University of Tennessee Athletics
Karlyn Pickens Named NFCA and SEC Pitcher of the Week
April 01, 2025 | Softball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens has been named the National Fastpitch Coaches Association and SEC Pitcher of the Week, following a spectacular week that included three ranked victories over No. 14 Arkansas and No. 2 Oklahoma. This marks the first time since 2017 that a Tennessee player has earned a national weekly honor.
The junior flamethrower was dominant in the circle, posting a 1.65 ERA with 18 strikeouts and just five walks across 17 innings of work. She started one game and made two relief appearances. On March 24, she delivered a strong performance in relief against Arkansas, tossing 4.1 hitless and scoreless innings, with six strikeouts and two walks. In that outing, she made history by hitting a blistering 78.2 MPH pitch in the sixth inning, surpassing Monica Abbott's previous National Pro Fastpitch record of 77 MPH set in 2012 with the Chicago Bandits.
In the series opener against Oklahoma, Pickens earned a win in relief, throwing the final 5.2 innings of an eight-inning thriller. She allowed six hits, one earned run, and struck out six while walking none. Pickens capped her week with a complete-game victory in the series finale, where she tossed seven innings, allowing four hits and three earned runs while striking out six and walking three.
Her two wins over OU helped lead the Lady Vols to a series win in Norman, becoming just the third team since 2006 to accomplish the feat.
The junior flamethrower was dominant in the circle, posting a 1.65 ERA with 18 strikeouts and just five walks across 17 innings of work. She started one game and made two relief appearances. On March 24, she delivered a strong performance in relief against Arkansas, tossing 4.1 hitless and scoreless innings, with six strikeouts and two walks. In that outing, she made history by hitting a blistering 78.2 MPH pitch in the sixth inning, surpassing Monica Abbott's previous National Pro Fastpitch record of 77 MPH set in 2012 with the Chicago Bandits.
In the series opener against Oklahoma, Pickens earned a win in relief, throwing the final 5.2 innings of an eight-inning thriller. She allowed six hits, one earned run, and struck out six while walking none. Pickens capped her week with a complete-game victory in the series finale, where she tossed seven innings, allowing four hits and three earned runs while striking out six and walking three.
Her two wins over OU helped lead the Lady Vols to a series win in Norman, becoming just the third team since 2006 to accomplish the feat.
Players Mentioned
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