University of Tennessee Athletics
Five Lady Vols Named NFCA Mid-Atlantic All-Region
May 15, 2025 | Softball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The National Fastpitch Coaches Association announced its all-region teams Thursday, with five Lady Vols earning Mid-Atlantic All-Region honors. Sophia Nugent, Taylor Pannell and Karlyn Pickens were named to the first team, while McKenna Gibson and Kinsey Fiedler earned third-team accolades.
The All-Region awards recognize softball student-athletes from the NFCA's 10 regions with first-, second- and third-team selections. NFCA member head coaches in each respective region nominated student-athletes and voted on the teams. All honorees are now eligible for the 2025 NFCA Division I All-America squads.
Sophia Nugent • C • Sr. • Seal Beach, California
Nugent has delivered a breakout season for the Lady Vols, setting career highs in hits (43), home runs (14) and RBIs (51), along with a career-best .303 batting average entering the NCAA tournament. This marks the senior catcher's first All-Region honor.
Taylor Pannell • INF • R-So. • Milan, Illinois
A redshirt sophomore, Pannell has emerged as a key contributor in Tennessee's lineup. She has posted career-best marks in runs (48), hits (64), doubles (11), triples (2), home runs (15), RBIs (61), walks (30) and batting average (.413). A two-time All-SEC first-team selection, this is her first All-Region recognition.
Karlyn Pickens • P • Jr. • Weaverville, North Carolina
Pickens, a two-time SEC Pitcher of the Year, ranks third nationally with a 0.92 ERA and holds a 20-8 record. The junior right-hander has tallied a career-high 231 strikeouts over 174.1 innings, while holding opponents to a .168 batting average. In 34 appearances, including 25 starts, she has thrown 19 complete games and six shutouts. This is her second consecutive first-team All-Region selection.
McKenna Gibson • INF • Sr. • Santa Clarita, California
Despite missing two weeks during the regular season, Gibson provided a steady presence in the middle of the order. The senior infielder hit .313 with 10 home runs and 39 RBIs. This is her second career All-Region honor, following a first-team selection in 2023.
Kinsey Fiedler • OF • Sr. • Lee's Summit, Missouri
A first-year Lady Vol, Fiedler made an immediate impact in her lone season on Rocky Top. The senior outfielder batted .357 with 46 runs scored, 55 hits, seven doubles, eight triples, two home runs and 36 RBIs. Her eight triples tie the single-season program record. This is her first All-Region accolade.
Since 1997, the Lady Vols have produced 93 All-Region selections from 49 different student-athletes.
Tennessee opens NCAA tournament play at home this weekend, hosting the Knoxville Regional for the 20th consecutive year at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium. The Lady Vols welcome Ohio State, North Carolina and Miami (Ohio) to the postseason showcase. UT opens regional play against the RedHawks on Friday at 1:30 p.m. ET.
The All-Region awards recognize softball student-athletes from the NFCA's 10 regions with first-, second- and third-team selections. NFCA member head coaches in each respective region nominated student-athletes and voted on the teams. All honorees are now eligible for the 2025 NFCA Division I All-America squads.
Sophia Nugent • C • Sr. • Seal Beach, California
Nugent has delivered a breakout season for the Lady Vols, setting career highs in hits (43), home runs (14) and RBIs (51), along with a career-best .303 batting average entering the NCAA tournament. This marks the senior catcher's first All-Region honor.
Taylor Pannell • INF • R-So. • Milan, Illinois
A redshirt sophomore, Pannell has emerged as a key contributor in Tennessee's lineup. She has posted career-best marks in runs (48), hits (64), doubles (11), triples (2), home runs (15), RBIs (61), walks (30) and batting average (.413). A two-time All-SEC first-team selection, this is her first All-Region recognition.
Karlyn Pickens • P • Jr. • Weaverville, North Carolina
Pickens, a two-time SEC Pitcher of the Year, ranks third nationally with a 0.92 ERA and holds a 20-8 record. The junior right-hander has tallied a career-high 231 strikeouts over 174.1 innings, while holding opponents to a .168 batting average. In 34 appearances, including 25 starts, she has thrown 19 complete games and six shutouts. This is her second consecutive first-team All-Region selection.
McKenna Gibson • INF • Sr. • Santa Clarita, California
Despite missing two weeks during the regular season, Gibson provided a steady presence in the middle of the order. The senior infielder hit .313 with 10 home runs and 39 RBIs. This is her second career All-Region honor, following a first-team selection in 2023.
Kinsey Fiedler • OF • Sr. • Lee's Summit, Missouri
A first-year Lady Vol, Fiedler made an immediate impact in her lone season on Rocky Top. The senior outfielder batted .357 with 46 runs scored, 55 hits, seven doubles, eight triples, two home runs and 36 RBIs. Her eight triples tie the single-season program record. This is her first All-Region accolade.
Since 1997, the Lady Vols have produced 93 All-Region selections from 49 different student-athletes.
Tennessee opens NCAA tournament play at home this weekend, hosting the Knoxville Regional for the 20th consecutive year at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium. The Lady Vols welcome Ohio State, North Carolina and Miami (Ohio) to the postseason showcase. UT opens regional play against the RedHawks on Friday at 1:30 p.m. ET.
Players Mentioned
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