Why Alannah Leach is key to Tennessee softball's offensive resurgence
Alannah Leach's performances have been key to getting Tennessee softball's offense back on track. She had two home runs in Game 3 against Kentucky.
Tennessee softball is finding its footing again on offense, and junior outfielder Alannah Leach is a big reason why. Leach leads the team in batting average in SEC play, hitting . 350 with a team-high six home runs.
In conference games, she's tied for first with her twin sister, Gabby, for most RBIs (11), and has struck out just four times in 18 games. Leach didn't waste any time sparking the offense in the No. 9 Lady Vols' 10-3 win in the series finale April 13 against Kentucky (24-22, 1-17 SEC) at John Cropp Stadium, hitting a two-run homer in the first inning.
She hit a second home run in the second inning. Leach went 2-for-2 with two runs scored, three RBIs, two home runs and a walk in Game 3 as Tennessee completed the sweep, their second in SEC play. It was her fourth multi-hit game in the past seven games.
"I just kept telling myself to keep it simple, trusting my process and my plan of just going up to bat, seeing the ball, hitting the ball, and trusting my instincts when I'm up there," Leach said. The Lady Vols (37-6, 12-6) started SEC play with a sweep of LSU at home behind explosive offensive performances. But then they struggled at the plate, dropping their series against Florida and Ole Miss.