VFL TODD HELTON HEADED TO COOPERSTOWN

VFL TODD HELTON HEADED TO COOPERSTOWN

Courtesy / UT Athletics

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee baseball legend Todd Helton is headed to Cooperstown after being selected for induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, as revealed by the MLB Network on Tuesday evening.

In his sixth year eligible for selection, Helton appeared on 79.7 percent of the ballots from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, surpassing the 75 percent threshold. He becomes just the second player in Southeastern Conference history to be voted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, joining Auburn’s Frank Thomas (2014).

Selected with the eighth overall pick in the 1995 Major League Baseball Draft by Colorado, Helton spent his entire 17-year Major League career with the Rockies and is still the franchise leader in games played (2,247), runs scored (1,401), hits (2,519), doubles (592), home runs (369), RBI (1,406), total bases (4,292) and walks (1,335).

Helton was a five-time MLB All-Star (2000-04), four-time Sliver Slugger award winner (2000-03), three-time Gold Glove winner (2001, 2002, 2004) and won the National League batting title in 2000. He also helped lead the Rockies to their first and only World Series appearance in franchise history in 2007. Helton joins Larry Walker as the second Rockies’ player to be enshrined in Cooperstown.

Already a member of the Tennessee Baseball Hall of Fame (Class of 2008), the Tennessee Athletics Hall of Fame (Class of 2017) and the National College Baseball Hall of Fame (Class of 2021), Helton had arguably the most decorated and dominant career of any player in program history and is still considered one of the greatest two-way players to ever play at the collegiate level.

During his time on Rocky Top, Helton was a standout performer at the plate and on the mound, setting numerous program records during his storied career. The Knoxville native still sits atop UT’s record book in career RBI (238), walks (147) and saves (23). He also holds single-season records for runs batted in (92 in 1995), earned run average (0.89 in 1994) and saves (12 in 1995).

Helton earned a multitude of national awards and accolades during his three seasons on Rocky Top, including winning the 1995 Dick Howser Trophy and earning National Player of the Year honors by the American Baseball Coaches Association, Baseball America and Collegiate Baseball Newspaper. Helton was also named the 1995 SEC Player of the Year, a two-time first-team All-American (1994 & 1995) and a Freshman All-American (1993).

In his final season at UT, Helton helped lead the Volunteers to 1995 SEC regular season and tournament titles, as well as their first Men’s College World Series appearance in 44 years.

“What Todd Helton did for the Colorado Rockies organization is nothing short of legendary,” Tennessee baseball head coach Tony Vitello said. “Nonetheless, folks here think just as highly of all he has accomplished in our great state. What he has done in this community prior to, during and after his time on Rocky Top may never be duplicated.

“He went from being a local superstar in high school to being a hometown representative for the University of Tennessee here in Knoxville. As many I’m sure have mentioned, he was not just a two-way standout on the baseball field but also a legit two-sport athlete. Athleticism helped create those opportunities, but extreme competitiveness helped fuel his success. Ever since his days of success in Major League Baseball have concluded, he has given back to UT in every way you can possibly imagine. He truly deserves every bit of love he receives from Vol Nation.”

The official induction ceremony for the 2024 Hall of Fame selections will take place in Cooperstown, New York on July 21.

For more information on Helton’s Hall of Fame selection and this year’s National Baseball Hall of Fame Class, click HERE.

Courtesy / UT Athletics
Basketball Game vs. Alabama an “Orange Out”

Basketball Game vs. Alabama an “Orange Out”

Courtesy / UT Athletics

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee announced Wednesday that its men’s basketball game today against Alabama will be dubbed an “Orange Out.”

Fans are encouraged to arrive early and wear orange Tennessee attire to Food City Center for the matchup. Doors to the arena open at 12:30 p.m. and tip-off is set for 2 p.m.

In addition, the first 2,000 students in attendance will receive an “Orange Out” shirt for the matchup between a pair of teams in the top seven nationally in NET, KenPom, ESPN BPI and BartTorvik metrics rankings.

The contest between No. 6/7 Tennessee (13-4, 3-1 SEC) and Alabama (12-5, 4-0 SEC) is sold out and will be televised live on ESPN2. It is the third of six confirmed sellouts at Food City Center this season, a new venue record for the Volunteers.

Limited tickets are still available for just three remaining home games. Fans can buy their seats for the Jan. 30 contest against South Carolina HERE, the Feb. 7 outing versus LSU HERE and the Feb. 17 meeting with Vanderbilt HERE.

