Time is running out for Tennessee softball to respond to another wake-up call

Time is running out for Tennessee softball to respond to another wake-up call

Tennessee softball got yet another wake-up call to start the postseason, and fortunately for the Lady Vols, there's still another opportunity to do so.

There won't be many more if they don't.

The No. 5 seed Lady Vols were upset by No. 13 Ole Miss 4-1 in the second round of the SEC Tournament on May 6 in Lexington, Kentucky.

Tennessee (42-10) took an early 1-0 lead, but couldn't sustain it as its offense flatlined again and couldn't make up for an off day from both Sage Mardjetko and Karlyn Pickens, who combined for six strikeouts and seven hits allowed. Pickens allowed three walks and had two wild pitches and a hit-by-pitch.

"When you lose a softball game like we did today, I mean, pretty much everything that adds up to a loss was there," Tennessee coach Karen Weekly said. "We missed opportunities when we had runners in scoring position. We didn't make plays when we needed to to keep them from scoring, and then we allowed too many free passes."

Weekly said postseason softball is all about good pitching, clean defense and timely hitting — and Tennessee didn't accomplish any of those things at John Cropp Stadium.

The Lady Vols had only four hits and three walks. Junior shortstop Bella Faw drove in the sole run, and they went just 1-for-15 with runners on base.

Tennessee now has to wait for its NCAA Tournament draw in the selection show on May 10 (7 p.m. ET, ESPN2) as one of the teams on the bubble for a top-eight seed, which would allow it to host super regionals.

A win or two at the SEC Tournament would have sealed it, but with a third loss to Ole Miss (34-23) after dropping the regular-season series, there may be an opening for another team to take Tennessee's spot among the top eight seeds.

"You have to do things on the field to put yourself in the best position possible," Weekly said. "But at this point, whatever happens, happens."