University of Tennessee Athletics
Karlyn Pickens Garners USA Softball and D1Softball Honors
January 21, 2026 | Softball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Karlyn Pickens continues to collect preseason accolades, earning a spot on USA Softball's Collegiate Player of the Year Top 50 Watch List and being named a D1Softball Preseason First Team All-American on Wednesday.
The senior enters the 2026 season as one of the most highly regarded players in the country, having already garnered Softball America Preseason First Team All-American accolades. Pickens is ranked No. 3 overall and No. 2 among pitchers by Softball America and checks in as the No. 3 player nationally in D1Softball's Top 100 rankings.
One of the most overpowering arms in college softball, Pickens compiled a 25–11 record with a 1.17 ERA across 226.2 innings during the 2025 season. She struck out 306 batters, limited opponents to 4.45 hits per seven innings, and appeared in 44 games, including 34 starts. Her season totals included 25 complete games, seven shutouts, and three saves.
Pickens led the SEC in ERA, games started, complete games, shutouts, innings pitched, strikeouts, and opponent batting average. Her performance earned her SEC Pitcher of the Year honors for the second straight season, along with All-SEC First Team recognition.
Her dominance carried into the postseason. At the Women's College World Series, Pickens threw a season-high nine innings against No. 9 UCLA, delivering 148 pitches to secure her 25th win and lift Tennessee into the semifinals. She followed with another standout outing against No. 6 Texas in the national semifinals, allowing just one earned run over six innings. Earlier in the postseason, she forced a decisive Super Regional Game 3 against Nebraska with a complete-game performance that featured a record-breaking 79.4 mph pitch.
Pickens made national headlines during the 2025 season by setting—and later surpassing—the record for the fastest pitch in softball history, first reaching 78.2 mph on March 24 before breaking her own mark with a 79.4 mph pitch on May 24.
A two-time consensus first-team All-American, Pickens was named SEC Pitcher of the Week and NFCA Pitcher of the Week three times each during the 2025 campaign.
The senior enters the 2026 season as one of the most highly regarded players in the country, having already garnered Softball America Preseason First Team All-American accolades. Pickens is ranked No. 3 overall and No. 2 among pitchers by Softball America and checks in as the No. 3 player nationally in D1Softball's Top 100 rankings.
One of the most overpowering arms in college softball, Pickens compiled a 25–11 record with a 1.17 ERA across 226.2 innings during the 2025 season. She struck out 306 batters, limited opponents to 4.45 hits per seven innings, and appeared in 44 games, including 34 starts. Her season totals included 25 complete games, seven shutouts, and three saves.
Pickens led the SEC in ERA, games started, complete games, shutouts, innings pitched, strikeouts, and opponent batting average. Her performance earned her SEC Pitcher of the Year honors for the second straight season, along with All-SEC First Team recognition.
Her dominance carried into the postseason. At the Women's College World Series, Pickens threw a season-high nine innings against No. 9 UCLA, delivering 148 pitches to secure her 25th win and lift Tennessee into the semifinals. She followed with another standout outing against No. 6 Texas in the national semifinals, allowing just one earned run over six innings. Earlier in the postseason, she forced a decisive Super Regional Game 3 against Nebraska with a complete-game performance that featured a record-breaking 79.4 mph pitch.
Pickens made national headlines during the 2025 season by setting—and later surpassing—the record for the fastest pitch in softball history, first reaching 78.2 mph on March 24 before breaking her own mark with a 79.4 mph pitch on May 24.
A two-time consensus first-team All-American, Pickens was named SEC Pitcher of the Week and NFCA Pitcher of the Week three times each during the 2025 campaign.
Players Mentioned
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/ SoftballSB | Tennessee Postgame vs. Nebraska (5.25.25)
Sunday, May 25
SB | Tennessee Postgame vs. Nebraska (5.24.25)
Saturday, May 24
SB | Tennessee Postgame vs. Nebraska (5.23.25)
Friday, May 23
SB | Tennessee Postgame vs. Ohio State (5.18.25)
Sunday, May 18
