FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Graduate pitcher Ashley Rogers tossed a two-hit gem Saturday at Bogle Park as the third-ranked Lady Vols took game one against No. 12 Arkansas, 3-1.

Tennessee (39-5, 17-2 SEC) collected four hits off Arkansas ace Chenise Delce en route to its ninth straight win.

Scoreless through four innings, shortstop Mackenzie Donihoo provided the game's first run in the fifth as she hit her fifth homer of the year - a solo shot - over the wall in right to put UT up 1-0.

Arkansas (35-14, 11-8 SEC) responded in the home half of the frame with a run of its own to tie the game at 1-1. With two away, the Razorbacks' Atalyia Rijo roped a double to right to bring Reagan Johnson to the plate.

Johnson knocked a 1-2 pitch into center that sent Rijo racing for home. Centerfielder Kiki Milloy scooped up the ball and threw a laser to catcher Giulia Koutsoyanopulos waiting at the plate who caught the ball and laid a clean tag to Rijo before she slid into home.

Arkansas challenged the call which was overturned with Koutsoyanopulos being called for obstruction of the plate - giving the Razorbacks the game-tying run.

After a hit by pitch and a walk put Milloy and Lair Beautae on base in the sixth, junior Zaida Puni laced a two-out single into right to score Milloy. A throwing error by Arkansas' first baseman allowed Beautae to come home on the play - putting Tennessee up 3-1.

Rogers finished out the final two innings - needing only four pitches in the seventh - to close out the victory. The righty tossed a complete game - her eighth this season - and allowed just one run on two hits and three walks.

The Athens, Tennessee, native fanned seven Hogs on Saturday to improve to 14-1 on the year.

Delce went the distance for Arkansas in the circle, surrendering three runs on four hits and a walk. The right-hander struck out four batters but fell to 18-6 with the loss.

UP NEXT
Tennessee and Arkansas are back for game two of the series on Sunday, starting at 1 p.m. ET. The game will air nationally on ESPN2. Fans can also listen to the Voice of Tennessee Softball, Brian Rice, call the action on the Vol Network via a free audio stream on UTSports.com and the Tennessee Athletics Gameday App.