To keep up with the University of Tennessee men’s basketball team on social media, follow @Vol_Hoops on Instagram and X/Twitter, as well as /tennesseebasketball on Facebook.

Courtesy / UT Athletics

107.7 WIVK – General Contest Rules

OFFICIAL RULES

FOR CUMULUS RADIO STATIONS CONTEST & SWEEPSTAKES

A complete copy of these rules can be obtained at the offices of any radio station owned and/or operated by Cumulus Media Holdings Inc. (“Sponsor”) during normal business hours Monday through Friday or by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to 3280 Peachtree Road, Suite 2300, Atlanta, GA 30305, Attn: Legal Department.

Sponsor will conduct all Cumulus radio station contests and sweepstakes (“Contests” and “Sweepstakes”), including on-air contests, online and text-based sweepstakes, and contests and sweepstakes conducted through a Cumulus radio station’s social media accounts (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, etc.), substantially as described in these rules, and by participating, each participant agrees as follows:

  1. No purchase is necessary. Void where prohibited.  All federal, state, and local regulations apply.
    Eligibility.
      This Contest is open only to legal U.S. residents age eighteen (18) years or older at the time of entry with a valid Social Security number and who reside in the Station’s Designated Market Area (“DMA”) as defined by Nielsen Audio, who have not won a prize from the station in the last 90 days or a prize valued at $500 or more in the last 180 days, and whose immediate family members or household members have not won a prize from the station in the last 90 days or a prize valued at $500 or more in the last 180 days.   Void where prohibited by law.  Individuals age 13 to 17 may be eligible to participate in Contests and Sweepstakes with the approval of a parent or legal guardian, provided that the parent or legal guardian is a legal U.S. resident at least 18 years of age at the time of entry with a valid Social Security number and resides in the Cumulus radio station’s listening area. Unless otherwise specified, Employees of Cumulus Media Holdings Inc., its parent company, affiliates, related entities and subsidiaries, promotional sponsors, prize providers, advertising agencies, other radio stations serving the Station’s DMA, and the immediate family members and household members of all such employees are not eligible to participate. The term “immediate family members” includes spouses, parents and step-parents, siblings and step-siblings, and children and stepchildren.  The term “household members” refers to people who share the same residence at least three (3) months out of the year. The Contest is subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations. Participation constitutes entrant’s full and unconditional agreement to these Official Rules and Sponsor’s decisions, which are final and binding in all matters related to the Contest. Winning a prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth herein.
  2. Contest or Sweepstakes Period. The Contest or Sweepstake will begin and end at the times specified by Sponsor.  Sponsor’s computer is the official time keeping device for all Contests and Sweepstakes.
  3. How to Enter. Entry methods for Contest and Sweepstakes will be specified by Sponsor and entries must be received during the Contest or Sweepstakes Period to be eligible. Use of any automated system to participate is prohibited and will result in disqualification.  Sponsor shall not be responsible for lost, late, incomplete, invalid, unintelligible, inappropriate or misdirected entries, all of which will be disqualified.  In the event of a dispute as to any entry, the authorized account holder of the email address or telephone number used to enter will be deemed to be the participant. The “authorized account holder” is the natural person assigned the telephone number by the wireless carrier or an email address by an Internet access provider, online service provider or other organization responsible for assigning email addresses for the domain associated with the submitted address.  Potential winner may be required to show proof of being the authorized account holder. All entries become the sole and exclusive property of Sponsor and will not be returned.  Sponsor reserves the right to contact entrants and all other individuals whose email address is submitted as part of a Contest or Sweepstakes.  Time Delay Between Over-the-Air Analog Signal and Other Signal DeliveryDue to the time delay that exists between a Cumulus radio station’s analog over-the-air signal and its online webcast, listeners who listen to a Cumulus radio station online may hear Contest or Sweepstakes information or a cue to call later than listeners listening to the station’s analog over-the-air signal. As a result, the odds of an online listener winning a Contest Sweepstakes may be diminished
  4. Winner Selection. Contest and Sweepstakes winners will be determined according to the method specified by Sponsor at Sponsor’s sole and exclusive discretion.  The winning entrant will be contacted using the email address and/or telephone number provided with the entry and may be awarded the prize (subject to verification of eligibility and compliance with the terms of these rules or the specific Contest or Sweepstakes rules).  Sponsor’s decisions as to the administration and operation of Contests and Sweepstakes and the selection of potential winners is final and binding in all matters related to the Contest or Sweepstakes. Failure to respond to the initial verification contact within three (3) days of notification will result in disqualification.
