The Tennessee Lady Vols are in the Women’s College World Series. They will start their pursuit of a title on May 28 against defending Texas in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. A major reason for the Lady Vols’ success is pitcher Karlyn Pickens. She is 15-7 with a 1.53 ERA. In 132.1 innings, Pickens has struck out 180 batters.
The 6-foot-1 righthander from Weaverville, North Carolina, has a career 69-32 mark with 53 complete games, 784 strikeouts in 614.1 innings. She was the No. 1 overall pick by the Carolina Blaze in the 2026 Athletes Unlimited Softball League draft.
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Pickens was named the 2025 Softball America National Pitcher of the Year and is a two-time SEC Pitcher of the Year (2024, 2025). She is also a two-time consensus First Team All-American, earning recognition from NFCA, D1Softball and Softball America in back-to-back seasons.
Pickens has played a key role in Tennessee’s team success, helping lead the Lady Vols to two prior Women’s College World Series appearances (2023, 2025), including trips to the national semifinals in both seasons.
Karlyn Pickens
Tennessee Lady Vols sophomore pitcher Karlyn Pickens.
Karlyn Pickens
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens puts her arms out after getting a strikeout to end the inning during a NCAA softball game between Tennessee and Duke.
Karlyn Pickens
Tennessee softball player Karlyn Pickens throws a ceremonial first pitch during a minor baseball game between the Knoxville Smokies and Columbus Clingstones.
Karlyn Pickens
Tennessee Lady Volunteers pitcher Karlyn Pickens (23) throws a pitch in the first inning against the UCLA Bruins.
Karlyn Pickens
Karlyn Pickens is Knox News’ Sportsperson of the Year.
Karlyn Pickens
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens pitches during a NCAA softball game between Tennessee and South Carolina.
Karlyn Pickens
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens pitches.
Karlyn Pickens
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens blows a kiss to her teammates while being presented a golden ticket to the AUSL draft by former Olympic softball player Jennie Finch.
Karlyn Pickens
Former Olympic softball player Jennie Finch presents Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens (23) with a golden ticket to the AUSL draft.
Karlyn Pickens
Tennessee’s Karlyn Pickens pitches against Alabama batter.
Karlyn Pickens
Tennessee’s Karlyn Pickens (23) acknowledges catcher Elsa Morrison (22) after striking out an Alabama batter.
Karlyn Pickens
Erin Nuwer, Karlyn Pickens and Sage Mardjetko join coach Karen Weekly of Tennessee.
Karlyn Pickens
Tennessee’s Karlyn Pickens (23) and Elsa Morrison (22) celebrate after the win over Georgia.
Karlyn Pickens
Tennessee softball pitcher Karlyn Pickens prepares to throw out the first pitch to start the Banana Ball game between the Savannah Bananas and Texas Tailgaters.
Karlyn Pickens
Karlyn Pickens of Tennessee.
This article originally appeared on The List Wire: Tennessee Lady Vols softball star Karlyn Pickens
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: Sports.yahoo.com
