College Softball News

FPN Game of the Week: No. 9 Tennessee vs. No. 13 Utah

Photo courtesy of Tennessee and Utah Athletics

The season is off and running. That means the FPN Games and or Series of the week is back. This week we look at an SEC vs. Pac-12 match-up. That would be No. 9 Tennessee facing No. 13 Utah at the Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, AZ. The two are set to play on Saturday.

Tennessee is already 2-0, at the time this is being written. Thursday they secured wins over Boise State and Arizona State. They are led by FPN All-American Meghan Gregg who started well going 4-7 with a double, a two home runs and six RBI’s in the two games. Utah has yet to play.

At the Plate

Gregg is the leader of this Tennessee offense that will look to grow around her. Last season Gregg received numerous awards and honors including first-team All-American honors and she was named a top-three finalist for national player of the year. The question with the Vols is; which other players will step up at the plate? Scarlet McSwain, as a freshman, batted .293 with 10 home runs and 33 RBI’s. The problem is that was in 2015, she is coming off her worse year at the plate in 2017. If she can get back to the form she was in 2015, she could help the Vols. The opposite can be said about teammate CJ McClain who is coming off her best year batting .362 and swiping 27 bases in 2017.

Utah will look for leadership at the plate from sophomore Alyssa Barrera. Barrera received numerous honors last season including being a finalist for freshman of the year. In 2017 she batted .381, scored 47 runs and knocked in 23. Two others who can have an impact not only in this game but on the season as well is senior Heather Bowen and sophomore Breonna Castaneda. In 2017 Bowen had seven home runs and posted 44 RBI’s. Castaneda was solid in her first season in college batting .301 with three homers and 16 RBI’s. On paper at least, not much separates the two teams at the plate.

Edge: Tennessee

In the Circle

The Vols appear to be in good hands with the staff they have in 2018. Leading them is junior Matty Moss. In 2017 Moss went 26-3 with a 1.76 ERA and 193 strikeouts. Moss was not only successful, but she is fun to watch with her aggressive and upbeat approach. They also return sophomore Caylan Arnold. Arnold went 20-9 with a 2.01 ERA and 144 strikeouts in just her first season. They two make a formidable one-two. Add to the mix top recruit Gabby Sprang who won her first college game on Thursday beating Arizona State. She went five innings allowing one run off five hits while striking out four. If she can throw like that all year the Vols are in good shape.

Miranda Viramontes will anchor an experienced staff this season for Utah. In 2017 Viramontes earned First Team All-Pac-12 honors with her 14-4 record and 1.51 ERA. The other pitcher to keep an eye on is Katie Donovan. Donovan earned First Team All-Pac-12 honors in 2016 and Second Team in 2017. Last year she went 18-10 with a 3.29 ERA but did rack up 134 strikeouts. Experience can be critical in a long season and the Ute’s have that. They have several others that may step up and even more depth to this staff.

Edge: Tennesse

FPN’s Thoughts

On paper, it appears this game should be close and may be more of a pitchers battle than a slugfest. Last season Viramontes faced the Vols and had a complete game five-hit shutout with five strikeouts. As is the case in most games that become pitchers duals, defense plays a critical role. The edge here may go to Tennesse as well. Overall the Vol’s are the favorite if they can get some offensive production out of those around Gregg they should be able to put some runs on the board. Expect a close one though with Tennessee coming out on top.

Pick: Tennesse

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