  5. Verification of Potential Winner. POTENTIAL CONTEST AND SWEEPSTAKES WINNERS ARE SUBJECT TO VERIFICATION BY SPONSOR WHOSE DECISIONS ARE FINAL AND BINDING IN ALL MATTERS RELATED TO THE CONTEST OR SWEEPSTAKES. The potential winner must continue to comply with all terms and conditions of these Official Rules and/or the Office Rules of the specific Contest or Sweepstakes, and winning is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements. The potential winner will be notified by email and/or telephone call, after the date of random drawing. The potential winner will be required to sign and return to sponsor, within three (3) days of the date notice is sent, an affidavit of eligibility and a liability/publicity release (except where prohibited) in order to claim his/her prize, if applicable.  A winner who returns the affidavit of eligibility and liability/publicity release within the required time period will be deemed to have accepted the prize and thereafter will not be permitted to rescind their acceptance of the prize and/or return the prize.  If a potential winner cannot be contacted, fails to sign and return the affidavit of eligibility and/or the liability/publicity release within the required time period (if applicable), or if the prize or prize notification is returned as undeliverable, potential winner forfeits prize. In the event that the potential winner of a contest or sweepstakes prize is disqualified for any reason, Sponsor may award the applicable prize to an alternate winner by random drawing from among all remaining eligible entries.
  6.  Prizes. Contest and Sweepstakes prizes will be as specified by Sponsor.  Winner is responsible for all taxes associated with prize receipt and/or use.  Odds of winning a Contest or Sweepstakes prize depend on a number of factors, including but not limited to the number of eligible entries received by Sponsor during the Contest or Sweepstakes Period and the number of listeners participating at any given time.  Sponsor reserves the right to substitute any listed prize for one of equal or greater value for any reason.  For prizes that involve travel, unless otherwise specified, trips must be taken within the stated time periods or will be forfeited, winner and guest must travel on the same itinerary, and winner’s guest must be eighteen (18) years of age or older.  Trips are non-transferable and no substitution will be made except as provided at the Sponsor’s sole discretion.
  7. Entry Conditions and Release. By entering a Contest or Sweepstakes, each participant agrees to: (a) comply with and be bound by these Official Rules, the Office Rules of the specific Contest or Sweepstakes, and the decisions of Sponsor, which are binding and final in all matters relating to any Contest or Sweepstakes; (b) release and hold harmless Sponsor, Cumulus Media Inc., and its subsidiaries, related and affiliated companies, participating sponsors, the prize suppliers and any other organizations responsible for sponsoring, fulfilling, administering, advertising or promoting the Contest or Sweepstakes, and each of their respective past and present officers, directors, employees, agents and representatives (collectively, the “Released Parties”) from and against any and all claims, expenses, and liability, including but not limited to negligence and damages of any kind to persons and property, including but not limited to invasion of privacy (under appropriation, intrusion, public disclosure of private facts, false light in the public eye or other legal theory), defamation, slander, libel, violation of right of publicity, infringement of trademark, copyright or other intellectual property rights, property damage, or death or personal injury arising out of or relating to a participant’s entry, creation of an entry or submission of an entry, participation in a Contest or Sweepstakes, acceptance or use or misuse of prize (including any travel or activity related thereto) and/or the broadcast, exploitation or use of entry; and (c) indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Released Parties from and against any and all claims, expenses, and liabilities (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of or relating to an entrant’s participation in the Contest or Sweepstakes and/or entrant’s acceptance, use, non-use or misuse of the prize.
  8. Publicity. Except where prohibited, participation in a Contest or Sweepstakes constitutes winner’s consent to Sponsor’s and its agents’ use of winner’s name, likeness, photograph, voice, opinions and/or hometown and state for promotional purposes in any media, worldwide, without further payment or consideration, unless otherwise prohibited by law.
  9. Taxes. All State, Local, Federal and or other taxes, duties, tariffs, title fees, licensing fees, or other fees for prizes awarded in any Contest or Sweepstakes become the sole responsibility of the winner.  All those who win a prize or prizes valued $600 or more in any given year will be issued an IRS Form 1099 to report their winnings.
