UT in the WCWS finals for the first time!

Tennessee moves on to the NCAA WCWS:

No. 1 and fifth-seeded Tennessee's (62-6) perfect roll through the Women's College World Series continued in front of 6,949 fans at the ASA Hall of Fame Stadium on Sunday afternoon as the Lady Vols defeated No. 6 and second-seeded Northwestern (52-13), 3-0, to secure the program's first ever berth in the WCWS Championship Series.

Big Orange pitcher Monica Abbott (49-3) continued her outstanding efforts in the circle by striking out 17 Wildcats in a two-hit shutout to advance her scoreless skein to 26.2 frames dating back to last weekend's NCAA Super Regional finale versus No. 12 Hawai'i. The Salinas, Calif., native became the first hurler in NCAA Division I history to cross the 2,400-K mark, now sitting at a staggering 2,414 strikeouts.

In addition to playing her first game in the outfield since May 19, senior left fielder India Chiles continued her impressive contributions for the Lady Vol offense with a 1-for-3 effort at the plate, a run scored and her 44th stolen base. Fellow senior Lindsay Schutzler also went 1-for-3 with a run, freshman right fielder Tiffany Huff delivered a 1-for-3 performance with an RBI and junior first baseman Tonya Callahan hit into a wild fielder's choice that plated UT's initial tally.

Abbott exerted her dominance immediately from the circle in the top of the first inning by striking out Northwestern center fielder Katie Logan, shortstop Tammy Williams and first baseman Garland Cooper to K the side for the 117th time during the 2007 season.