The Tennessee Lady Vols Softball team bounced back into the win column on Friday in the series opener against Auburn with a 5-2 win.

Freshman pitcher Cat Hosfield pitched a complete game for her 22^nd win of the season.

"It was a huge win," said head coach Ralph Weekly. "It was big for Cat. She's had some struggles in the past and it was a good night for her. It's a big win and I am proud of all of them."

Kelly Grieve got the Lady Vols offense rolling in the bottom of the first inning. After reaching base on a bunt single after a 10-pitch at bat, Grieve stole second and third base to move well into scoring position.

A few pitches later, Grieve was able to take home on a wild pitch and give Tennessee a lead it never relinquished.

A few batters later, Jen Lapicki tripled to score Tiffany Huff and Jessica Spigner, both of whom reached base with walks earlier.

"That helps a whole lot when we help each other out," said Hosfield. "I was getting outs and they got the runs. It worked out well."

In the second inning, Spigner hit a single that scored Lillian Hammond. Shelby Burchell pulled off another squeeze play to score Nicole Kajitani in the third, though it was less dramatic than the game winner last week.

Auburn was able to put two runs on the scoreboard in the sixth and seventh innings, but was unable to get any closer as Hosfield located several key pitches that led to 7 strikeouts.

"She's a great young pitcher," said Weekly. "This league is just brutal. Everyone in this league is really good. They're all high-school All-Americans. We're all just banged together in a great league."

Hosfield also got a strikeout in the third inning to end another bases loaded threat.

"I've been putting myself in those positions a whole bunch," said Hosfield. "I'm doing a lot better with staying calm and slowing everything down and just throwing my pitches."

Tennessee will finish the series with Auburn on Saturday in a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m.