LADY VOLS ACHIEVE HISTORIC MILESTONE: Clinch First SEC Series Sweep with Victory Over Auburn at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium
In what has become a statement series for the Tennessee Lady Volunteers softball program, the team etched its name in Southeastern Conference (SEC) history books over the weekend. With a commanding performance on Sunday afternoon at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium, Tennessee completed a dominant sweep of Auburn, marking the first SEC series sweep of the 2025 season for the Lady Vols—and doing so in historic fashion.
Under the leadership of head coach Karen Weekly, the Lady Vols displayed tenacity, resilience, and power, culminating in a three-game run that redefined their season trajectory and placed them firmly in the hunt for the SEC title. The sweep not only lifted spirits in Knoxville but sent a message across the college softball landscape: Tennessee is peaking at the right time.
Game 1: Lady Vols Set the Tone
Friday’s series opener was all about setting the stage. The Lady Vols came out of the gates swinging, taking down Auburn 5–2 in a performance anchored by stellar pitching and timely offense.
Pitcher Payton Gottshall continued to assert herself as Tennessee’s ace, striking out eight Auburn batters across seven innings. The graduate senior worked her way through multiple jams, showcasing the poise and precision that have made her one of the most dependable arms in the SEC.
Offensively, Tennessee wasted little time. In the bottom of the first, leadoff hitter Kiki Milloy laced a double into the left-center gap and later scored on a single from McKenna Gibson. Milloy’s aggressive baserunning and Gibson’s clutch hitting lit the spark the Lady Vols would carry all weekend.
Auburn attempted to mount a comeback in the later innings, but Tennessee’s defense stayed tight. Ashley Rogers, working in relief in the sixth, helped preserve the win, nabbing her first save of the season.
Game 2: Extra-Inning Drama in the Rain
Saturday’s matchup brought grit and drama, and by the end of a rain-delayed, extra-inning thriller, Tennessee fans were left breathless—and elated.
The Lady Vols pulled out a 6–5 victory in the 10th inning, fighting through adversity and weather delays to earn one of their grittiest wins of the season. The game was punctuated by a walk-off single from Zaida Puni, who drove in the winning run with a liner into right field.
Puni, one of the team’s most consistent hitters this year, said postgame: “We knew we had to stay focused despite the rain and long game. This team has heart, and we showed it today.”
Starting pitcher Karlyn Pickens went five innings, allowing three runs before handing the ball over to sophomore Ryleigh White, who pitched five strong innings in relief. Her dominance late in the game kept Auburn from adding insurance runs, and it proved crucial in Tennessee’s come-from-behind effort.
Auburn had the lead at multiple points during the game, but each time the Tigers scored, the Lady Vols responded—most notably with a clutch home run by freshman phenom Gabby Jimenez in the seventh to tie the game at five and push the contest into extras.
Game 3: The Sweep Sealed in Style
Sunday’s finale was not only a clincher—it was a crowning moment. In front of a raucous crowd at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium, Tennessee left no doubt, defeating Auburn 7–1 to complete the sweep and secure their place in the SEC elite.
It was a complete performance in every sense of the word. The bats were alive from the get-go, as the Lady Vols scored in each of the first three innings. Kiki Milloy opened the game with a solo home run—the 70th of her Tennessee career—placing her third all-time in program history. Milloy finished the day 3-for-4 with two RBIs and a stolen base, capping one of the best series of her storied career.
“Honestly, I’m just proud of this group,” Milloy said after the game. “Every person contributed this weekend. We stayed together, and now we’re starting to play like we know we can.”
Freshman pitcher Lilli Backes delivered a career performance, going the full seven innings while allowing just three hits and one unearned run. The lefty used a devastating changeup to keep Auburn hitters off-balance all afternoon.
“We challenged Lilli to step up this weekend,” Coach Weekly said. “And she delivered. She was fearless, and her composure on the mound was impressive.”
Why This Series Sweep Matters
For Tennessee, this isn’t just another series win—it’s a defining moment in the 2025 campaign. The Lady Vols had faced inconsistency earlier in SEC play, splitting series with LSU and Florida. But the sweep over Auburn now places Tennessee firmly in the upper echelon of the SEC standings, alongside perennial contenders like Georgia and Alabama.
It’s also a historical milestone: the first time in program history the Lady Vols have swept Auburn in a three-game SEC series.
“We’ve had good teams in the past that just couldn’t get that full series sweep,” Coach Weekly said. “To do it at home, in front of our fans, and against a quality Auburn team—it means everything.”
The significance goes beyond numbers. This sweep has energized the locker room, the fanbase, and perhaps most importantly, has instilled a belief that this team can compete for a Women’s College World Series berth.
Standout Players of the Series
Kiki Milloy
Milloy was, simply put, electric. The senior outfielder hit .545 for the series, scored six runs, and stole three bases. Her ability to lead by example sets the tone every game.
Zaida Puni
The junior infielder came up huge in Saturday’s game with a walk-off single and delivered solid defensive work throughout the weekend.
Gabby Jimenez
The freshman may have had her breakout moment with her game-tying homer in Game 2. She also added three RBIs in the series finale, continuing her rapid development.
Lilli Backes
Her complete-game performance in Game 3 was nothing short of dominant. The freshman showed poise beyond her years and could be a key weapon for the Lady Vols in the postseason.
Inside the Numbers
- Team Batting Average (Series): .338
- Team ERA (Series): 1.67
- Total Home Runs Hit: 4
- Stolen Bases: 8
- Errors Committed: 0
This was one of the Lady Vols’ most efficient series, with clean defense, smart baserunning, and high-level execution in clutch moments.
Fan Support Reaches Fever Pitch
The three-game set drew the largest home crowd attendance of the season, with nearly 4,000 fans packing Sherri Parker Lee Stadium over the weekend. The atmosphere was electric, particularly during Saturday’s extra-inning win, where fans stood and cheered for every pitch of the 10th inning.
“There’s nothing like Lady Vol Nation,” Weekly said. “They give us energy and motivation. This sweep belongs to them as much as it does to us.”
Looking Ahead
With the Auburn sweep complete, the Lady Vols (now 34–9, 11–7 SEC) turn their attention to a crucial road series against Arkansas next weekend. The Razorbacks are in the thick of the SEC race, and Tennessee’s performance in Fayetteville could further clarify their seeding for the upcoming SEC Tournament in Gainesville.
A top-8 seed in the NCAA Tournament is still within reach for Tennessee, and the remaining series against Arkansas and Texas A&M will be key.
Closing Thoughts: A Season-Turning Moment
The 2025 Lady Vols softball team may look back at this Auburn series as the weekend everything changed. From big-time performances to unforgettable moments, this sweep represents more than just three wins—it marks a resurgence.
There’s confidence brewing in Knoxville, and it’s not unfounded. The mix of veteran leadership, exciting young talent, and solid coaching gives Tennessee one of the most balanced rosters in the nation. With momentum on their side and a supportive fanbase behind them, the Lady Vols are suddenly one of the most dangerous teams heading into the final stretch of the season.
The message is clear: the Lady Vols are not just chasing history—they’re making it.
Quick Recap of Series:
| Game | Score | Winning Pitcher | Key Moment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | TENN 5, AUB 2 | Payton Gottshall | Milloy sparks rally with leadoff double |
| Game 2 | TENN 6, AUB 5 (10 innings) | Ryleigh White | Puni’s walk-off single |
| Game 3 | TENN 7, AUB 1 | Lilli Backes | Milloy’s 70th career HR ignites offense |
Follow the Lady Vols’ journey as they look to build on this historic sweep and charge into postseason play with fire in their hearts and victory on their minds.