Scarlet McSwain 'made a personal decision' not to join Lady Vols for Super Regional

Dan Fleser | Knoxville

Show Caption Hide Caption Tennessee believes its different softball team since last playing Georgia Tennessee lost of two of three games to Georgia earlier this season during what was a low point in its season

Home runs played a big part in Tennessee’s Super Regional at Georgia last weekend, and the Lady Vols were missing one of their power hitters.

Outfielder Scarlet McSwain wasn’t available for either NCAA softball tournament game in Athens, Ga. UT co-head coach Ralph Weekly said Tuesday that the senior “made a personal decision not to accompany the team.”

McSwain and catcher Abby Lockman, who each hit eight home runs, were tied for second on the team behind senior shortstop Meghan Gregg, who hit 18.

Consecutive homers by Georgia’s Alyssa DiCarlo and Alysen Febrey turned out to be the difference in the Bulldogs’ 4-3 victory on Friday. Cortni Emanuel’s eighth-inning homer broke a tie in Georgia’s 2-1 clincher on Saturday.

The Lady Vols, who finished 48-14, didn’t hit a homer in either game.

McSwain played in 55 games this season and started 47. She was one of four players to hit a homer in a 12-3 victory over James Madison during an NCAA regional the previous weekend at Lee Stadium. Her two-run homer in the bottom of the second inning erased the Dukes’ only lead of the game.

McSwain was third on the team in RBIs with 37 and had a .267 batting average.

Despite losing Gregg and McSwain, Weekly isn’t anticipating a power drain for next season. Lockman and third baseman Chelsea Seggern return. Seggern hit seven home runs this season and was among the nation’s leaders in RBIs with 66.

Freshmen Ashley Morgan and Amanda Ayala showed potential at the plate. UT’s signees, who comprise a recruiting class that was ranked No. 2 nationally, likely will supply some punch as well. Ally Shipman, Gracie Osbron and Kaili Phillips all have power in their profiles.

“I really think we’ll have a good year,” Weekly said. “I’m looking forward to next year.”

More: Georgia ousts Lady Vols from Super Regional, advances to Women's College World Series

More: Tennessee Lady Vols softball face elimination after 4-3 loss to Georgia

Seeking more pitching depth

In reviewing the season, which ended short of the Women’s College World Series for a third consecutive year, fellow co-head coach Karen Weekly said, “We thought we had more pitching than it turned out.”

Pitchers Caylan Arnold and Matty Moss logged a combined 354 of Tennessee's 395⅔ innings this season. Moss battled tonsil-related illnesses, which diminished her effectiveness.

Although Moss had only allowed three hits, the coaches didn’t second guess the decision to pull the junior right-hander in the seventh inning of Saturday’s game against Georgia. Ralph Weekly said the velocity of Moss’ pitches was beginning to drop.

More: Lady Vols softball pitcher Matty Moss feeling good about herself for Super Regional

“I think with Matty, so much of her persona as a pitcher is power and speed,” Karen Weekly said. “If she doesn’t feel like she’s popping the ball, she tends to overthrow. Then the ball comes back over the plate.”

The Lady Vols hope that left-hander Gabby Sprang overcomes the control issues that limited her to 17 appearances and 35 innings during her freshman season.

The signing class includes highly regarded pitcher Ashley Rogers of Meigs County High School.

Gregg wins Senior CLASS Award

Gregg was named the Senior CLASS Award winner in softball on Wednesday. The winner is selected based on achievements in the community, classroom, character and competition. Former UT shortstop Madison Shipman was the recipient in 2014.

"The four areas that this award highlights have all been achieved because of the core values of the Tennessee softball program," Gregg said in a school release. "Living by the core values of Servant Warrior, Competitor, Integrity, Passion, Respect and Preparation, my teammates and I have grown into women of great character and esteem. I'm very grateful for the opportunities I've been given by being a part of such a prestigious program. I feel that I am confident and ready for the next chapter of my life because my coaches, Ralph and Karen Weekly, have prepared me for my future career."