How Lady Vols' Haley Bearden went from light-hitting reserve to cleanup slugger

Haley Bearden always had the swing. She just needed to believe in it – and herself.

That’s not a problem these days.

In a year’s time, Bearden has gone from light-hitting reserve to cleanup slugger for Tennessee’s softball team.

Bearden added to her team-high home run total on Sunday, when she sent a two-run shot into the right-field bleachers as part of the Lady Vols’ 5-2 victory over Arkansas at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium.  It was her ninth home run of the season.

“I really have a lot of confidence this year, which is obviously really helpful,” said Bearden, a senior right fielder from Clarksville. “It’s going really well this year.

“I just stopped putting so much pressure on myself and just had some fun.”

No. 5 Tennessee (26-5, 4-2 SEC) took two of three games from No. 15 Arkansas (22-9, 4-5).

Haley Bearden is ‘trusting herself’

Bearden’s home run came as part of a four-run fifth inning.

Aubrey Leach reached on an error and scored on Jenna Holcomb’s triple that gave Tennessee a 2-1 lead. Chelsea Seggern singled to score Holcomb, and Bearden followed with her ninth home run of the season.

Tennessee outfielder Haley Bearden (11) is congratulated by teammates on her homer during a Lady Vols softball game against Arkansas at Sherri Parker Lee stadium on the University of Tennessee's campus in Knoxville Sunday, March 24, 2019. The Lady Vols defeated Arkansas.

“Haley has that capability. She always has,” Tennessee co-coach Karen Weekly said. “We’ve been seeing it in practice all four years she’s been here. It’s just a matter of Haley trusting herself and having the confidence. The coaches have always had confidence in Haley. It’s a matter of Haley having confidence in Haley and doing what Haley can do.”

Bearden entered the season with one career home run and a .159 batting average. After going 2 for 3 on Sunday, she’s batting .347.

Tennessee outfielder Haley Bearden (11) throws the ball in during a Lady Vols softball game against Arkansas at Sherri Parker Lee stadium on University of Tennessee's campus in Knoxville Sunday, March 24, 2019. The Lady Vols defeated Arkansas.

“She just has the greatest attitude,” UT senior pitcher Matty Moss said. “Haley is literally the greatest teammate ever. Just to see her hit the crap out of the ball like she’s been doing, it’s so awesome. It makes me excited.”

Matty Moss key in relief again

Moss earned the victory by limiting Arkansas to one run in four innings of relief of starter Ashley Rogers. Moss had three of her five strikeouts in the seventh inning.

Moss pitched in relief in each game of the series. She earned the save in Friday’s 6-4 victory.

Moss made 65 starts in her first three seasons, but 13 of her 18 appearances this year have been in relief. She’s been invaluable.

Tennessee pitcher Matty Moss (1) celebrates with teammates after winning a Lady Vols softball game against Arkansas at Sherri Parker Lee stadium on University of Tennessee's campus in Knoxville Sunday, March 24, 2019. The Lady Vols defeated Arkansas.

“I really enjoy it. I think it’s kind of fun,” Moss said. “It’s definitely pressure situations, which are fun as a pitcher. Anytime one of our starters – Caylan (Arnold) or Ashley – needs me to come in, I’m ready.”

Weekly said Moss reinvented herself during the offseason by adding some new pitches to her repertoire.

“As you go through the league for four years, you have to show something different each year,” Weekly said. “Other teams are seeing different things out of Matty this year, and that’s what’s making her effective.”

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Tennessee outfielder Haley Bearden (11) is congratulated my teammates on her homer during a Lady Vols softball game against Arkansas at Sherri Parker Lee stadium on University of Tennessee's campus in Knoxville Sunday, March 24, 2019. The Lady Vols defeated Arkansas.