Title: Behind Sage Mardjetko’s Dominance and Sophia Nugent’s Heroics, No. 7 Tennessee Softball Punches Third Straight Ticket to NCAA Super Regionals

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — In a defining moment for one of the nation’s most consistent softball programs, No. 7 Tennessee flexed its power and poise Sunday afternoon, dispatching Virginia with a 6-1 victory to advance to the NCAA Super Regionals for the third straight season. The Lady Vols rode the electric arm of freshman right-hander Sage Mardjetko and the clutch bat of veteran slugger Sophia Nugent, whose pivotal home run broke open a tight contest and energized a sold-out Sherri Parker Lee Stadium crowd.

This wasn’t just a win—it was a statement.

For head coach Karen Weekly, who has built Tennessee into a perennial powerhouse, the team’s latest postseason success underscores the balance of youth and experience, power and precision, and pressure-tested grit that has defined the 2025 squad.

“Every time we step on the field in the postseason, we talk about earning the next game,” Weekly said after the game. “Sage was lights out today. Sophia came through like she has all year. This team believes in itself, and you saw that in how they responded under pressure.”

Sage Mardjetko: Calm, Cool, and Nearly Untouchable

The true freshman from Frankfort, Illinois, had already dazzled this season with mature poise well beyond her years, but Sunday’s outing may have been her best yet. Mardjetko tossed a complete-game masterpiece, giving up just three hits while striking out eight Cavaliers in a dominant performance that silenced Virginia’s bats and kept Tennessee in control from start to finish.

She attacked the strike zone early, mixing her devastating rise ball with pinpoint location on her off-speed pitches. Virginia’s hitters were frequently off balance, unable to generate solid contact or sustain any momentum.

“I just wanted to give my team a chance to win,” Mardjetko said. “We worked hard all week preparing for this moment. I trusted my pitches, and my defense backed me up every step of the way.”

Indeed, Mardjetko’s outing was not only efficient but surgical. Over the course of seven innings, she threw just 94 pitches and retired 14 of the final 16 batters she faced. It was the kind of lockdown performance Tennessee needed after an emotional extra-inning win the previous day.

Weekly praised Mardjetko’s mental toughness, especially considering the stakes.

“She’s just unflappable,” Weekly said. “For a freshman to step into this kind of moment and perform like that—it tells you everything about who she is. She’s a competitor. She’s ready for this stage.”

Sophia Nugent: Veteran Power at the Right Moment

While Mardjetko kept Virginia off the board, it was senior catcher Sophia Nugent who delivered the dagger. With the score tied 1-1 in the fourth inning and Tennessee looking for separation, Nugent stepped to the plate with two runners on and blasted a 3-1 pitch over the left-field wall for a three-run homer.

The dugout erupted. The crowd stood as one. Nugent had delivered yet again.

“That moment was special,” Nugent said. “I wasn’t trying to do too much—just looking for a pitch to drive. When I saw it, I just reacted.”

It was Nugent’s 17th home run of the season and perhaps the most important to date. Beyond the scoreboard impact, it shifted the emotional tenor of the game. Tennessee had gone from holding a narrow lead to being firmly in command, up 4-1 with Mardjetko dealing.

Nugent, a transfer from Oklahoma who has brought championship experience to the Lady Vols, has served as the team’s emotional heartbeat all season. Her leadership behind the plate and her power at the plate have made her one of the most impactful players in the SEC.

“She’s been clutch for us all year,” Weekly said. “When the game’s on the line, Sophia wants to be the one at the plate. That’s what you want from your veterans.”

Tennessee’s Complete Team Identity

While Mardjetko and Nugent took center stage, Tennessee’s win was also the product of sharp defense, disciplined at-bats, and timely execution.

The Lady Vols opened the scoring in the first inning when Kiki Milloy reached on a walk, stole second, and came around to score on a hard-hit single by McKenna Gibson. It was a textbook Tennessee sequence: speed, aggression, and capitalization.

