KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - A grand slam from Caroline Stolle to end an epic battle at the plate lifted the Virginia Tech softball team to a 4-0 upset win over 13^th-seeded Tennessee Saturday afternoon at Lee Softball Field in the semifinals of the NCAA Knoxville Regional.

Tech loaded the bases in the second inning, but couldn't push anything across and then did the same in the fourth inning. Kelsey Hoffman reached on a fielder's choice and went to second base on Jessica Everhart's single before Hoffman was lifted for pinch runner Heather Lowry. Beth Walker came up with a hard single to left to load the bases with one out. After Whitney Davis struck out to put two outs on the board, Stolle stepped to the plate as she did in the second inning, when that at bat ended in a strike out.

The senior from Chester, Va., worked the count full by taking two balls on a 1-2 count before fouling off seven straight pitches to the left side. On one, the Hokies caught a break when Tennessee shortstop Kenora Posey over-ran a foul pop up, extending the at bat. Then, on the 13^th pitch of the at bat, Stolle crushed a Megan Rhodes' offering deep over the right-center field fence to send the Hokies streaming out of the dugout to meet her at home. For Stolle, it was her second home run of the season, but it couldn't have come at a bigger time.

Even with a four-run lead, All-American Angela Tincher (W, 35-6) had to work out of several jams created by the potent Lady Vol offense. After throwing 157 pitches in Friday's 10-inning win over Louisville, the senior from Eagle Rock, Va., was efficient in tossing 106 pitches Saturday. She scattered just three hits while walking one and striking out 14.

The game was televised nationally live by ESPN2, a first for the program. Tech is now 3-0 in television games this year, beating the US National Team 1-0 and NC State 2-0 in the ACC Championship game.

At the plate, Walker picked up two hits, making her 6-for-6 in Tech's three television games this year. Everhart, Hoffman and Stolle had the other three hits for the Hokies. Stolle also had the game-winning hit and RBI in Tech's win over the USA Team.

With the win, Tech (45-15) advances to Sunday's Regional final for the first time in four NCAA Tournament trips. The Hokies will have to wait until tonight to find out who they will play. Tennessee (48-15) will take on the winner of the Louisville/Winthrop game Saturday night. Whoever comes out of Saturday's action will have to beat the Hokies twice Sunday to advance to the NCAA Super Regionals.

The first game Sunday will begin at 1:30 p.m., with the "if necessary" game following immediately.