University of Tennessee Athletics
Friday, February 20
Birmingham, AL
5:30 P.M. ET
University of Tennessee
vs
Missouri State
SB Preview: #1 Lady Vols Primed for UAB Green and Gold Classic
February 19, 2026 | Softball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – For the third weekend in a row, the No. 1-ranked Lady Vols are on the road, traveling south to Birmingham, Alabama, for the UAB Green and Gold Classic at Mary Bowers Field.
Tennessee (10-0) will face Missouri State (5:30 p.m. ET) and UAB (8 p.m.) on Friday, Mercer (8 p.m.) on Saturday and will close out its weekend in the Magic City against Southern Illinois (12:30 p.m.) on Sunday.
BROADCAST INFO
Only Tennessee's game against UAB will be available to stream on ESPN+ this weekend. For all other games, fans can listen to Charley Collier call the action via a free audio stream on UTSports.com and the Tennessee Athletics Gameday App.
Streaming, live stats and radio links can be found by visiting the Tennessee softball schedule page at UTSports.com.
NOTABLE
WEEK 3 RANKINGS
Following a 10-0 start to the 2026 season, including six wins over NFCA Top- 25-ranked opponents, the Lady Vols have been named the unanimous No. 1 team in the nation. It is the first time all four major polls (NFCA, USA Softball, D1Softball and Softball America) have tabbed Tennessee as No. 1 at the same time. It is the first time Tennessee has been No. 1 in the NFCA poll since Feb. 11, 2014.
DODGE RAM
Redshirt sophomore infielder Ella Dodge has wasted no time asserting herself as one of the Lady Vols' top hitters this season. Dodge is batting .333 with nine runs, four doubles, two home runs and nine RBIs. She has 18 total bases through the first two weekends and has drawn nine walks in 10 games. Dodge is second on the team with four stolen bases and has an OPS of 1.293.
The second baseman is riding a six-game reached base streak and a 19-game reached base streak. The Bradenton, Florida, native, has also been rock solid at second base with a 1.000 fielding percentage in 36 chances while ranking second on the team with 18 assists. Dodge has helped turn four double plays.
TWINNIG
Junior outfielders and twins Gabby Leach and Alannah Leach have continued to shine for the Lady Vols, following breakout postseason performances in 2025.
Gabby Leach is hitting .423 while leading the team in runs (12). She has added four doubles, a home run and seven RBIs. The right fielder has six putouts, one assist and helped turn a 9-4-6 double play in the opening weekend of the season.
Alannah Leach is batting a team-leading .429 with eight runs, two home runs and four RBIs. She has an OPS of 1.436 and has three stolen bases. Over in left field, Alannah has nine putouts.
The twins hail from The Woodlands, Texas, and are the third and fourth Leach sisters to play for the Lady Vols. Their older sisters - Aubrey (2016-19) and Kelcy (2022) - also played under Karen Weekly. The family has a rich history in baseball and softball as their grandmother, Wilma Ann Williams-Leach, played professional baseball for the Rockford Peaches in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Aubrey Leach is currently Tennessee's Director of Player Development.
ROAD WARRIORS
Over the past three seasons, the Lady Vols have gone 38-10 in true road games and 43-14 at neutral sites. That run includes three conference sweeps at No. 10 LSU (2023), at No. 16 Kentucky (2023) and at No. 23 South Carolina (2024).
MAGIC NUMBER
Since the beginning of the 2023 season, the Lady Vols' magic number has been three (3). Tennessee is 141-9 when scoring three or more runs over that span.
RING OF FIRE
The Lady Vols have adopted a staff approach to pitching since 2023 and this season is no different. Over the first two weekends, five different pitchers started in the circle - Mardjetko (3), Pickens (2), Nuwer (2), Rutan (2) and Hardenburger (1). Nuwer has made six total appearances with Pickens appearing five times. The staff has combined for 73 strikeouts over 63 innings of work with an ERA of 0.33. They have allowed 25 hits with just three extra bases knocks, holding opponents to a .121 batting average against.
SCOUTING MISSOURI STATE
Head Coach (Record at Missouri State): Kasey Griffith (26-36)
2026 Record: 6-3
Series Record: Tennessee leads, 4-1
Last Meeting: W, 11-0 (5), on 3/8/24
SCOUTING UAB
Head Coach (Record at UAB): Taylor Smartt (29-37)
2026 Record: 5-6
Series Record: Tennessee leads, 3-0
Last Meeting: W, 10-0 (5), on 3/4/16
SCOUTING MERCER
Head Coach (Record at Mercer): Chris Kuhlmeyer (8-2)
2026 Record: 8-2
Series Record: Tennessee leads, 2-1
Last Meeting: W, 11-0 (5), on 4/6/23
SCOUTING SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
Head Coach (Record at Southern Illinois): Jen Sewell (141-67-1)
2026 Record: 7-3
Series Record: Southern Illinois leads, 1-0
Last Meeting: L, 7-6, on 2/20/98
DUE UP
The Lady Vols will finally return home to Sherri Parker Lee Stadium Feb. 27-March 1, hosting the Tennessee Invitational. The home-opening weekend will feature two games against Appalachian State and Penn State and one contest versus North Carolina Central.
