It was another electric night at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium as the No. 7-seeded Tennessee Lady Volunteers moved one step closer to Oklahoma City, thanks in large part to a brilliant performance by ace Karlyn Pickens. With the Knoxville Regional on the line, the Lady Vols showed poise, power, and the type of grit that has defined their 2025 season. In front of a boisterous home crowd draped in orange and white, Pickens led the way with a dazzling display in the circle as Tennessee defeated Virginia Tech 5-1 to punch their ticket to the Knoxville Regional Final.
Pickens, already hailed as one of the most dominant pitchers in college softball, solidified her growing legend with a complete-game masterpiece. The sophomore right-hander allowed just four hits and one run while striking out 11, often overpowering Hokies batters with her signature rise ball and devastating off-speed offerings. Her control, confidence, and competitiveness were on full display as she silenced any doubts about Tennessee’s postseason readiness.
It was the kind of night Tennessee head coach Karen Weekly has come to expect from Pickens, whose 2025 season has been nothing short of sensational. Entering the regional with a sub-1.00 ERA and over 250 strikeouts on the year, Pickens has emerged not only as the Lady Vols’ ace but also as a leading contender for national player of the year honors. On Saturday night, she proved once again why.
From the outset, Pickens set the tone. She struck out the side in the first inning, getting ahead early in counts and painting the corners with precision. Virginia Tech, which had entered the contest averaging over six runs per game, quickly found themselves overmatched. Even when the Hokies did manage to make contact, it rarely resulted in hard-hit balls, with Tennessee’s infield flashing the leather behind their star pitcher.
Meanwhile, the Lady Vols’ offense continued its hot streak. After a quiet first two innings, Tennessee broke through in the third. Zaida Puni sparked the rally with a leadoff single, her sixth hit of the regional, and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Then came McKenna Gibson, the senior slugger who has made a career out of delivering in clutch postseason moments. Gibson didn’t disappoint. She worked the count full, then turned on an inside pitch and drilled it over the left field fence for a two-run homer that sent the crowd into a frenzy.
With a 2-0 lead, Pickens seemed to pitch with even more freedom. She breezed through the fourth and fifth innings, recording five more strikeouts and feeding off the momentum her offense had built. Her dominance on the mound allowed Tennessee to remain aggressive at the plate, and the Lady Vols added insurance in the bottom of the fifth.
This time, it was Kiki Milloy, the All-American center fielder and one of the most feared power-speed threats in the country, who stepped up. Milloy, who had been relatively quiet during the first two games of the regional, wasted no time in reminding everyone of her game-changing ability. On the first pitch of the at-bat, she launched a solo shot to deep left-center, increasing Tennessee’s lead to 3-0 and giving the Lady Vols complete control.
Virginia Tech’s lone run came in the sixth inning when a two-out double followed by a bloop single brought home a runner. But Pickens responded like the seasoned veteran she’s become. With the tying run still in the on-deck circle, she fired three straight heaters past the Hokies’ cleanup hitter to end the frame and quash any comeback hopes.
Tennessee added two more runs in the bottom of the sixth to seal the win. Gibson again played a central role, drawing a walk and eventually scoring on a double by Rylie West. The Lady Vols’ ability to string together quality at-bats, apply pressure on the basepaths, and come up with timely hits has been the hallmark of their success all season long. Saturday night was no different.
When the final out was recorded—a weak grounder to shortstop Annie Koeltzow—the Lady Vols celebrated in front of their home fans with the kind of restrained joy that suggested their job is far from finished. While advancing to the Knoxville Regional Final is a significant step, this team has bigger goals in mind. They’re chasing their first national title in program history and are playing with the confidence of a team that believes this is their year.
The performance also further validated the Lady Vols’ No. 7 national seed, which had been the subject of debate after a few early-season losses and mid-season injuries. But since April, Tennessee has looked like a complete team. The pitching has been dominant, the lineup deep and dangerous, and the defense among the best in the nation. Perhaps most impressively, the Lady Vols have consistently answered the bell in high-pressure situations, something that bodes well for the battles that await.
Pickens, of course, is central to all of it. Her ability to shut down elite offenses makes Tennessee a legitimate threat to anyone in the country. She’s become the kind of player that can change the entire trajectory of a postseason with her presence alone. After the game, Weekly praised her ace’s poise and competitive fire, calling her “a warrior” and saying that her preparation and maturity have been “off the charts.”
It’s hard to overstate just how critical Pickens’ development has been to Tennessee’s rise. Last year, as a freshman, she showed flashes of brilliance but also the inconsistency typical of a young pitcher adjusting to the SEC grind. This year, she’s elevated her game in every facet, from velocity to pitch sequencing to mental toughness. The result has been one of the most dominant seasons by a Tennessee pitcher in recent memory.
The Lady Vols will now await the winner of the elimination game between Virginia Tech and Indiana, who pushed Tennessee to the brink in their opening-round matchup. Regardless of who emerges, Tennessee will be heavily favored, especially with Pickens likely available to pitch again on Sunday if needed. Her stamina and work ethic have allowed Weekly to rely on her deep into games, and it’s clear she thrives on the postseason spotlight.
In addition to Pickens, the team’s veteran leadership has been crucial. Gibson and Milloy, in particular, have been the steadying presence in the dugout and on the field. Both players returned for their final seasons with unfinished business, having come up short in past trips to the Women’s College World Series. Their hunger and focus have helped set the tone for a roster that blends experience with emerging young stars.
Another standout in the regional has been freshman infielder Bella Klinger, whose defense and aggressive base running have made a noticeable impact. Her diving stop in the second inning saved a run and drew a standing ovation from the Knoxville crowd. The balance between seasoned veterans and fearless newcomers gives Tennessee an edge that few teams can match.
It also helps that they’re playing at home. The Knoxville crowd has always been one of the most passionate in college softball, and this year is no different. Nearly every seat was filled, with fans waving pom-poms, chanting in unison, and creating a postseason atmosphere that clearly energized the players. The regional setup has favored the Lady Vols, who are 24-2 at home this season and feeding off the support of their fanbase.
As the Lady Vols turn their attention to the next challenge, they do so with momentum, confidence, and the belief that this could be the team to finally bring home a national championship. The road to Oklahoma City is never easy, but with Pickens dealing, the bats clicking, and the defense tightening at the right time, Tennessee is peaking when it matters most.
In a season filled with high expectations and national scrutiny, the Lady Vols are proving they’re ready for the spotlight. Pickens’ brilliance, the power in the middle of the lineup, and a defense that can make every play have them positioned as a team that nobody wants to face. The Knoxville Regional Final awaits, and if Saturday night was any indication, Tennessee isn’t just trying to survive the postseason—they’re looking to dominate it.
Should they continue this level of play, it’s hard to envision many teams stopping their run. The combination of elite pitching, disciplined hitting, and postseason experience makes the Lady Vols one of the most dangerous teams left in the tournament. Every game from here on out carries more weight, but with a player like Pickens leading the charge, Tennessee is more than ready to shoulder the pressure.
As the sun sets over Knoxville and the Lady Vols inch closer to their ultimate goal, one thing is abundantly clear: Karlyn Pickens is not just shining—she’s blazing a trail to Oklahoma City, and the rest of the college softball world is on notice.
