University of Tennessee Athletics
Sunday, February 22
Birmingham, AL
3 PM ET
University of Tennessee
14-0
9
vs
0
Southern Illinois
8-5
1
2
3
4
5
R
H
E
Tennessee
2
2
0
5
0
9
9
0
Southern Illinois
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
5
Mardjetko Throws No-Hitter, #1 Lady Vols Run-Rule Southern Illinois
February 22, 2026 | Softball
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Junior pitcher Sage Mardjetko tossed her first career no-hitter on Sunday as the No. 1-ranked Lady Vols run-ruled Southern Illinois 9-0 at Mary Bowers Field on the final day of the Green and Gold Classic.
Mardjetko (3-0) was dominant from start to finish, striking out 12 and issuing just one walk. The right-hander overpowered the Salukis all afternoon as she struck out seven in a row and fanned nine of the final 10 batters she faced.
The Lady Vols (14-0) gave Mardjetko early support in the first as Sophia Knight led off with a bunt single and came around to score on a Gabby Leach double to right center. After Holley moved Leach to third, Ella Dodge reached on an error that brought home another run for a 2-0 lead.
In the second, Tennessee added more punch. Alannah Leach singled to set the table for Maddi Rutan, who launched a two-run homer to left-center to extend the advantage to 4-0.
The decisive blow came in the fourth during a five-run outburst. Rutan reached on an error to open the inning, and after a sacrifice bunt and a Knight double, Southern Illinois' defense faltered. Two errors helped push across runs, Dodge added an RBI single, and Emma Clarke delivered a two-run double to left-center to stretch the lead to 9-0.
Tennessee totaled nine hits in the win, highlighted by Knight's 4-for-4 day with two runs scored. Gabby Leach, Dodge, Clarke and Rutan all finished with a hit and two RBIs.
KNIGHT SHOW
Sophia Knight was on fire all weekend, going 11-for-13 (.846) with seven runs scored, one double, an RBI and two stolen bases. This season, Knight has four two-hit games, three three-hit outings and picked up a four-hit day against Southern Illinois.
RUN DIFFERENTIAL
Tennessee is outscoring its opponents 113-5 for a run differential of +108 through 14 games.
RING OF FIRE
Tennessee's pitching staff continues to dominate. Sage Mardjetko led the staff this weekend with a pair of wins, 23 strikeouts over 12 innings of work and two shutouts. Karlyn Pickens and Erin Nuwer picked up the other two wins and added 11 and six strikeouts, respectively.
Peyton Hardenburger tossed one inning in relief and struck out three to give the staff 43 combined strikeouts over 24 innings.
The staff allowed just one run, seven hits and seven walks over the four-game weekend.
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.
Mardjetko (3-0) was dominant from start to finish, striking out 12 and issuing just one walk. The right-hander overpowered the Salukis all afternoon as she struck out seven in a row and fanned nine of the final 10 batters she faced.
The Lady Vols (14-0) gave Mardjetko early support in the first as Sophia Knight led off with a bunt single and came around to score on a Gabby Leach double to right center. After Holley moved Leach to third, Ella Dodge reached on an error that brought home another run for a 2-0 lead.
In the second, Tennessee added more punch. Alannah Leach singled to set the table for Maddi Rutan, who launched a two-run homer to left-center to extend the advantage to 4-0.
The decisive blow came in the fourth during a five-run outburst. Rutan reached on an error to open the inning, and after a sacrifice bunt and a Knight double, Southern Illinois' defense faltered. Two errors helped push across runs, Dodge added an RBI single, and Emma Clarke delivered a two-run double to left-center to stretch the lead to 9-0.
Tennessee totaled nine hits in the win, highlighted by Knight's 4-for-4 day with two runs scored. Gabby Leach, Dodge, Clarke and Rutan all finished with a hit and two RBIs.
KNIGHT SHOW
Sophia Knight was on fire all weekend, going 11-for-13 (.846) with seven runs scored, one double, an RBI and two stolen bases. This season, Knight has four two-hit games, three three-hit outings and picked up a four-hit day against Southern Illinois.
RUN DIFFERENTIAL
Tennessee is outscoring its opponents 113-5 for a run differential of +108 through 14 games.
RING OF FIRE
Tennessee's pitching staff continues to dominate. Sage Mardjetko led the staff this weekend with a pair of wins, 23 strikeouts over 12 innings of work and two shutouts. Karlyn Pickens and Erin Nuwer picked up the other two wins and added 11 and six strikeouts, respectively.
Peyton Hardenburger tossed one inning in relief and struck out three to give the staff 43 combined strikeouts over 24 innings.
The staff allowed just one run, seven hits and seven walks over the four-game weekend.
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.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Mardjetko, Sage (3-0)
L: McDowell,Kia (1-2)
Batting:
2B: Knight, Sophia 1 ; Leach, Gabby 1 ; Clarke, Emma 1
HR: Rutan, Maddi 1
RBI: Leach, Gabby 2 ; Dodge, Ella 2 ; Clarke, Emma 2 ; Rutan, Maddi 2
SH: Faw, Bella 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Knight, Sophia 2 ; Leach, Gabby 2 ; Holley, Taelyn 1 ; Dodge, Ella 1 ; Leach, Alannah 1 ; Rutan, Maddi 2
SB: Leach, Gabby 1 ; Holley, Taelyn 1 ; Dodge, Ella 1
Game Leaders
AB
4
R
2
H
4
RBI
0
AB
4
R
2
H
1
RBI
2
AB
3
R
1
H
1
RBI
2
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
2
Players Mentioned
INF
/ Softball
UT
/ Softball
P
/ SoftballOF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
P/INF
/ SoftballSB | Sage Mardjetko Postgame vs. Southern Illinois (2.22.26)
Sunday, February 22
SB | Karen Weekly Postgame vs. Southern Illinois (2.22.26)
Sunday, February 22
SB | Karen Weekly Postgame vs. Mercer (2.21.26)
Sunday, February 22
SB | Elsa Morrison Postgame vs. Mercer (2.21.26)
Sunday, February 22
