The Tennessee Lady Vols win the Super Regionals and earn a spot in the Women’s College World Series.

They came into Knoxville as the No. 7 overall national seed, after a successful Regional in which Tennessee finished 5–0—knocking out Miami (OH) and twice defeating Ohio State to win their 14th Super Regional appearance in program history, and the first time hosting for three consecutive years  Their ace, Sage Mardjetko, and reliever turned closer Karlyn Pickens anchored the pitching staff; offensive power came from the likes of Taylor Pannell (.413 average, 15 home runs), Sophia Nugent (14 home runs), Kinsey Fiedler and Laura Mealer

Facing them in the Knoxville Super Regional were Nebraska, led by dominant two‑way star Jordy Bahl (.475 average, 23 home runs, 66 RBIs at the plate and a 1.50 ERA with 25–6 record on the mound) Tennessee and Nebraska had met several times before, but never had so much on the line—a trip to Oklahoma City and the WCWS.

Game 1, Friday night, May 23: What the Lady Vols had feared. Nebraska struck first in the top of the first inning on an RBI single by Bahl. Tennessee answered in the second when Sophia Nugent launched a solo homer—her 17th of the season—to tie it. Nebraska regained the lead in the third with a run-scoring double, then opened it up in the fourth with a home run by Hannah Camenzind and two more runs scored as Tennessee committed two errors in the field. Tennessee got one back on a wild pitch in the fifth as Amanda Ahlin slid home. Final score: Nebraska 5, Tennessee 2. Bahl threw a complete game and helped at the plate, going 1-for-3 and scoring twice. Pickens took the loss, lasting only 3.2 innings but Sage Mardjetko was strong in relief with 3.1 shutout innings

The tone was tense. Vol Nation, silenced, felt a heavy weight. The hometown crowd at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium watched in stunned silence as Nebraska took advantage, their pitcher doing everything, UT penalties piling on. For Tennessee, Game 1 was a reminder that their season hung in the balance.

Game 2, Saturday, May 24: Tennessee’s showdown moment. Facing elimination, in front of home fans, Karlyn Pickens rebounded — and so did her team. She took the circle and responded with dominance: complete game, clutch strikeouts, and living up to her reputation as SEC Pitcher of the Year. Meanwhile Ella Dodge, the redshirt freshman, came to life at the plate with a two‑run home run off Bahl, her second in two days. That swing gave Tennessee a lead they would never relinquish, earning a 3–2 victory that forced a decisive Game 3. Pickens struck out 11, allowed just two runs on five hits; UT defense backed her up. That win injected electricity into Knoxville, and into Vol fans’ hearts after the disappointment of Game 1

Viewership soared—ESPN reported that the Tennessee–Nebraska Super Regional series drew nearly 994,000 viewers, becoming the fourth-most–watched Super Regional softball game in ESPN history. Fans across the country tuned in as Pickens battled Bahl in what felt like a pitching duel for the ages (SI).

Game 3, Sunday, May 25: The decisive moment. Tennessee needed a win to reach the WCWS. Bahl took the circle for Nebraska, looking to seal the trip for the Huskers. But Pickens was on another level. In the bottom of the first, Ella Dodge led off with a solo home run—her second straight day launching one at Nebraska pitching—and that single run would be all Tennessee needed. Over six more innings, Pickens was dominant, tossing a complete-game 1–0 shutout, striking out 10, allowing just two hits and one walk. She worked six 1‑2‑3 innings, escaping traffic, refusing to yield

Defense remained flawless—Kinsey Fiedler making a sliding catch in center field in the third to preserve an inning, Dodge flashing leather in the first, others helping keep Nebraska off the scoreboard. The Huskers’ best chance came in the fifth, when they loaded the bases with two outs—but Pickens induced a three‑pitch strikeout to escape. Final score: Tennessee 1, Nebraska 0. With that, Tennessee punched its ticket to the Women’s College World Series, the ninth appearance in program history, second in three seasons, a fitting reward after a dramatic weekend in Knoxville

