University of Tennessee Athletics
Karlyn Pickens Tabbed Softball America Preseason All-American
January 07, 2025 | Softball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee right-handed pitcher Karlyn Pickens was recognized among the nation's best college softball players entering the 2025 season as one of 34 individuals named to Softball America's preseason All-America teams.
A consensus first-team All-American after a dominant sophomore campaign a year ago, Pickens has been named a preseason first-team honoree for the 2025 season.
The Weaverville, North Carolina, native enters her third year on Rocky Top as the unquestioned ace of Tennessee's pitching staff.
Pickens finished the 2024 season with a 22-7 record and an ERA of 1.12, en route to winning SEC Pitcher of the Year honors – joining Monica Abbott as the only Lady Vols to win the award.
She made 38 appearances last season – 27 starts – and tossed 15 complete games with 12 shutouts and a save. Over 188.1 innings pitched, the right-hander notched 225 strikeouts and held opposing hitters to a .156 batting average.
As a sophomore, Pickens posted an ERA of 1.12, leading the SEC and ranking third nationally. She also finished third in the SEC and 23rd in the nation in strikeouts per seven innings (8.4) and ranked third in the league and 18th in Division I with 22 victories.
On Monday, Softball America released its preseason Top 100 Players list, which included Pickens at No. 4. She was joined on the chart by teammates Taylor Pannell at No. 58 and Sage Mardjetko at No. 68.
2025 Tennessee Preseason Award Honors as of Jan. 7
P Sage Mardjetko
Softball America Top 100 – No. 68
INF/OF Taylor Pannell
Softball America Top 100 – No. 58
P Karlyn Pickens
Softball America First-Team All-American
Softball America Top 100 – No. 4
A consensus first-team All-American after a dominant sophomore campaign a year ago, Pickens has been named a preseason first-team honoree for the 2025 season.
The Weaverville, North Carolina, native enters her third year on Rocky Top as the unquestioned ace of Tennessee's pitching staff.
Pickens finished the 2024 season with a 22-7 record and an ERA of 1.12, en route to winning SEC Pitcher of the Year honors – joining Monica Abbott as the only Lady Vols to win the award.
She made 38 appearances last season – 27 starts – and tossed 15 complete games with 12 shutouts and a save. Over 188.1 innings pitched, the right-hander notched 225 strikeouts and held opposing hitters to a .156 batting average.
As a sophomore, Pickens posted an ERA of 1.12, leading the SEC and ranking third nationally. She also finished third in the SEC and 23rd in the nation in strikeouts per seven innings (8.4) and ranked third in the league and 18th in Division I with 22 victories.
On Monday, Softball America released its preseason Top 100 Players list, which included Pickens at No. 4. She was joined on the chart by teammates Taylor Pannell at No. 58 and Sage Mardjetko at No. 68.
2025 Tennessee Preseason Award Honors as of Jan. 7
P Sage Mardjetko
Softball America Top 100 – No. 68
INF/OF Taylor Pannell
Softball America Top 100 – No. 58
P Karlyn Pickens
Softball America First-Team All-American
Softball America Top 100 – No. 4
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