Mardjetko, Lady Vols Finish Off Ohio State to Win Knoxville Regional
The Lady Vols are headed to Super Regionals once again.
Backed by a dominant pitching performance from freshman phenom Karlyn Mardjetko and a well-balanced offensive effort, the Tennessee Lady Volunteers softball team defeated Ohio State 4-1 on Sunday to clinch the 2025 NCAA Knoxville Regional. The win secures Tennessee’s place in the Super Regional round for the third straight season and further solidifies their status as one of the most consistent programs in college softball.
In front of a rowdy, orange-clad crowd at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium, Tennessee continued its tradition of postseason excellence by taking care of business against a gritty Ohio State squad that had upset Georgia Tech the day prior. The Vols played with poise, power, and precision — the kind of traits that have come to define the program under head coach Karen Weekly.
Let’s dive into how it all happened and what it means for Tennessee’s pursuit of a Women’s College World Series berth.
Mardjetko Shines Bright on the Big Stage
Karlyn Mardjetko came to Tennessee as one of the most heralded freshman pitchers in the country, and on Sunday she showed exactly why.
The right-hander tossed a complete game, striking out 10 and allowing just one run on five hits. She worked through trouble early, stranding runners in scoring position in both the second and third innings before settling in and completely locking down the Buckeyes’ offense.
Her rise throughout the season has been meteoric, but it was her calmness under postseason pressure that truly impressed. After Tennessee took the lead in the bottom of the third, Mardjetko never looked back. Her fastball continued to hit the high 60s, her off-speed stuff danced at the edges, and Ohio State’s hitters had no answer.
“She’s just different,” coach Weekly said after the game. “She never looks rattled. She just goes out and competes, and that’s exactly what you want in an ace this time of year.”
Mardjetko’s dominance throughout the regional — which included a win over Dayton earlier in the weekend — earned her Knoxville Regional Most Outstanding Player honors.
Balanced Offense Delivers When It Matters
While the Lady Vols didn’t put up eye-popping numbers at the plate, they were opportunistic and efficient — two key ingredients for postseason success.
The scoring began in the bottom of the third inning. Leadoff hitter Zaida Puni drew a walk and promptly stole second base. Then came SEC Player of the Year McKenna Gibson, who delivered a sharp single up the middle to score Puni and break the scoreless tie.
Tennessee added two more in the fifth after a two-out rally was sparked by a double from Kiki Milloy — another All-American having yet another sensational postseason. Milloy came around to score on a bloop single from Rylie West, who later scored on a wild pitch. That gave the Vols a 3-0 lead, which felt insurmountable with Mardjetko dealing.
Ohio State would score one in the sixth on a solo shot by their cleanup hitter, but Tennessee answered right back with a run of their own in the bottom half thanks to an RBI groundout by freshman phenom Payton Gottshall, scoring Katie Taylor from third.
Every run felt like a punch in the gut to Ohio State, who had no room for error against a team as seasoned and structured as the Lady Vols.
Sherri Parker Lee Stadium: The Loudest It’s Been All Year
Postseason softball in Knoxville has developed into one of the best environments in college sports. From the Vol Navy’s proximity to the field to the intense fan engagement with every pitch, Knoxville continues to grow as a softball powerhouse — both on and off the field.
Sunday’s crowd of more than 2,500 fans created a deafening buzz, especially when Mardjetko found herself in key strikeout situations. Each punchout elicited roars that could be heard across campus, and every run scored seemed to fuel a bigger belief that this Tennessee team isn’t just talented — it’s built for the moment.
“Knoxville is just a special place for softball,” said Kiki Milloy. “We feed off that energy, and it really makes a difference. This is the kind of crowd that gives us an edge.”
Ohio State Deserves Credit for a Strong Regional Run
While the Lady Vols took care of business, it would be unfair not to credit the effort of an Ohio State team that arrived in Knoxville with little fanfare and nearly shocked the regional.
The Buckeyes upset No. 2-seed Georgia Tech in Saturday’s elimination game, thanks to a late-game surge at the plate. Their pitching held up surprisingly well throughout the weekend, and their defense was among the cleanest in the entire regional field.
Head coach Kelly Kovach Schoenly, a former Tennessee assistant under Ralph and Karen Weekly, had her team prepared and fearless. While the Buckeyes ultimately came up short, their performance sent a message that they are a rising program.
Tennessee’s Postseason Run So Far
The Lady Vols entered the NCAA Tournament as the No. 5 national seed, and their performance in the Knoxville Regional showed why.
Here’s how the weekend played out:
- Game 1: Tennessee 6, Dayton 0
Mardjetko started and pitched five shutout innings, while Milloy and Gibson combined for 5 RBIs. - Game 2: Tennessee 8, Georgia Tech 1
Payton Gottshall spun a gem, and the Lady Vols scored six runs in the fourth inning to blow it open. - Game 3: Tennessee 4, Ohio State 1
The clincher. Mardjetko dominant. Clutch hitting from West and Gibson sealed it.
Tennessee outscored its opponents 18-2 in three games and committed zero errors, a mark of their discipline and focus heading into the next round.
Looking Ahead: Who Will Tennessee Play in the Super Regionals?
With the Knoxville Regional behind them, the Lady Vols now turn their attention to the Super Regionals, where they will host the winner of the Eugene Regional — likely to be Oregon or LSU.
Either matchup would be compelling:
- Oregon: A rematch of last year’s Super Regional in Eugene, which Tennessee won in dramatic fashion.
- LSU: A familiar SEC foe and bitter rival with whom Tennessee split the regular-season series.
Regardless of opponent, Tennessee will have the advantage of playing at home in Knoxville, where they are nearly unbeatable. With Mardjetko and Gottshall ready to go, and an offense that seems to heat up at the right time, the Vols have to be considered favorites.
Super Regional Dates and Format
The NCAA Softball Super Regionals are best-of-three series scheduled for May 23–26, depending on broadcast windows. If Tennessee wins, they’ll advance to the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City, which begins May 30.
Tennessee last reached the WCWS in 2023 and is now two wins away from returning to college softball’s biggest stage.
What Makes This Team Different?
While Tennessee has had several talented squads in recent years, this team has a unique mix of youth and veteran leadership, with game-breaking stars and selfless role players.
- Veterans like Kiki Milloy and McKenna Gibson bring a wealth of postseason experience.
- Underclassmen like Mardjetko and Gottshall give Tennessee frontline pitching for years to come.
- Role players like Zaida Puni and Katie Taylor have stepped up in crucial moments, providing the kind of depth every champion needs.
Coach Weekly has repeatedly emphasized that this year’s group is more unified and focused than any she’s coached since the Monica Abbott era.
“They believe in each other, and they don’t let the moment get too big,” she said.
Tennessee Softball by the Numbers
- Postseason Wins Under Karen Weekly: 52
- 2025 Record: 48–9
- SEC Finish: 2nd place
- National Seed: No. 5
- Team ERA: 1.93 (Top 10 nationally)
- Fielding Percentage: .982
- Home Runs: 79
Those numbers underscore a program firing on all cylinders.
A Team on a Mission
The Lady Vols’ victory over Ohio State wasn’t just a regional win — it was a statement.
Tennessee is peaking at the perfect time. They have two elite pitchers, a lineup that produces up and down the order, and a coaching staff that knows what it takes to get to Oklahoma City. With home-field advantage secured for the Super Regionals, the road to the WCWS runs directly through Rocky Top.
And with Mardjetko’s arm, Milloy’s bat, and Weekly’s experience, it’s hard to bet against them.