Over the elimination games, Pickens tossed back‑to‑back complete games, struck out 21 batters, walked just two, delivering excellence under pressure. Her brace of performances came just days after she had shattered the NCAA all‑time record for fastest pitch: she clocked an unbelievable 79.4 mph fastball, breaking her own record of 78.2 mph set just weeks earlie

That record‑setting pitch came in Game 2 of the Super Regional and helped turn the momentum. Her season stats had been spectacular: around a 1.03 ERA, 270+ strikeouts, SEC Pitcher of the Year for the second straight year—she was also recognized as Softball America’s Pitcher of the Year, and a finalist for USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year for the second consecutive year

With the series victory, Tennessee posted a 45‑15 overall record, improving to 96‑49 in NCAA tournament history and 17‑16 in all‐time Women’s College World Series games. They were matched in the first round of the WCWS against No. 2 overall seed Oklahoma on Thursday, May 29, at Oklahoma City’s Devon Park, as part of the KCWS that featured eight teams vying for the national title

What it meant: Tennessee had overcome a Game 1 loss—when so often two out of three series end quickly—for the second season in a row to reach the WCWS. Their resilience mirrored past programs that refused to quit. Fans across the SEC and around the country watched as Pickens established her legend and Dodge emerged as a postseason star.

It’s worth zooming in on some of the standout moments in more detail—because no drama is captured better than the play-by-play of pivotal innings, key fielders, and emotional arcs.

Sophia Nugent’s solo shot in Game 1 had been the lone offense, but Game 2 belonged to Ella Dodge. Facing elimination, Dodge crushed a game‑tying or go‑ahead two‑run homer off the dangerous Bahl in the fourth or fifth inning. That swing not only turned the game around on the scoreboard—it sent a jolt of energy through the Tennessee dugout and fans. Meanwhile, Pickens silenced the Nebraska offense: game‑long pressure, deep counts but strikeouts when TN needed them most. Afterward, her expression of calm authority on the mound—pitch after pitch—seemed almost zen‑like, delivering 11 strikeouts on the day. With that win, Tennessee evened the series and set up the do-or-die Game 3

In Game 3, the Lady Vols leaned on defense and pitching. Dodge again delivered early with a solo homer in the first, and Pickens settled in. The Huskers threatened in the fifth with bases loaded and no outs, but Tennessee’s defense collapsed in tight, Pickens struck out the batter on three pitches, flipping the script. Every pitch worked, every defense snap on point. Fans screamed at every strikeout, and when Pickens recorded the final out—a sharp grounder fielded cleanly and flipped to first—the stadium erupted. Their season was alive again; WCWS bound. The singular narrative, Lone Run secures Oaks. Those two moments—Dodge’s homer, Pickens’ strikeout to escape jam—became the defining memories of the weekend

Karlyn Pickens was more than good; she was historic. Just days before, on May 24, in Game 2 she unleashed a pitch clocked at 79.4 mph, setting a new Division I collegiate softball record—breaking her own 78.2 mark set earlier in March. ESPN noted how rare and electrifying it was: the pitch was measured and hailed as a milestone—an elite-level fastball with unmatched velocity in the women’s game

Across the Super Regional, she totaled 21 strikeouts and walked only two in elimination games. Back‑to‑back complete games under do‑or‑die pressure—that earned her accolades, national attention, and cemented her place as one of the great postseason performers in Tennessee history. The national audience took notice: nearly a million viewers tuned in, fueling one of the most‑watched Super Regionals ever (SI).

With the series win, Tennessee advanced to Oklahoma City for their ninth Women’s College World Series appearance—the second in three years, after 2023. In program history, Tennessee had reached the WCWS eight times previously: 2005, 2006, 2007 (runner‑up), 2010, 2012, 2013 (runner‑up), 2015, and 2023. Their all‑time WCWS record entering the weekend stood at 17‑16

Their first challenge was their familiar foe: No. 2 overall seed Oklahoma, whom they had beaten in Norman in March to take a series—only the third team ever to do so in Norman since 2007 ). But the WCWS is different: double elimination, intense games, national stage.

