Preview: #9 Lady Vols Face Western Carolina in Four-Game Homestand

The #9 Tennessee Lady Vols softball team is gearing up for a crucial four-game homestand at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium, where they will take on the Western Carolina Catamounts in a non-conference series. This will be an exciting opportunity for the Lady Vols to build momentum as they head into the meat of their SEC schedule. With a 26-4 record to start the season, Tennessee has been impressive, showcasing their all-around strength on both offense and defense. However, they are not taking this matchup lightly, as every game is an opportunity to fine-tune their play and extend their lead in the NCAA Tournament rankings.

The Lady Vols’ Strong Start to 2025

The 2025 season has been a standout one for Tennessee so far. Under the leadership of head coach Karen Weekly, the Lady Vols have proven themselves to be one of the top teams in the nation. Their 26-4 record speaks volumes about their consistency and ability to compete at the highest level. Their success has come from a combination of powerful hitting, excellent pitching, and stellar defense. The team has been particularly dominant in the circle, where their pitching staff has consistently stifled opposing offenses.

Offense: At the plate, the Lady Vols have been explosive. They are ranked among the top 10 teams in the country for runs scored, driven by their ability to hit for both power and average. With several players hitting over .300, Tennessee boasts a deep lineup that can hurt teams in many different ways. The Lady Vols’ ability to hit for extra bases has also been a key factor in their success. With home runs, doubles, and triples, they can put up runs in a hurry.

Pitching: On the mound, Tennessee’s pitching staff has been one of the best in the country. Led by ace Ashley Rogers, who has been a dominant force in the circle, the Lady Vols have posted impressive team ERA numbers. Rogers, a senior right-hander, has proven to be one of the most reliable pitchers in the nation, earning several accolades and All-American honors throughout her career. Alongside Rogers, the Lady Vols have a solid bullpen, with pitchers like Payton Gottshall and Kaitlyn Cunningham contributing quality innings.

Defense: Defensively, Tennessee has been rock-solid, making very few errors and showing excellent range in the field. The Lady Vols have one of the best infields in the country, with shortstop Sami Fagan anchoring the defense. The outfield has also been a strength for Tennessee, with players like Lacy Prejean and Jordan Hochevar covering ground with ease. With such a solid defense behind them, the Lady Vols are able to minimize scoring opportunities for their opponents.

Western Carolina: A Look at the Catamounts

While Tennessee has been riding high in 2025, Western Carolina comes into this series with a more modest record. The Catamounts are 13-17 on the season, but they’ve shown that they can compete with some of the better teams in the nation. Although they may not be ranked in the top 25, Western Carolina is known for being a scrappy team that plays with a lot of heart. Their head coach, Stephanie VanBrakle, has built a team that is focused on strong fundamentals and competitive play.

Offense: Western Carolina has had its struggles offensively, but they have shown flashes of brilliance. Players like Caitlyn Barnes and Sierra Hays have provided some punch in the lineup, and the Catamounts have shown they can put up runs when necessary. However, their offense will likely need to be firing on all cylinders to keep pace with Tennessee’s explosive lineup.

Pitching: Western Carolina’s pitching staff has also faced challenges this season. With a team ERA hovering above 4.50, the Catamounts have struggled to consistently keep opponents in check. Emily Hower has been their most reliable pitcher, and she will likely get the start in at least one of the games in this series. Hower will need to be on her best form to slow down the potent Tennessee lineup, which has been putting up runs in bunches.

Defense: Defensively, the Catamounts have had mixed results. While they have some solid individual players in the field, their overall defensive play has been inconsistent. Errors and misplays have occasionally cost Western Carolina games, and this could be a factor in this series against a team as talented as Tennessee. If the Catamounts are going to have a chance to pull off an upset, they will need to limit their mistakes and play near-perfect defense.

