Taylor Pannell was the hero for Tennessee softball in the series opener against Auburn.

The redshirt sophomore has been the best hitter for the Lady Vols this spring, and she showed it on April 17 at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium.

No. 4 Tennessee fell behind by two runs in the sixth inning. The Lady Vols immediately responded with home runs from Sophia Nugent and Gabby Leach to tie it up in the bottom of the sixth. Then Tennessee ace Karlyn Pickens, who threw six strikeouts, kept the score tied to set it up for Pannell in the bottom of the seventh.

LADY VOLS WIN!!

Taylor Pannell walks it off!

Lady Vols 4, Tigers 2

🎥 @SECNetworkpic.twitter.com/gtD3Tuom6F

— Tennessee Softball (@Vol_Softball) April 17, 2025

Kinsey Fiedler drew a walk before Pannell stepped to the plate. With a 2-0 count, Pannell took a swing and sent the ball sailing over the center field wall to walk it off for Tennessee. Pannell’s two-run homer gave the Lady Vols (35-9, 10-6 SEC) a 4-2 to open the series against Auburn (27-18, 4-15).

It was Pannell’s 14th home run of the season, which leads the team. She also leads the team in batting average (.447), doubles (10), RBIs (49), slugging percentage (.866) and on base percentage (.546).

Pannell was crucial in Tennessee’s road upset of then-No. 1 Texas last weekend. She went 4-for-6 with one run and three walks in the series.

Pannell was an All-SEC first team selection last season as a redshirt freshman. Pannell hit .342 in SEC play as a freshman and logged eight home runs and 33 RBIs on the season.

Cora Hall covers University of Tennessee women’s athletics. Email her at cora.hall@knoxnews.com and follow her on X @corahalll. If you enjoy Cora’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that allows you to access all of it.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: WATCH: Taylor Pannell hits walk-off home run for Tennessee softball vs Auburn