SOFTBALL CENTRAL: NCAA Knoxville Regional

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee is hosting an NCAA Regional for the 15th straight year as the No. 12-seeded Lady Vols welcome Longwood, North Carolina and Ohio State to Sherri Parker Lee Stadium this weekend on Friday, May 17 through Sunday, May 19.

The Knoxville Regional is a double-elimination tournament with the winner moving on to the NCAA Super Regional.

Broadcast Info

Friday, May 17
Game 1: Ohio State def. North Carolina, 1-0

Game 2: #12 Tennessee def. Longwood, 8-0

Saturday, May 18
Game 3: #12 Tennessee def. Ohio State, 12-4

Recap
Live Stats: NCAA.com

Game 4: North Carolina def. Longwood, 3-1

Recap
Live Stats: NCAA.com

Game 5: North Carolina def. Ohio State, 5-3

Recap
Live Stats: NCAA.com

Sunday, May 19
Game 6: #12 Tennessee vs. North Carolina | 12 p.m. ET

Recap
Live Stats: NCAA.com
Watch: ESPN2

Game 7: #12 Tennessee vs. North Carolina | 2:35 p.m. ET

Live Stats: NCAA.com
Watch: ESPN2

Need to Know

The Lady Vols went 3-0 in the 2018 Knoxville Regional, downing Monmouth, JMU and Ohio.
Tennessee earned a top-12 seed for the 10th time since 2005. During those games the Orange and White own a 28-1 record in the NCAA Softball Regionals. 2019 marks the first time UT has been tabbed a No. 12 seed in the tournament.
The Lady Vols have faced Longwood, North Carolina and Ohio State a combined six times in Regional play. Overall, UT has given up only 1 run (to Ohio State) in those games.
With their selection as the No. 12 seed, Tennessee will hosts its 15th consecutive NCAA Regional. The streak started in 2005 when the Lady Vols were tabbed the No. 11 seed. Since then, UT has gone 3-0 on the weekend nine times. UT has only been knocked out of the tournament four times (2016, 2011, 2009 and 2008) in the Regional round when hosting.
Since February 20, 2004, the Lady Vols have played 1,021 games in a row as a ranked team. During that span, UT is 40-9 as a regional host.

Scouting Report

LONGWOOD
2019 Overall Record: 37-20
2019 Big South Record: 20-4

Head coach Cathy Riley was named the 2019 Big South Coach of the Year after guiding Longwood to a 34-19 record in regular season play.
LU has won 18 consecutive Big South series dating back to the 2017 season.
The Lancers captured their fifth Big South Championship in seven seasons last week with a 3-2 comeback win over Winthrop.
Friday's meeting vs. UT marks the sixth overall game in the series. Of those six games, three have been in Regional play. Tennessee has not allowed a run in any of the five previous contests.
Karleigh Donovan leads the squad with a .347 batting average, 60 hits and three triples. She one of just two players hitting over .300 on the team.
In the circle, Sydney Gay owns a 2.92 ERA while Sydney Backstrom leads the staff with 19 wins, 179.0 innings pitched and 150 strikeouts.

NORTH CAROLINA
2019 Overall Record: 35-18
2019 ACC Record: 10-14

In her 36th season, Donna J. Papa has led Carolina to the NCAA Tournament in 15 of the last 19 years. The Tar Heels went 33-17 in the regular season in 2019.
UNC is making its 15th appearance in the NCAA Tournament and fourth in the past five years.
Tennessee faced North Carolina on March 20 in a midweek game this season, shutting out the Tar Heels, 2-0. In their lone NCAA Tournament meeting, UT defeated UNC, 2-0, on May 19, 2007.
The Tar Heels finished second in the ACC and advanced to the ACC Championship game last Saturday, falling to No. 5 Florida State.
Kiani Ramsey leads the team with a .379 average, 64 hits and 11 doubles. Overall, five players are batting over .300 entering the weekend.
In the circle, Brittany Pickett owns a team-best 21 wins, 200 strikeouts and 2.11 ERA. Her 23 complete games and four saves are also the most on the squad.

OHIO STATE
2019 Overall Record: 34-16
2019 Big 10 Record: 17-6

Head coach Kelly Kovach Schoenly is in her seventh season at Ohio State. In 2019, she guided the Buckeyes to a 34-15 regular season record.
Ohio State is making the trip to Knoxville for the third time in the last four years to open the NCAA Tournament.
Despite their recent trips to Knoxville, the Lady Vols and Ohio State have faced off just once in Regional play on May 22, 2016 when UT downed the Buckeyes, 10-1.
The Buckeyes fell in the quarterfinals of the Big 10 tournament, 10-1, to Wisconsin.
Four starters are hitting .300 or better this season, led by three-time unanimous first team All-Big Ten selection Lilli Piper. Piper led the Big 10 in six offensive categories this season.
Kat Duvall leads the pitching staff with a 1.69 ERA while Morgan Ray has seen action in 35 games en route to a 17-8 record, and 102 strikeouts.

Gameday/Stadium Policies & Information

Clear Bag Policy
In an effort to enhance safety and expedite fan entry at Tennessee athletic events, UT has implemented a clear bag policy at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium and all other athletic facilities. Only one clear bag no larger than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches (gallon size) per person is permitted. Fans are also allowed a small clutch purse not exceeding 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches. Gates will open 60 minutes prior to game time.

Parking
Softball parking is located in Lots S14 and C25 adjacent to Sherri Parker Lee Stadium and Regal Soccer Stadium.

Other Info
All of the information listed above and more can be found on the Tennessee Softball Gameday Information page HERE.

For the latest news and information on the Lady Vols, follow Tennessee softball on Twitter (@Vol_Softball), Facebook (Tennessee Softball), Instagram (@Vol_Softball) and UTSports.com/Softball.

University of Tennessee Athletics

Broadcast Info

Scouting Report

Gameday/Stadium Policies & Information

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