The Tennessee Lady Vols softball team extended its win streak to 12 games with a 1-0 win over Tennessee Tech on Wednesday. Ashton Ward came entered the game in the second inning in relief of Megan Rhodes to earn her 12^th win of the season.

"Ashton Ward was absolutely fantastic," said co-head coach Ralph Weekly. "She came in and did a really good job. They are a very good hitting team and their lead-off hitter Beth Boden hit 25 homeruns last year and she shut her down."

Rhodes had three walks in a little more than an inning, before Ward the game. The freshman took control, grabbing the win with nine strikeouts and only two hits and an intentional walk allowed in six innings of work.

"We get ready the first inning no matter what happens," said Ward. "Some teams react differently to different pitching. I was ready"

Tonya Callahan broke a scoreless tie in the fifth inning with a two out blooper to shallow centerfield that scored Kenora Posey from second. Posey advanced to second on a steal after being walked earlier in the inning.

"It definitely wasn't my hardest hit," said Callahan. "I'll take it. I got lucky."

The RBI puts Callahan within five of the all-time Lady Vols' record currently held by three-time All-American Kristi Durant.

"I think Kristi Durant is the best pure hitter that's ever played," said Weekly. "I didn't think that record would ever be broken. For her to break that record soon, it's just a tribute to Tonya."

UT only had five hits in the game and blew a chance early to put a run on the scoreboard when Posey was caught off third base on an infield ground ball.

"I was very disappointed in the way we played tonight," said Weekly. "I don't think we executed very well. We knew that Tech was a really tough team. We knew that they beat Alabama and Cal last year in the regionals. I felt like we went through the motions. We should have executed."

Ward was forced to fight through a tough sixth inning to preserve the one-run lead.

An infield single left the bases loaded with two outs after a Tech double and an intentional walk earlier in the inning. Ward then earned her biggest strikeout of the evening to end the threat.

"I just took it one batter at a time," said Ward. "There is always pressure but it is not as bad when you have a great defense behind you. It's good for us to pitch knowing we don't have a big lead and to be able to work your way out of things."

The seventh inning was smooth sailing for Ward as she added two more strikeouts to earn the win for the Lady Vols.

Next up for the Lady Vols will be a three-game series at Alabama. UT will play the Crimson Tide twice on Saturday and finish up the series on Sunday.