Key Players to Watch

For Tennessee, several players will be critical in this four-game homestand against Western Carolina:

1. Ashley Rogers (P): As mentioned, Rogers is the ace of the staff and one of the top pitchers in the country. Her ability to control the game from the circle is going to be a big factor in Tennessee’s success. If Rogers can continue her dominance and keep Western Carolina’s offense off balance, the Lady Vols should be in a good position to win.
2. Lacy Prejean (OF): Prejean has been one of the most consistent hitters for Tennessee this season. Her ability to get on base, drive in runs, and play solid defense in the outfield makes her an all-around asset. She’ll be a key player in generating offense and helping the Lady Vols extend rallies.
3. Kaitlyn Cunningham (P): Cunningham has been a solid No. 2 pitcher for Tennessee, and she will be relied upon to contribute valuable innings in this series. Her ability to come in and close out games or start and provide strong pitching will be crucial for the Lady Vols’ success.
4. Jordan Hochevar (OF): Hochevar has been another standout performer for Tennessee. A dynamic player in the outfield, Hochevar’s speed and defensive prowess make her an important piece of the Lady Vols’ lineup. She is also capable of driving the ball to all fields and being a threat at the plate.

For Western Carolina, there are a few players to keep an eye on:

1. Caitlyn Barnes (INF): Barnes has been one of Western Carolina’s top hitters this season. As a veteran presence in the lineup, Barnes will be expected to provide offensive spark for the Catamounts. She’ll need to produce in this series if Western Carolina is going to keep up with Tennessee.
2. Sierra Hays (OF): Hays has shown flashes of power and potential this season. She will be another key bat for Western Carolina, and her ability to find gaps in Tennessee’s defense could help the Catamounts put together scoring opportunities.
3. Emily Hower (P): As the ace of Western Carolina’s pitching staff, Hower will need to step up in this series. The Lady Vols are a tough opponent, but if Hower can locate her pitches and avoid giving up big innings, she’ll give her team a fighting chance.

The Importance of the Series for Tennessee

While this series is not part of SEC play, it is still an important opportunity for Tennessee. The Lady Vols will look to build momentum, sharpen their skills, and avoid complacency before their more challenging SEC matchups. A sweep of Western Carolina would solidify their position as one of the top teams in the country, giving them even more confidence heading into the thick of their conference schedule.

The homestand also provides a chance for Tennessee to further develop depth, especially in the bullpen. With postseason play not too far down the road, having multiple reliable options in the circle will be essential. Coach Weekly will likely use this series to give some of her pitchers valuable innings and test different lineup combinations to ensure that the team is firing on all cylinders when the games really matter.

Key Factors to Watch for in the Series

1. Tennessee’s Pitching Dominance: Will Tennessee’s pitching staff, led by Ashley Rogers, continue to dominate the opposition? Western Carolina’s offense will need to produce against one of the best pitching staffs in the country if they want to stay in the game.
2. Offensive Execution: Tennessee’s offense has been potent all season, but they’ll need to maintain focus and execute in all areas. Consistency at the plate, smart base running, and taking advantage of scoring opportunities will be key in this series.
3. Defensive Play: Both teams will need to focus on clean defensive play. For Western Carolina, limiting errors will be crucial to keeping the game close. For Tennessee, they’ll want to continue their strong defensive play and give their pitchers the best chance to succeed.
4. Western Carolina’s Resilience: While the Catamounts may not be favored in this series, they have proven that they can be resilient. If they can get off to a strong start and create some pressure on Tennessee, they might be able to surprise the Lady Vols.

The Tennessee Lady Vols will enter this four-game homestand with confidence, but they won’t be taking Western Carolina lightly. The Catamounts will come to Knoxville with a chip on their shoulder, looking to prove themselves against one of the nation’s top teams. For Tennessee, it’s a chance to keep rolling, continue to develop depth, and fine-tune their play ahead of tougher matchups in the SEC. With powerful offense, dominant pitching, and solid defense, the Lady Vols are poised to make a statement in this series, but they’ll need to execute at a high level to secure a dominant performance.

As the season progresses, every game counts, and Tennessee will look to use this series as an opportunity to strengthen their case as one of the top teams in college softball heading into the postseason.

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