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Zaida Puni gives Tennessee early lead over Florida State with home run in first

PeterWarrenPhoto2by:Peter Warren•06/05/23•

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Syndication: The Knoxville News-Sentinel
(Saul Young/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK)

Tennessee third baseman Zaida Puni opened the scoring in Monday’s Women’s College World Series semifinal matchup versus Florida State with a solo home run in the bottom of the first inning.

After Kiki Malloy roped a line drive out on the first pitch of the night from Mack Leonard, Puni deposited a 1-1 pitch over the right field fence.

The homer put Tennessee up 1-0 in the game. If the Volunteers win, it would force a winner-take-all game later in the night with a spot in the Women’s College World Series finals on the line.

It was the 14th home run of the season for Puni, who has been on fire during postseason play. She has now hit six homers during the postseason, including two multi-home run games.

During a press conference Sunday after the Volunteers won 3-1 over Oklahoma State, Puni had explained how exciting it was to be playing in the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City.

“It’s a different atmosphere obviously, but just being here, and our families in the stand, my family’s here, just seeing them when I walk out on the field is just cool,” Puni said. “I’m just so happy to be here, especially with this team. It was a long journey, but I wouldn’t want it to be with anybody else.”

Puni entered the game with a .365 batting average with a .466 on-base percentage, 13 home runs, 59 RBI, 14 doubles and 57 hits. She earned a spot on the 2023 All-SEC first team for her performance after making the All-SEC second team last season.

2023 SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year and All-SEC first team pitcher Ashley Rogers also discussed after the victory over the Cowboys her feelings about being able to play in such a unique atmosphere.

“It’s so cool,” Rogers said. “I feel like that’s what every little girl, every little softball player dreams about is coming out on this stage and playing. Just loving the opportunity. Just having this awesome opportunity to play with the amazing teammates that I have, it’s just so cool. I just want to cherish and savor every single moment, not take any moment for granted. Just be so thankful for the work that we’ve done and that God’s plan was for us to be here.”

Along with Rogers, Milloy and Puni, McKenna Gibson was the other Tennessee player to make the All-SEC first team this season.