KNOXVILLE, Tenn – Freshman Erin Nuwer struck out a career-high 12 batters to lead the No. 7 Lady Vols to a 4-0 victory over Western Carolina at Sherri Lee Parker Stadium on Tuesday night.
Nuwer was one out away from a no-hitter when Western Carolina’s Sydney Dirks broke up the bid with a single to left field in the seventh inning.
Tennessee (30-7) took a 2-0 lead in the first inning thanks to two walks, two hit batters, and a sacrifice fly by Laura Mealer.
In the second inning, freshman Emma Clarke scored after a throwing error on a Kinsey Fiedler single, then added a solo home run in the sixth to extend the Lady Vols’ lead to 4-0. Clarke’s home run, her second of the season, was her first at home in Knoxville.
IN THE CIRCLE
Nuwer (5-1) retired the first 12 batters she faced before a fielding error in the fifth inning ended her perfect game bid. She allowed just one hit and one walk while hitting one batter over seven dominant innings. Nuwer struck out 12 of the 24 batters she faced, retiring 21 of them.
In her last two appearances, Nuwer has given up just two hits in 10 innings, walking one and fanning 14.
NOTABLE PERFORMERS
Saviya Morgan stole two bases and scored a run, bringing her season total to 22 stolen bases and 34 runs scored.
Kinsey Fiedler went 1-for-2 with an RBI, marking the 100th RBI of her career.
Clarke finished with two runs, including the solo home run, and made her 11th start for Tennessee and her eighth behind the plate.
DUE UP
The Lady Vols return to SEC play this weekend, hosting Mississippi State for a three-game series April 4-6. The first two games will be broadcast on SEC Network, with game three airing on SEC Network+.
