March 7, 2009
OKLAHOMA CITY -- After No. 8 Tennessee hit a game-tying three-run homer in the top of the sixth, sophomore Michelle Batts' (Bloomingdale, Ill./Glenbard North) countered with a walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the seventh to give No. 16 Northwestern a 7-3 win Saturday afternoon at The Preview presented by Worth.
The win pushes the Wildcats to 11-6 overall on the year while the Lady Vols now are 14-2 with their loss.
After Northwestern starter Lauren Delaney (Jefferson City, Mo./Helias) set the Tennessee side down in order quickly in the top of the first, the Wildcats put the game's first run on the scoreboard. Senior Tammy Williams (Roscoe, Mo./Osceola) led off the frame with a double before Tennessee starter Cat Hosfield retired the next two batters. Freshman Adrienne Monka (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif./Rancho Cucamonga) drew a walk followed by an infield single for sophomore Michelle Batts (Bloomingdale, Ill./Glenbard North) to load the bases. Erin Dyer (Homer Glen, Ill./Lockport) then drew a four-pitch walk to force home Williams and give NU a 1-0 advantage.
Northwestern added a run in the bottom of the third. Robin Thompson (Detroit, Mich./Martin Luther King) led off with a single before moving to third one out later when Monka double down the line in right. Batts then grounded out to short, but the speedy Thompson motored home to give NU a 2-0 cushion.
Delaney continued to cruise in the circle, striking out the side in the fifth inning to reach eight for the game against just one infield base knock.
With one out in the bottom of the fifth, Nicole Pauly (Palatine, Ill./Palatine) laced a ball into left field that was destined for homer land, but Tennessee fielder Lillian Hammond corralled it as she crashed into the fence for out number two. Monka followed that shot with one of her own, however this one found its way over the fence to give Northwestern a 3-0 lead. The blast was Monka's team-best sixth of the season.
Tennessee put together its first rally of the game in the top of the sixth to tie the game. With two outs in the inning, back-to-back singles put runners at first and second before a home run to center knotted the score, 3-3. Delaney recovered to fan the next batter, giving her 10 in the game.
Delaney reached 12 strikeouts in the top of the seventh before Northwestern put together the bottom-of-the-seventh threat. With one out, Williams hit a soaring pop fly over the plate that got caught up in the fierce wind, causing it to land between three fielders for an infield double. Pinch hitter Emily Haug (Jefferson City, Mo./Helias) then drew a full-count walk before being replaced at first when Thompson re-entered. After getting the second out, Tennessee opted to intentionally walk Monka to load the bases and push the tying run to third in the form of Williams, setting the stage for Batts' dramatics.
Batts finished 2-for-4 with five RBIs, while Monka was 2-for-2 with two runs scored. Williams was 2-for-4 with a pair of runs while Thompson also scored twice.
Delaney (10-5) allowed three runs on four hits with no walks and 12 strikeouts to earn the win for the 'Cats.
Northwestern and Tennessee twice have met before on the ASA Hall of Fame Stadium field during World Series play. The Wildcats defeated the Lady Vols on winner's bracket Friday in 2006 while Tennessee knocked Northwestern out of the 2007 Series on semifinal Sunday.
The two teams will meet again in the 2009 Preview presented by Worth at 10 a.m. tomorrow, Sunday, March 8.