TEXAS A&M at TENNESSEE
NCAA softball super regionalBest-of-three series — if necessaryToday: 6 p.m. (ESPN2)Saturday: 5 p.m. (ESPN2) Sunday: 3 p.m. (ESPN)
KNOXVILLE - Texas A&M pitchers won't need to double-check their scouting reports to remember the danger Tennessee's Meghan Gregg presents.
There was plenty at stake when Tennessee's softball team, aided by a Gregg grand slam, won a weekend series at Texas A&M this month. There's even more at stake now.
That Southeastern Conference series victory helped the Volunteers secure the eighth overall seed in the NCAA postseason, and that's why - instead of traveling - Tennessee will host a best-of-three super regional against the Aggies that begins tonight.
The winner advances to next week's Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City.
"It's so much fun playing at home," Gregg said. "We have such a great fan base. We're comfortable here. I just think that makes us even more pumped up, having everyone here supporting us."
Playing a familiar opponent brings a certain level of comfort, too, but the Vols (47-10) expect a battle with the ninth-seeded Aggies (45-10). Texas A&M advanced to super regionals with an undefeated run through the College Station regional last weekend. Tennessee was undefeated in the Knoxville regional.
"I really think when you get to the postseason, everything that happened in the season is behind you," Tennessee co-head coach Karen Weekly said. It's 0-0. The fact that we played them down there and won two out of three doesn't mean much to me, because every game was extremely close. They're a very good team. They're the best-hitting team we saw all year."
Texas A&M's Tori Vidales homered four times in the earlier series, but Tennessee's young pitching duo - sophomore Matty Moss and freshman Caylan Arnold - found its stride last weekend as the NCAA postseason began.
"I think we're doing some things better now," Weekly said. "But we want to go to the world series, and they do, too. So it's going to be a tough matchup."
A big weekend for Gregg could improve her chances of being named the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year. The junior shortstop was announced as one of three finalists this week, along with James Madison pitcher Megan Good and Florida pitcher Kelly Barnhill. The winner will be announced Tuesday.
Gregg, announced Thursday afternoon as an Academic All-American, has 77 RBIs this year and is tied for the program's single-season record with Kristi Durant (2005) and Bridget Jackson (1996). In the time since the record was previously set, the NCAA has started more strictly enforcing rules that limit the number of games teams can play in a season.
"She is going to set that record in much fewer contests (than the previous record-holders)," Weekly said. "That just shows how she prepares, is ready to play every day, and she is a very mature hitter who understands getting her pitch and not leaving the zone. She also appreciates everyone getting on base in front of her and giving her that opportunity."
Contact David Cobb at dcobb@timesfreepress.com.