How Saviya Morgan stepped up for Tennessee softball in Game 3 vs South Carolina

Tennessee's Saviya Morgan was mere feet away from her goal in the second inning, but her eyes were glued to the South Carolina infielder with the ball in her hands. Morgan paused as the ball was thrown to home plate. She started shuffling back down the third base line as the catcher gave chase at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium, where the No.

7 Lady Vols were looking to steal the SEC series on April 4. Morgan baited the catcher, but she was close enough to third to slide in and avoid the tag from the third baseman. The rundown then shifted to Maddi Rutan, which gave Morgan the distraction she was waiting for.

The sophomore outfielder bolted back down the third base line and scored before the Gamecocks finally tagged Rutan out at third. It was a stellar offensive inning for Morgan, who had laid down the bunt to get designated player Meredith Barnhart from first to third, setting up the first run. Tennessee scored three runs in the inning, and the early lead set the tone for the 4-2 win over No.

25 South Carolina in the rubber match. "The energy when (Barnhart) scored, like she was really fired up. And I thought that was just contagious tonight," Tennessee coach Karen Weekly said.