University of Tennessee Athletics
Sage Mardjetko, Karlyn Pickens Named NFCA First Team All-America
May 27, 2026 | Softball
OKLAHOMA CITY – Tennessee standouts Karlyn Pickens and Sage Mardjetko earned NFCA First Team All-America honors, the organization announced Wednesday.
The selection marks the third consecutive NFCA First Team All-America honor for Pickens, further solidifying her place among the nation's premier pitchers. Mardjetko collected the first NFCA All-America recognition of her career with the first-team selection.
Mardjetko has been dominant in the circle this season, posting a career-best 1.12 ERA with a 14-2 record. In 28 appearances, the junior has recorded a career-high 165 strikeouts across 119.0 innings pitched. During SEC play, she owned a conference-best 1.07 ERA with a 6-1 mark and 64 strikeouts in 59 innings. The Lemont, Illinois, native also tossed the first no-hitter of her collegiate career on Feb. 22 against Southern Illinois.
Pickens continues to cement herself among the nation's elite pitchers. The senior right-hander owns a 1.53 ERA with 180 strikeouts across 31 appearances this season, including 84 punchouts against SEC competition. She ranks fifth in the SEC in ERA and sixth in strikeouts while sitting second nationally in hits allowed per seven innings at 3.39.
Now an eight-time All-American across multiple outlets, Pickens has earned national recognition throughout her Tennessee career from the NFCA, D1Softball and Softball America.
In addition to her All-America honor, Mardjetko was named First Team All-SEC and SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year this season, along with garnering First Team D1Softball All-America honors and Second Team Softball America All-America accolades.
The selection marks the third consecutive NFCA First Team All-America honor for Pickens, further solidifying her place among the nation's premier pitchers. Mardjetko collected the first NFCA All-America recognition of her career with the first-team selection.
Mardjetko has been dominant in the circle this season, posting a career-best 1.12 ERA with a 14-2 record. In 28 appearances, the junior has recorded a career-high 165 strikeouts across 119.0 innings pitched. During SEC play, she owned a conference-best 1.07 ERA with a 6-1 mark and 64 strikeouts in 59 innings. The Lemont, Illinois, native also tossed the first no-hitter of her collegiate career on Feb. 22 against Southern Illinois.
Pickens continues to cement herself among the nation's elite pitchers. The senior right-hander owns a 1.53 ERA with 180 strikeouts across 31 appearances this season, including 84 punchouts against SEC competition. She ranks fifth in the SEC in ERA and sixth in strikeouts while sitting second nationally in hits allowed per seven innings at 3.39.
Now an eight-time All-American across multiple outlets, Pickens has earned national recognition throughout her Tennessee career from the NFCA, D1Softball and Softball America.
In addition to her All-America honor, Mardjetko was named First Team All-SEC and SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year this season, along with garnering First Team D1Softball All-America honors and Second Team Softball America All-America accolades.
Players Mentioned
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/ SoftballSB | Karen Weekly, Sage Mardjetko, Sophia Knight Postgame vs. Georgia (5.22.26)
Friday, May 22
SB | Karen Weekly, Karlyn Pickens, Sophia Knight Postgame vs. Georgia (5.21.26)
Thursday, May 21
SB | Karen Weekly, Karlyn Pickens, Taelyn Holley Postgame vs. Virginia (5.17.26)
Sunday, May 17
SB | Karen Weekly, Sage Mardjetko, Emma Clarke Postgame vs. Virginia (5.16.26)
Saturday, May 16