Tennessee (10-0) will face Missouri State (5:30 p.m. ET) and UAB (8 p.m.) on Friday, Mercer (8 p.m.) on Saturday and will close out its weekend in the Magic City against Southern Illinois (12:30 p.m.) on Sunday.
BROADCAST INFO
Only Tennessee's game against UAB will be available to stream on ESPN+ this weekend. For all other games, fans can listen to Charley Collier call the action via a free audio stream on UTSports.com and the Tennessee Athletics Gameday App.
Streaming, live stats and radio links can be found by visiting the Tennessee softball schedule page at UTSports.com.
NOTABLE
WEEK 3 RANKINGS
Following a 10-0 start to the 2026 season, including six wins over NFCA Top- 25-ranked opponents, the Lady Vols have been named the unanimous No. 1 team in the nation. It is the first time all four major polls (NFCA, USA Softball, D1Softball and Softball America) have tabbed Tennessee as No. 1 at the same time. It is the first time Tennessee has been No. 1 in the NFCA poll since Feb. 11, 2014.
DODGE RAM
Redshirt sophomore infielder Ella Dodge has wasted no time asserting herself as one of the Lady Vols' top hitters this season. Dodge is batting .333 with nine runs, four doubles, two home runs and nine RBIs. She has 18 total bases through the first two weekends and has drawn nine walks in 10 games. Dodge is second on the team with four stolen bases and has an OPS of 1.293.
The second baseman is riding a six-game reached base streak and a 19-game reached base streak. The Bradenton, Florida, native, has also been rock solid at second base with a 1.000 fielding percentage in 36 chances while ranking second on the team with 18 assists. Dodge has helped turn four double plays.
TWINNIG
Junior outfielders and twins Gabby Leach and Alannah Leach have continued to shine for the Lady Vols, following breakout postseason performances in 2025.
Gabby Leach is hitting .423 while leading the team in runs (12). She has added four doubles, a home run and seven RBIs. The right fielder has six putouts, one assist and helped turn a 9-4-6 double play in the opening weekend of the season.
Alannah Leach is batting a team-leading .429 with eight runs, two home runs and four RBIs. She has an OPS of 1.436 and has three stolen bases. Over in left field, Alannah has nine putouts.
The twins hail from The Woodlands, Texas, and are the third and fourth Leach sisters to play for the Lady Vols. Their older sisters - Aubrey (2016-19) and Kelcy (2022) - also played under Karen Weekly. The family has a rich history in baseball and softball as their grandmother, Wilma Ann Williams-Leach, played professional baseball for the Rockford Peaches in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Aubrey Leach is currently Tennessee's Director of Player Development.
ROAD WARRIORS
Over the past three seasons, the Lady Vols have gone 38-10 in true road games and 43-14 at neutral sites. That run includes three conference sweeps at No. 10 LSU (2023), at No. 16 Kentucky (2023) and at No. 23 South Carolina (2024).
MAGIC NUMBER
Since the beginning of the 2023 season, the Lady Vols' magic number has been three (3). Tennessee is 141-9 when scoring three or more runs over that span.
RING OF FIRE
The Lady Vols have adopted a staff approach to pitching since 2023 and this season is no different. Over the first two weekends, five different pitchers started in the circle - Mardjetko (3), Pickens (2), Nuwer (2), Rutan (2) and Hardenburger (1). Nuwer has made six total appearances with Pickens appearing five times. The staff has combined for 73 strikeouts over 63 innings of work with an ERA of 0.33. They have allowed 25 hits with just three extra bases knocks, holding opponents to a .121 batting average against.
SCOUTING MISSOURI STATE
Head Coach (Record at Missouri State): Kasey Griffith (26-36)
2026 Record: 6-3
Series Record: Tennessee leads, 4-1
Last Meeting: W, 11-0 (5), on 3/8/24
SCOUTING UAB
Head Coach (Record at UAB): Taylor Smartt (29-37)
2026 Record: 5-6
Series Record: Tennessee leads, 3-0
Last Meeting: W, 10-0 (5), on 3/4/16
SCOUTING MERCER
Head Coach (Record at Mercer): Chris Kuhlmeyer (8-2)
2026 Record: 8-2
Series Record: Tennessee leads, 2-1
Last Meeting: W, 11-0 (5), on 4/6/23
SCOUTING SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
Head Coach (Record at Southern Illinois): Jen Sewell (141-67-1)
2026 Record: 7-3
Series Record: Southern Illinois leads, 1-0
Last Meeting: L, 7-6, on 2/20/98
DUE UP
The Lady Vols will finally return home to Sherri Parker Lee Stadium Feb. 27-March 1, hosting the Tennessee Invitational. The home-opening weekend will feature two games against Appalachian State and Penn State and one contest versus North Carolina Central.
Players Mentioned
SB | Sage Mardjetko Media Availability (2.18.26)
Wednesday, February 18
SB | Erin Nuwer Media Availability (2.18.26)
Wednesday, February 18
SB | Karen Weekly Press Conference (2.18.26)
Wednesday, February 18
SB | Ella Dodge Postgame vs. FSU (2.15.26)
Sunday, February 15
