least one year of experience under their belt, which should benefit No. 23/24 Tennessee as it looks to make a statement early on.
The outfield is headlined by senior Amanda Ayala (Bloomfield, N.J.), who returns as UT’s hits and RBI leader. She topped the Lady Vols’ ledger with 27 hits, bringing in 18 runners. The shortened 2020 season was enough time for Ayala to have her much-anticipated breakout year. She finished with a career high .386 hitting clip, 19 runs, six doubles – all top three on the team.
“Amanda has started the most games of any of our outfielders,” said co-head coach Ralph Weekly. “When our season ended last year, she was in our top three in almost every offensive category and having that breakout season we’ve expected since we recruited her.
“She will hit lead-off for us and is really embracing the role of igniting our offense. It’s been fun to watch her play with so much confidence and ownership this fall.”
Settling into a leading role is sophomore Kiki Milloy (Woodinville, Wash.) who had a hot start to her collegiate career going yard in her first at bat last season. She is believed to be the first freshman to do so since at least 2012.
Milloy appeared in all 23 games as a freshman, making 19 starts. Despite some inconsistency at the plate she added 13 runs and 11 hits to the charts and returns as the lead base stealer (9) for Tennessee.
“Kiki is one of the fastest players on our team,” Weekly said. “She has great adjustability and closing speed on tough balls. It’s rare to have an athlete with her combination of speed and power. She is also a terrific leader and was elected captain by her teammates in just her sophomore year.”
The Orange and White will also benefit from the experience and acumen of graduate seniors Cailin Hannon (Franklin, Tenn.) and Treasuary Poindexter (Covington, Tenn.), who opted to return for the extra season granted by the NCAA after the 2020 season was truncated due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Hannon impressed last season and found herself in the starting lineup on 18 occasions. She finished with a .296 batting average – a career best, 16 hits, six runs and 11 RBI.
“Cailin is a veteran who is a great success story,” said Weekly. “She played sparingly her first two years and worked her tail off to earn a starting position her junior season. She is a great communicator in the outfield and one of the most competitive players on our squad. Everyone in our program benefits from her grit and experience.”
Poindexter, who is a situational player for UT, has a penchant for base running and despite her small frame has one of the strongest arms on the team. She added six runs and pilfered four bags in 17 appearances in 2020 and while the numbers are unassuming, she plays a pivotal role for the Lady Vols.
“We were so excited when Treasuary decided to return for her fifth year,” Weekly said. “She is an explosive player on both offense and defense. She can change a game with her speed whether stealing bases or running down balls in the outfield.
“Her impact may not always show up in the stat sheet, but everyone in our program knows how valuable she is.”
Sophomore Amanda Curran (The Woodlands, Texas) made eight appearances stepping in to pinch hit or pinch run for UT last season. She is expected to fill a similar role this season.
“Amanda may see time in the DP spot as well as provide a big bat in a pinch-hitting role,” Weekly said. “She has tremendous power and a great mentality for pinch hitting, which is arguably the hardest thing to do in sports. She is the ultimate teammate – incredibly selfless and always brings so much positive energy.”
The outfield may also get some assistance from sophomores Maddie Webber and KK McCrary and freshman Rylie West.
The Lady Vols open the 2021 season this Friday at the Kickin’ Chicken Classic in Conway, S.C., against Ohio at 9:30 a.m. ET.
-UT Athletics
