Michael Allen 
SEO Meta Description: Tennessee Lady Vols softball improves to 10-0 with a dominant 9-1 win over Florida State at the Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational, highlighted by home runs from Ella Dodge and Emma Clarke.
The Tennessee Lady Volunteers softball closed out the Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational in dominant fashion this weekend, rolling past the Florida State Seminoles softball 9-1 to complete a perfect showing in Clearwater.
The victory pushes Tennessee to 10-0 on the young season and sends a clear message to the rest of the country: the Lady Vols are a force to be reckoned with in 2026.
Fast Start Sets the Tone
Tennessee wasted no time applying pressure. Sophia Knight opened the game with a single, and Gabby Leach followed with a base hit of her own. After Elsa Morrison flew out to right, Ella Dodge stepped in and launched a no-doubt, three-run home run to right field, giving the Lady Vols an early 3-0 lead.
That early offensive burst proved more than enough thanks to strong pitching and timely hitting throughout the afternoon.
Pitching Staff Slams the Door
Sage Mardjetko got the start in the circle. After surrendering a leadoff single in the first inning, she quickly settled in to retire the next three Seminoles. Tennessee went down in order in the top of the second following a leadoff walk, and Florida State capitalized in the bottom half.
Mardjetko ran into trouble, allowing two singles and hitting two batters as the Seminoles scratched across a run to cut the deficit to 3-1.
From there, Tennessee turned to ace Karlyn Pickens — and she shut the door.
Pickens was dominant in relief, allowing just one hit and two walks the rest of the way while striking out four. Florida State never threatened again as Pickens controlled the tempo and kept the Seminoles’ bats quiet.
Third-Inning Surge Breaks It Open
The Lady Vols responded immediately in the top of the third. Gabby Leach was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. After two outs, Emma Clarke worked a walk to keep the frame alive.
Alannah Leach delivered with a single to score her sister, and Taelyn Holley followed with a walk to load the bases. Makenzie Butt then came through with a two-run single, and Bella Faw added another RBI single to bring Holley home. Faw was thrown out trying to stretch her hit into a double, but the damage was done — Tennessee led 7-1.
Exclamation Point in the Seventh
Tennessee put at least one runner on base in each of the next three innings but couldn’t extend the lead until the seventh.
Ella Dodge drew a walk to get things started, and Clarke provided the finishing touch with a towering two-run home run to left field, sealing the 9-1 victory.
With a flawless weekend in Clearwater, Tennessee heads into its next stretch of games brimming with confidence.
The Lady Vols will now take a few days off before returning to action in the UAB Tournament, where they are set to face Missouri State on Friday at 5:30 p.m. ET.
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