  10. General Conditions. Sponsor reserves the right to cancel, suspend and/or modify any Contest or Sweepstakes, or any part of it, if any fraud, technical failures or any other factor beyond Sponsor’s reasonable control impairs the integrity or proper functioning of the Contest or Sweepstakes, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion. Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any individual it finds to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Contest or Sweepstakes or to be acting in violation of these Official Rules or any other promotion or in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner. Any attempt by any person to deliberately undermine the legitimate operation of a Contest or Sweepstakes may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. Sponsor’s failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision.
  11. Limitations of Liability. The Released Parties are not responsible for: (1) any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by entrants, printing errors or by any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Contest or Sweepstakes; (2) technical failures of any kind, including but not limited to malfunctions, interruptions, or disconnections in phone lines or network hardware or software; (3) unauthorized human intervention in any part of the entry process or the Contest or Sweepstakes; (4) technical or human error which may occur in the administration of the Contest or Sweepstakes or the processing of entries; or (5) any injury or damage to persons or property which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from entrant’s participation in the Contest or Sweepstakes or receipt or use, non-use or misuse of any prize. If for any reason an entrant’s entry is confirmed to have been erroneously deleted, lost, or otherwise destroyed or corrupted, entrant’s sole remedy is another entry in the Contest or Sweepstakes, provided that if it is not possible to award another entry due to discontinuance or completion of the Contest or Sweepstakes, or any part of it, for any reason, Sponsor, at its discretion, may elect to hold a random drawing from among all eligible entries received up to the date of discontinuance for any or all of the prizes offered herein. No more than the stated number of prizes will be awarded. In event that production, technical, programming or any other reason causes more than stated number of prizes as set forth in these Official Rules to be available or claimed, Sponsor reserves the right to award only the stated number of prizes by a random drawing among all legitimate, unawarded, eligible prize claims.
  12. Disputes. Entrant agrees that: (i) any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of or connected with a Contest or Sweepstakes, or any prizes awarded, other than those concerning the administration of the Contest or Sweepstakes or the determination of the winner, shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action; (ii) any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of or connected with a Contest or Sweepstakes, or any prizes awarded, shall be resolved exclusively by the United States District Court or the appropriate state court located in the entrant’s Cumulus radio station’s listening area; (iii) any and all claims, judgments and awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred, including costs associated with entering a Contest or Sweepstakes, but in no event attorneys’ fees; and (iv) under no circumstances will entrant be permitted to obtain awards for, and entrant hereby waives all rights to claim punitive, incidental and consequential damages and any other damages, other than for actual out-of-pocket expenses, and any and all rights to have damages multiplied or otherwise increased. SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, or the rights and obligations of entrant and Sponsor in connection with the Contest or Sweepstakes, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the state in which the entrant’s Cumulus radio station is located, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules (whether of the state in which the entrant’s Cumulus radio station is located or any other jurisdiction), which would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the state in which the entrant’s Cumulus radio station is located.
  13. Entrant’s Personal Information. Information collected from entrants is subject to Sponsor’s Privacy Policy, which is available on every Cumulus radio station’s website under the “Privacy Policy” link. All entry blanks, forms, devices, and materials gathered during the course of entry, as well as all information contained on or within, shall become the sole property of Sponsor to be used, disposed of or destroyed in its sole discretion. Sponsor is not responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information entered by website users, and assumes no responsibility for any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission, communications line failure, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to a Cumulus radio station website.
  14. Sweepstakes Results. A winners list may be obtained thirty (30) days after the conclusion of a Contest or Sweepstakes by sending a self-addressed stamped envelope to the Sweepstakes Sponsor identified below.

