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More Softball

• Lady Vols to host softball regional
• No. 1 Florida knocks out Lady Vols
• Callahan named SEC Player of the Year

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BATON ROUGE, La. — The Tennessee Lady Vols had trailed in 26 different games going into their SEC softball tournament opener Thursday at Tiger Park and had come back to win 13.

One hour and 43 minutes into the tournament, those numbers had been amended to read 27 and 14, as 14th-ranked and fourth-seeded Tennessee (47-13) overcame an early 1-0 deficit to defeat No. 5 seed Georgia 5-2.

“It’s always tough playing Georgia because they keep coming at you,” said UT co-head coach Karen Weekly. “No lead is safe when you’re playing them. They play with a lot of energy and enthusiasm and they never quit.”

Megan Rhodes (20-8), who picked up all three wins against the Bulldogs (43-22) during the season series in Knoxville, scattered five hits and struck out six.

“It feels great to start the postseason with a win, especially in a tournament like this” said Rhodes. “The SEC is one of the premier conferences so any team you beat here is a good one.”

No. 1 seed Florida scored one run in the sixth to eke out a 1-0 victory over No. 8 Ole Miss. The Lady Vols and Gators will meet in the first semifinal at 5 p.m. today. Florida swept the Lady Vols last weekend.

Georgia starter Christie Hamilton (12-4) gave up five runs on six hits with eight walks and four strikeouts in six innings against the Lady Vols.

The Bulldogs opened the scoring in the top of the first inning when Alisa Goler doubled to left field to score Taylor Schlopy from first.

The lead was short-lived though as Tennessee struck back with two runs in the bottom half of the inning. Kenora Posey scored on a throwing error by shortstop Kristin Schnake. Tonya Callahan later scored from third on a Tiffany Huff double.

The Lady Vols made it 4-1 in the third when Erinn Webb doubled to right-center, scoring Huff and Kelsey Stander.

“When we needed Erinn Webb she came through in a big way,” Weekly said. “She was definitely our offensive player of the game. I feel like we need to do some more damage with the bases loaded, but in the postseason it’s all about getting wins.”

The Bulldogs’ aggression was rewarded in the fifth when Schnake made use of a stiff breeze blowing out and clubbed the first pitch she saw over the fence in left field.

“Schnake took advantage of some good pitches and got a hold of one,” said Georgia coach Lu Harris-Champer. “I thought the team played with a lot of heart and the seniors came out and really led us today.”

Tennessee made it 5-2 when Webb singled through the right side to score Caitlin Ryan, who was in the game to pinch run for Shannon Doepking.

Webb went 2-for-3 with three RBIs, while Callahan (two walks), Huff (two walks), Nicole Kajitani and Kelly Grieve had base hits.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.