Zaida Puni drives in six runs as Lady Vols defeat Arkansas

Zaida Puni drives in six runs as Tennessee softball defeats Arkansas.

Zaida Puni helped No. 14 Tennessee salvage the final contest of its three-game Southeastern Conference series against Arkansas Sunday.

Puni, the Lady Vols’ sophomore third baseman, drove in all of UT’s runs in a 6-2 victory over No. 12 Arkansas (19-5, 2-1 SEC) at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium.

Puni, a native of Carson, California, went 2-for-4 with an RBI double and a grand slam home run to lift the Lady Vols (20-8, 3-2 SEC) past Arkansas.

She had an RBI double in the first inning, extending Tennessee’s advantage to 5-0 with a grand slam in the second off former Lady Vol Callie Turner.

Puni drove in Tennessee’s final run with an RBI groundout in the sixth inning.

The Razorbacks tallied twice in the sixth inning as KB Sides scored when Taylor Ellsworth grounded into a double play. Danielle Gibson hit a solo home run.

Lady Vols’ Erin Edmoundson (13-2) pitched a complete game. She yielded two runs, six hits and one walk, while striking out six.

Zaida Puni signs with Tennessee

Zaida Puni signs with Tennessee softball.

The University of Tennessee softball team and head coach Karen Weekly have landed a transfer from Oklahoma.

Zaida Puni, a sophomore and native of Carson, California, was a member of the Sooners’ 2021 College World Series championship team.

She played in 15 games for Oklahoma last season and batted .357, going 5-for-14 in limited action for the Sooners.

Puni recorded three doubles, six RBIs and six runs during her freshman campaign in Norman, Oklahoma.

In California, Puni, a graduate of St. Anthony’s High School, played travel softball for the Orange County Batbusters.

During her junior season in 2019, Puni batted .382 with 31 hits, 27 RBIs, 26 stolen bases and 16 home runs.

[vertical-gallery id=34932]

Zaida Puni signs with Tennessee

Zaida Puni signs with Tennessee softball.

The University of Tennessee softball team and head coach Karen Weekly have landed a transfer from Oklahoma.

Zaida Puni, a sophomore and native of Carson, California, was a member of the Sooners’ 2021 College World Series championship team.

She played in 15 games for Oklahoma last season and batted .357, going 5-for-14 in limited action for the Sooners.

Puni recorded three doubles, six RBIs and six runs during her freshman campaign in Norman, Oklahoma.

In California, Puni, a graduate of St. Anthony’s High School, played travel softball for the Orange County Batbusters.

During her junior season in 2019, Puni batted .382 with 31 hits, 27 RBIs, 26 stolen bases and 16 home runs.

[vertical-gallery id=34932]