SWEEPSTAKES SPONSOR: CUMULUS MEDIA HOLDINGS, INC., 3280 Peachtree Road, Suite 2300, Atlanta, GA 30305, Attn: Contests and Sweepstakes.

Girl Scout Cookies Drive Thru This Weekend!

Girl Scout Cookies Drive Thru This Weekend!

You have a second chance to stock up on Girl Scout Cookies THIS WEEKEND!

Girl Scouts will be set up Friday May 2nd 10am-4pm and Saturday May 3rd 10am-3pm at Downtown West Shopping Center!

That’s 1567 Downtown W Blvd, Knoxville, TN 37919 this weekend!

Train Hits, Kills Man on Tracks in North Knoxville

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) A man died over the weekend after a train hit him in North Knoxville.

Knoxville Police Department officials say officers responded to the train tracks near Radford Place and North Central Street around 11:40 a.m. on Sunday where Norfolk Southern train operators reported they saw a man standing on the tracks.

Operators say despite blowing the train’s horn multiple times, the man did not move out of the way, and the train hit him.

The victim has not yet been identified.

Knoxville police say the train blew its horn multiple times after seeing the man, but he did not move off the tracks. (Courtesy: KPD)
Knoxville Man Facing Charges after Search Finds Drugs, Weapons

Knoxville Man Facing Charges after Search Finds Drugs, Weapons

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Multiple firearms as well as suspected meth and heroin are seized following a search warrant that was conducted at a northeast Knoxville home.

Fifty-nine year old David Prins was arrested following a search of his Gillespie Avenue home last Thursday by Knoxville Police who found and seized about 21 grams of suspected meth, over three grams of suspected heroin and fentanyl, two handguns and three rifles.

Suspected stolen property was also found at the home, including a Harley-Davidson motorcycle and a trailer.

Prins was arrested and charged with convicted felon in possession of a weapon, manufacture, delivery and sale of meth and theft of property among other charges.

David Prins was being investigated by the department’s organized crime unit leading up to the search, according to Knoxville Police Department officials. (Courtesy: JIMS)
City of Morristown Installs New Cameras to Improve ‘Feeling of Safety Shopping Downtown’

City of Morristown Installs New Cameras to Improve ‘Feeling of Safety Shopping Downtown’

Morristown, TN (WOKI) Morristown now has a system of cameras in the downtown area to address residents’ concerns.

The city says it has an annual survey to get feedback from the community on what it’s doing well and what can be improved, and officials recently noticed a decline in the “feeling of safety shopping downtown.”

The Morristown Police Department acquired and installed three new fixed cameras that will help monitor crowds at downtown events.

They hope this will help bring a sense of safety to those living in and visiting the downtown area.

TDOT Reminding Motorists About Lane Closures on I-75 in Campbell County
WVLT

TDOT Reminding Motorists About Lane Closures on I-75 in Campbell County

Motorists traveling on I-75 in Campbell County should be aware of bridge repair work that will have a significant impact on traffic.

I-75 is reduced to one lane in each direction at mile marker 133, near Exit 134 for Caryville/Jacksboro/LaFollette.

These lane closures will be in place 24/7 and will allow crews to perform substructure and deck repairs to the bridges over Better Chanee Road and the R.J. Corman Railroad.

All bridge work is expected to be complete on or before May 25th.

Knox County Residents Get a Chance to Visit the Observation Deck in the Sunsphere Free
WVLT drone

Knox County Residents Get a Chance to Visit the Observation Deck in the Sunsphere Free

Visit Knoxville says Knox County residents can enjoy free local Sunsphere days from May through October.

Those with a physical copy of their Knox County driver’s license can visit the observation deck on the fourth floor for free on the following dates:

May 2

June 6

August 1

September 5

October 3

Officials with Visit Knoxville say the observation deck allows up to 40 people every 30 minutes, meaning space is limited and admission is on a first come, first serve basis. Because of this, it will be open an hour later, until 6 p.m., for an additional hour of enjoyment.

The Sunsphere was built for the 1982 World’s Fair and offers a stunning 360-degree view of downtown Knoxville, the Great Smoky Mountains, World’s Fair Park, the Tennessee River, and the University of Tennessee.

It also has a timeline, gallery, memorabilia, a newly painted mural, and technology related to the World’s Fair.

A Former Jail Nurse is Indicted and Charged with Official Misconduct and Theft
tbi

A Former Jail Nurse is Indicted and Charged with Official Misconduct and Theft

SCOTT COUNTY – An investigation by special agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has resulted in the indictment of a former Scott County Jail nurse.

In October, at the request of 8th Judicial District Attorney General Jared Effler, TBI agents began investigating allegations of misconduct involving Tonja York Draughn (DOB: 12/21/64). During the course of the investigation, agents discovered that Draughn, while employed as a nurse by the Scott County Sheriff’s Office, used her position to bring contraband items into the facility to sell to inmates. Further investigation revealed that Draughn also stole prescription medication from the facility.  

On Thursday, the Scott County Grand Jury returned an indictment charging Draughn with one count of Official Misconduct and one count of Theft. Today, she turned herself in and was booked into the Scott County Jail on a $10,000 bond.

