KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Junior Karlyn Pickens delivered a dominant performance in the circle to keep Tennessee’s season alive, throwing a complete game as the seventh-ranked Lady Vols edged Nebraska 3-2 in Game 2 of the Knoxville Super Regional on Saturday at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium.
Pickens made history in the first inning, firing a pitch clocked at 79.4 mph—the fastest in NCAA softball history. The record-breaking heater came in a 2-2 count against Nebraska’s Jordy Bahl, who fouled it off down the first base line. Pickens previously set the mark at 78.2 mph on March 24 against Arkansas.
Tennessee (44-15) shuffled its lineup and saw immediate results. Sophomore Gabby Leach was hit by a pitch to lead off the game, and redshirt freshman Ella Dodge—moved up to the three-hole—launched a 1-0 pitch over the right-field wall for her sixth home run of the season, giving the Lady Vols an early 2-0 lead.
Nebraska (43-14) answered in the bottom of the first with three singles, manufacturing two runs to tie the game.
In the third, Leach drew a leadoff walk and advanced to second on a single by Sophia Nugent. After a fielder’s choice moved Leach to third, McKenna Gibson delivered a sacrifice fly to center, scoring the go-ahead run.
From there, it was all Pickens. The right-hander retired the Huskers in order in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings. Nebraska mounted one final threat in the seventh, putting two runners in scoring position on a pair of singles and a wild pitch. But Pickens shut the door, inducing a flyout to center to seal the win and force a decisive Game 3.
IN THE CIRCLE
Pickens allowed just five hits and two runs while striking out 11 and walking one across seven innings of work. The win marked her career-high 23rd of the season.
DUE UP
Tennessee and Nebraska will meet in a winner-take-all Game 3 of the Knoxville Super Regional on Sunday. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET on ESPN.