Later, after Nugent’s blast, Tennessee added two more insurance runs in the sixth on a two-run double from Katie Taylor, who has emerged as a key contributor in the bottom half of the lineup.

Defensively, Tennessee turned two double plays and flashed the leather across the diamond. Third baseman Zaida Puni made a diving snag in the fifth that drew a standing ovation and halted what could have been a rally for Virginia.

“The defense was incredible,” Mardjetko said. “Every time a ball was put in play, I trusted they’d make the play—and they did.”

The Lady Vols played error-free softball and were aggressive on the basepaths, showcasing the all-around approach that has become their trademark.

Historic Perspective: A Program Built for the Moment

With the win, Tennessee advanced to the NCAA Super Regionals for the third consecutive season and the 12th time in program history. Weekly, now in her 23rd season with the program, has led Tennessee to two national runner-up finishes and numerous Women’s College World Series appearances. This year’s squad is one of the most complete in recent memory.

The pitching staff, anchored by Mardjetko and seasoned righty Payton Gottshall, has been dominant down the stretch. The lineup, which features six hitters with double-digit home run totals, leads the SEC in slugging percentage and ranks top-five nationally in home runs.

This balance has propelled the Lady Vols to a 49-10 record and a No. 7 national seed—positioning them as a legitimate contender to return to Oklahoma City.

“Our goal from day one has been to win a national championship,” Weekly said. “That’s the bar here. And I believe this group is capable of doing it.”

Postseason Poise: Responding to Pressure

Tennessee’s road to the Super Regionals wasn’t without turbulence. After a relatively smooth opening win against Dayton, the Lady Vols faced a stiff challenge from Virginia in the winner’s bracket. That contest, a 3-2 extra-inning win, tested the team’s resolve and provided a glimpse into the Lady Vols’ grit.

Gottshall pitched a gem in that game, and Milloy’s walk-off double in the eighth inning delivered the dramatic finish.

“That game told us a lot about who we are,” Weekly said. “We didn’t panic. We stuck together. And we found a way.”

Against Virginia in the rematch, there was no need for late drama. Mardjetko and Nugent made sure of that.

Looking Ahead: A Super Regional Showdown Looms

Tennessee will now host a Super Regional at home in Knoxville, with a trip to the Women’s College World Series on the line. Their opponent? A red-hot Baylor squad that upset the No. 10 seed in their regional and brings a strong mix of speed and veteran pitching.

The matchup is expected to draw sell-out crowds at Lee Stadium, where Tennessee has been nearly unbeatable this season.

For Weekly and her staff, preparation will focus on discipline, execution, and managing the emotional swings that come with the postseason.

“This is where it gets even more fun,” Weekly said. “You’re down to the last 16. Every team left can win it all. We’ll be ready.”

Players to Watch Moving Forward

In addition to Mardjetko and Nugent, Tennessee fans will want to keep an eye on the following players during the Super Regionals:

• Kiki Milloy, CF – The All-American leadoff hitter sets the tone every game. Her power-speed combination is unmatched in college softball.
• Zaida Puni, 3B – A defensive stalwart with a strong bat, Puni brings consistency and veteran calmness.
• Katie Taylor, LF – The freshman has turned into a surprise weapon at the plate, delivering in key moments throughout the regional.

With a mix of seasoned veterans and fearless newcomers, Tennessee looks primed for another deep run.

A Team That Belongs

For the Tennessee faithful, Sunday’s win was more than just a step forward in the bracket—it was a reminder that the Lady Vols belong in the national championship conversation.

From Sage Mardjetko’s composed dominance in the circle to Sophia Nugent’s power in the box, Tennessee displayed all the ingredients of a title contender: elite pitching, explosive offense, and championship-level confidence.

As the Super Regionals approach, the message is clear—Tennessee is not just surviving in the postseason. They’re thriving.

“This is the team we believed we could be,” Nugent said. “And we’re not done yet.”