The charges and allegations referenced in this release are merely accusations of criminal conduct, not evidence. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and convicted through due process of law.

#4/6 Vols Drop Series Finale at #3/7 LSU
Courtesy / LSU Athletics

#4/6 Vols Drop Series Finale at #3/7 LSU

BATON ROUGE, La. – No. 4/6 Tennessee fell to No. 3/7 LSU, 12-2, in Sunday afternoon’s series finale at Alex Box Stadium.

The Volunteers (35-9, 13-8 SEC) looked poised for a big day at the plate after plating two runs on four hits in the top of the first inning, but Tigers’ starter Casan Evans rebounded from his rough opening frame to shut down the UT attack for the remainder of his outing.

Evans earned the win to improve to 3-0 after striking out six and walking none over six innings of work. Fellow righty Zac Cowan pitched the final two innings, allowing just one hit.

LSU (36-9, 14-7 SEC) had its best offensive performance of the series, scoring 12 unanswered runs after falling behind 2-0. The Tigers finished with 13 hits, led by a monster day from leadoff hitter Derek Curiel, who was 4-for-4 with a walk, two runs scored, a homer and five RBIs.

A sacrifice fly by Hunter Ensley and a double from Dalton Bargo produced the Vols’ only two runs of the day. Dean Curley and Andrew Fischer led Tennessee at the dish with a pair of hits and a run scored each. Fischer kept his on-base streak going, as well, with a single in the first inning and a double in the eighth.

The junior first baseman is the only player in the SEC to have reached base in every game this year and has now reached safely in 47 consecutive games dating back to last season.

After making his 2025 SEC debut last weekend with a scoreless relief appearance against Kentucky, AJ Russell made his first start in league play on Sunday. The junior righthander allowed two runs on three hits while striking out two batters in 1.2 innings.

UT’s bullpen didn’t fare much better, allowing 10 runs on 10 hits as LSU continued to add to its lead throughout the game.

Up Next

The Vols open a nine-game homestand on Tuesday night against Northern Kentucky at 6 p.m. before hosting Auburn over the weekend at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

#1/4 Tennessee Clinches Series Win Over #16 Ole Miss
Courtesy / UT Athletics

#1/4 Tennessee Clinches Series Win Over #16 Ole Miss

OXFORD, Miss. – No. 1/4 Tennessee secured its sixth SEC series victory of the season with a 7-1 win over No. 16 Ole Miss on Sunday at Ole Miss Softball Stadium.
 
The Lady Vols (39-11, 14-7 SEC) have now claimed 22 of their last 24 conference series, a dominant stretch that dates to the end of the 2022 season.
 
Ole Miss (34-14, 10-11) jumped out to a quick lead with a run in the first inning after a leadoff walk and an RBI double. Tennessee starter Sage Mardjetko worked out of further trouble, limiting the Rebels to just the one run.
 
Tennessee took control in the third when Taylor Pannell launched a three-run home run—her 15th of the season—after a pair of walks set the table. The redshirt sophomore extended her reached-base streak to a career-high 21 games.
 
The Lady Vols added insurance in the fifth with another three-run frame. McKenna Gibson and Sophia Nugent opened the inning with back-to-back singles, and a sacrifice bunt moved pinch runners Katie Taylor and Zoie Shuler into scoring position. Saviya Morgan drove in Taylor with an RBI single to right, and a double steal brought home Shuler to make it 5-1. Laura Mealer followed with a run-scoring single to center, plating Morgan.
 
Tennessee tacked on one more in the seventh when Emma Clarke drew a bases-loaded walk to bring in the Lady Vols’ seventh run.
 
IN THE CIRCLE
Mardjetko tossed three innings in the start, allowing one run on one hit and three walks while striking out three. Erin Nuwer and Peyton Tanner provided middle relief, with Tanner working out of a two-on, one-out jam in the fourth.
 
Karlyn Pickens sealed the win with 2.1 scoreless innings in relief, striking out four and allowing just two hits. She improved to 20-6 on the year.
 
CHECK THE STATS
Pannell extended her reached base streak to a career-high 21 games on Sunday. She surpassed her previous career-best of 20 games set earlier this season.
 
With Sunday’s win, Tennessee improved to 10-1 in SEC rubber matches since the beginning of the 2023 season.
 
DUE UP
The Lady Vols will wrap up the regular season next weekend with a Thursday through Saturday series at home against Texas A&M. Tennessee will honor its five seniors before Game 3 on Saturday.

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