Freshmen led the way for Tennessee in its home opener of the 2009 season. The Lady Vols Softball team (15-1) chilled the Flames (0-6) on a cold day, 11-1 in five innings.

Jessica Spinger was the hot bat for Tennessee, as the freshman third baseman had a RBI in each of her three at bats. Doubles brought home a runner in her first two at bats and Spinger had a homerun in the third inning.

Spinger leads the Lady Vols with 6 homeruns on the season.

Freshman pitcher Cat Hosfield earned her 11^th win on the young season. Hosfield had four strikeouts while allowing no runs, one hit, and one walk in four innings of work.

"We always want to come out strong in each game," said Hosfield.  "I thought we did a good job of coming out and attacking Liberty today right from the start offensively and from the circle.  We've been away from home for a long time, so being able to play our first game in our home stadium was a lot of fun for us."

Dee Dee Fryer had a monster homerun to start the third inning for Tennessee. The freshman designated-hitter had two hits and a walk on the day for the Lady Vols.

"Jessica Spigner picked up right where she left off in California last weekend," said Lady Vol co-head coach Karen Weekly "Dee Dee Fryer in particular had some really good at-bats."

Junior Tiffany Huff had the biggest swing of the game in the third inning, hitting a three-run homerun to right-center field. Huff had five RBIs on the game, with two more coming on a double in the second.

"Tiffany Huff continues to provide our team with a lot of leadership while coming up with clutch hits with runners in scoring position," said Weekly. "I thought both Cat Hosfield and Ashton Ward improved today pitching-wise."

Ward pitched the fifth inning for Tennessee, giving up one run on two hits.

The win against Liberty was Tennessee's 13^th straight on the young season.

"Our team came out committed to attack Liberty from the start," said Weekly. "I am very pleased with our approach at the plate and how aggressive our mindset was offensively."

The Lady Vols will host the Tennessee Classic this weekend. The Lady Vols will play Friday against Bowling Green and James Madison. Saturday Tennessee will play North Dakota State and North Carolina. They will host Marshall Sunday.