Tennessee’s first WCWS Series matchup came on May 29, with a noon‑ish ET first pitch. The broadcast team included Beth Mowins, Michele Smith, Jessica Mendoza, and Holly Rowe, and the NCAA had scheduled the Lady Vols vs. Oklahoma game for 2:30 p.m. ET on ESPN

What made this run so memorable wasn’t just the win—it was how Tennessee responded to adversity:

• After a Game 1 loss on Friday, they didn’t crumble. Pickens and the offense buried Nebraska in Game 2, then sealed it in Game 3. That resilience built belief—both within the team and across Vol Nation.
• Ella Dodge, a redshirt freshman, became the quiet hero. Two home runs in as many days in elimination games, and making big defensive plays—her star was born at the perfect moment.
• The Pickens narrative transcended Tennessee. A record‑breaking fastball, dominating elimination games, but also striking out the side in critical moments. Her credentials—SEC Pitcher of the Year again, Softball America POY, national finalist for USA Softball POY—underlined that Tennessee wasn’t just lucky—they had one of the best pitchers in the country on a historic run
• Volleyball fans across Reddit and forums had been optimistic all season, but the Super Regional showdown gave them evidence: Tennessee can beat elite teams like Oklahoma and Nebraska, not just in regular season but in postseason pressure cooker moments

Provided their momentum held into Oklahoma City, Tennessee looked like a dangerous WCWS contender—not as favorites, perhaps, but as a team with both power and pitching to win on any day.

• Regional & Super Regional combined record: 5–1 (win over Ohio State, Game 1 Nebraska loss, then Game 2 & 3 wins).
• Conference & tournament record: Tennessee finished 45–15 overall, upping their all‑time NCAA Tournament mark to 96–49, and 17–16 in WCWS history
• Karlyn Pickens: two complete-game elimination wins, 21 strikeouts, 2 walks, ERA near 1.00, record‑setting 79.4 mph fastball, SEC Pitcher of the Year, Softball America Pitcher of the Year, national top‑ten finalist
• Ella Dodge: two postseason home runs in elimination games, stellar defense, redshirt freshman impact.

As the Lady Vols prepared to open the Women’s College World Series, the atmosphere was electric. They would face Oklahoma for the fourth game of the day at Devon Park. Oklahoma was the No. 2 overall seed, heavy favorites, and coming off their reputation as a perennial postseason juggernaut. But Tennessee had already beaten them in Norman in March, showing they could hang with and beat the elite

For Tennessee, the WCWS was a test of whether they could take the lessons from Knoxville into Oklahoma City:

• Could Dodge continue delivering clutch swings?
• Would Pickens carry her dominance to the national stage?
• Could Tennessee’s defense continue making game‑saving plays when needed?

While history showed Tennessee had never won a national title—they had reached the finals twice (2007 and 2013) but never finished the job—their WCWS appearances often resulted in deep runs, finishing no lower than third place . With another trip underway, many wondered: might 2025 finally be the year?

In short, Tennessee’s Super Regional triumph over Nebraska—a three‑game series that saw them bounce back from a Game 1 loss with two elimination wins—was a defining moment. It showcased Karlyn Pickens at her zenith, Ella Dodge breaking out, and a team refusing to be knocked out. It delivered their ninth-ever WCWS berth, ignited a national audience with record viewership numbers, and raised fans’ hopes as they headed to Oklahoma City for another shot at glory.

That journey—from hosting the Regional and Super Regional, through tension and triumph, to punching their ticket to the Women’s College World Series—captures all the highs and lows of college softball in one dramatic weekend. The story of Tennessee softball in 2025 isn’t just a win—it’s a statement: relentless, powered by elite pitching, clutch hitting, and unwavering resolve.