Softball Preview: 2024 Tennessee Invitational & Howard

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 8 Tennessee is back home this weekend as it welcomes Missouri State, Ohio State and South Dakota to Sherri Parker Lee Stadium for the 2024 Tennessee Invitational – running March 8-10.

On Monday, March 11, the Lady Vols will fly to Washington, D.C., to play Howard at 6 p.m. ET.

A full Tennessee Invitational tournament schedule can be seen below:

FRIDAY, MARCH 8
G1: 10:00 a.m. – Ohio State vs. Missouri State
G2: 12:30 p.m. – South Dakota vs. Ohio State
G3: 3:00 p.m. – Tennessee vs. Missouri State
G4: 5:30 p.m. – Tennessee vs. South Dakota

SATURDAY, MARCH 9
G5: 10:00 a.m. – Missouri State vs. South Dakota
G6: 12:30 p.m. – Tennessee vs. Ohio State
G7: 3:00 p.m. – No. 1 seed vs. No. 4 seed
G8: 5:30 p.m. – No. 2 seed vs. No. 3 seed

SUNDAY, MARCH 10
G9: 11:00 a.m. – Loser G7 vs. Loser G8
G10: 1:30 p.m. – Winner G7 vs. Winner G8

BROADCAST INFO
All Tennessee games throughout the weekend will be available to stream on SEC Network+ or through the WatchESPN app.

All streaming, live stats and radio links can be found by visiting the Tennessee softball schedule page at UTSports.com.

NOTABLE
AIN'T NO REST FOR THE WICKED
Tennessee played six games over four days and enters the weekend riding a six-game win streak. The Lady Vols played doubleheaders this past Saturday and Sunday, followed by one game Monday afternoon.

The Big Orange then hopped on a bus a drove down to Clemson for a Tuesday afternoon top-10 showdown. Tennessee came out victorious in a gritty 2-1 extra innings pitcher's duel.

Back home this weekend, UT is set to play five games against Ohio State, Missouri State and South Dakota. The Lady Vols will then take a quick flight to Washington, D.C., to play Howard on Monday, March 11.

PICKING UP STEAM
Sophomore Karlyn Pickens is picking up steam in the circle – winning four games over four days. The Weaverville, North Carolina, native started two games and tossed a pair of complete game shutouts. She came out of the bullpen to mark her two other appearances – earning two more victories.

Over 20.2 innings of work, the right-hander did not allow a run and held opposing batters to just six hits, while surrendering only five walks. Pickens notched 22 strikeouts and had a batting average against of .091.

GETTING HOT
As the weather heats up, so is graduate Kiki Milloy. Tennessee's all-time home runs leader was 10-for-16 (.625) at the plate this past weekend with four home runs and seven RBIs. A five-tool player, she added seven stolen bases to her impressive series.

CHASING MORE HISTORY
Having already become Tennessee's home run queen, Milloy now has her sights set on breaking more records in her final season on Rocky Top. Below is a listing of the career marks she is chasing down.

Stolen Bases

Raven Chavanne – 143
Kiki Milloy – 130

Runs Scored

Aubrey Leach – 255
Raven Chavanne – 244
Lindsay Schutzler – 241
Kiki Milloy – 226

Total Bases

Aubrey Leach – 255
Raven Chavanne – 244
Lindsay Schutzler – 241
Kiki Milloy – 226

SCOUTING MISSOURI STATE
Head Coach (Record at Missouri State): Holly Hesse (906-866-2)

2024 Record: 3-9

Series Record: Tennessee leads 3-1

Last Meeting: W, 8-0 (5) on Feb. 14, 2004 in Las Cruces, New Mexico

SCOUTING OHIO STATE
Head Coach (Record at Ohio State): Kelly Kovach Schoenly (344-212-1)

2024 Record: 8-4

Series Record: Tennessee leads 3-0

Last Meeting: W, 12-4 on May 18, 2019 in Knoxville

SCOUTING SOUTH DAKOTA
Head Coach (Record at South Dakota): Kelly Kovach Schoenly (344-212-1)

2024 Record: 8-4

Series Record: Tennessee leads 1-0

Last Meeting: W, 5-0 on Feb. 9, 2013 in St. George, Utah

SCOUTING HOWARD
Head Coach (Record at Howard): Tori Tyson (105-119)

2024 Record: 15-5

Series Record: Tennessee leads 1-0

Last Meeting: W, 21-1 (5) on Feb. 10, 2023 in Clearwater, Florida

UP NEXT
SEC play begins for the Lady Vols when they return home March 15-17 to play host to Missouri.