The Lady Vols took on UTEP Wednesday night with redemption on their minds after losing a series to Mississippi State over the weekend.

It ended up being a struggle in which Tennessee (27-8) failed to generate much offense against UTEP (21-18) pitching but was able to execute one of the most exciting plays in softball to win 3-2.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, Tiffany Huff was on third base and Shelby Burchell dropped the perfect bunt. Huff had a great jump and executed the squeeze play to perfection.

"I knew Shelby would do it," said Huff. "I was just thinking not to leave early because the umpire was right behind me on third. I just thought don't leave early and run fast."

The walk-off run broke the 2-2 tie, giving the Lady Vols the lead for the first time in the game, and more importantly, the win.

"It was exactly where I wanted to be," said Burchell. "I'm glad I had the opportunity and that the team had the confidence in me to be able to do it."

In the previous inning, the tandem started the comeback from a 2-0 deficit. Huff was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. After Jessica Spigner drew a walk, Burchell hit a single to left-center that scored Huff from second base.

"It was really big to come together as a team and do it throughout the lineup and finish it out late in the game," said Huff. "It was huge. We were working on relaxing today, and it seemed like the perfect day to do that.

"UTEP is a very good team," said head coach Ralph Weekly. "They defeated the defending national champions, Arizona State. They really had me questioning scheduling them for this midweek game. I was really proud of the kids today and Shelby for coming through with the key hits."

Later in the inning, Spigner tied the game at two when Jen Lapicki singled.

Cat Hosfield had a much more productive outing against UTEP, keeping the game close while the offense struggled in the early innings.

"There pitching was really good," said Weekly. "I spoke with Arizona earlier in the week and they said that you had to figure out the pitching for a chance to win."

Hosfield pitched the complete seven innings, giving up only six hits while striking out six as well. The win was Hosfield's 19^th of the season and her 12^th complete game.

UTEP took the lead in the third inning with a walk and a couple of singles. Shea Lodes also hit a homerun for UTEP in the sixth inning.

"They hit a lot of homeruns and our goal was to keep the ball in on them," said Weekly. "One time (Hosfield) let it get out and they parked it."

This weekend, the Lady Vols will take on LSU in Baton Rouge in a three-game series.