Oklahoma City, OK (AHN) - 'Abbott and Clay' may not have the same ring to it as the legendary surnames of beloved comedians Abbott and Costello, but the University of Tennessee pair of Monica Abbott and Alexia Clay made sure their respective names would be remembered on Tuesday morning after leading the Lady Vols to a solid 3-0 win over defending champion Arizona in the opening game of the Women's College World Series finals Monday.

Clay, a freshman who was making her first career start, said she was unusually calm before taking the field where she launched a solo home run to get the Lady Vols started.

"Surprisingly I was really relaxed," said Clay. "I was surprised how relaxed I was."

If Clay was good, Abbott was better.

Abbott threw her fourth consecutive shutout as Tennessee moved another win closer to its first national championship with Game 2 scheduled for Tuesday night. If the Vols win on Tuesday, they're the champs.

SEC player of the year, India Chiles had an RBI single and Shannon Doepking launched her own solo shot.

Abbott was overpowering in equaling the program's record for wins in a season (50) which she set in 2005. The Cy Young-like Abbott also extended her shutout streak to 33 consecutive innings.

"We've just seen a different kind of side to Monica right now. She's just really on," Clay said. "Her change-up, her rise ball, everything's working for her.

"She's throwing really good and really hard and trying to really keep batters off-balance, and she's doing a good job."

Arizona coach Mike Candrea said his hitters need to do a better job against arguably the NCAA's best female hurler ever.

"I want them to go out and play this game and play it hard, and whatever happens is going to happen," Candrea said. "But I'll guarantee you this team will not lay down and die. This team will come back and play."

Clay got her chance to start with the injured Chiles coming off the bench late.

Arizona center fielder Caitlin Lowe almost caught Clay's drive before she crashed nto the padded wall in center field.

Doepking's home run however, was a no-doubt-about-it shot to left field.

"I think we all know that it's not over till it's over, and we need to come out tomorrow because Arizona's a great team and they could take two games from us," Clay said.