When Tennessee took the field for the final time this softball season in Monday afternoon’s loss to Texas in the Women’s College World Series semifinals, the Lady Vols did so with only one senior.
One very prominent, highly-respected senior.
Karlyn Pickens entered the circle for the last time, culminating a four-year run in which Tennessee played in the NCAA super regionals all four years and advanced to the WCWS on three occasions, winning twice all three times in Oklahoma City. The 6-foot-1 talent from Weaverville, North Carolina, was the Southeastern Conference’s freshman of the year in 2023 and the league’s pitcher of the year in both 2024 and 2025.
Pickens was sidelined by arm soreness for two weeks this season, and that setback plus the recovery prevented her from a third consecutive SEC pitching honor, but she was still a first-team league selection and last month became the top overall pick of the Athletes Unlimited Softball League.
“It’s such a privilege to coach somebody like Karlyn,” Karen Weekly said during a press conference after her 25th season guiding the Lady Vols came to a close. “She is everything you would want in a young woman and a human being, and I have to give so much credit to her parents and how they’ve raised her. She is so incredibly loyal.
“In this day and age when people jump ship and do it for the dollars, Karlyn said, ‘I’m a Lady Vol through and through.’ That meant so much to me and to everybody at our university.”
There are countless numbers documenting the impact Pickens had on Tennessee. She produced a 1.12 earned run average as a sophomore and a 1.17 ERA as a junior, posting a combined 47-18 record in those two seasons, and she famously set an NCAA record last spring with a pitch clocked at 79.4 miles per hour.
Yet it’s often said that the best ability is availability, and of Tennessee’s 242 games the past four seasons, Pickens competed in 144 of them.
“My four years here have been nothing but amazing,” Pickens said. “I’ve enjoyed my experience so much, and I’ve been a part of four amazing groups of girls. That’s the hardest part of walking away from this. I remember my freshman year having Ashley Rogers and Kiki Milloy and Rylie West, just to name a few, and they were so helpful to me.
“I’ve been able to play the sport that I love with the people I love. I’ve soaked it in and loved every single moment of it. I’m very excited that my playing days are not over, but it’s definitely the end of this chapter. It sucks I won’t get to put on this uniform again, but I’m grateful for all the experiences I’ve had.”
Despite having one of the sport’s most proven and recognized talents, Tennessee was incredibly young overall this year. Catcher Elsa Morrison and left fielder Taelyn Holley were freshmen, pitcher Erin Nuwer, first baseman Makenzie Butt, second baseman Emma Clarke and third baseman Ella Dodge were sophomores, while pitcher Sage Mardjetko, designated player Alannah Leach, shortstop Bella Faw, center fielder Sophia Knight and right fielder Gabby Leach were juniors.
Should that collection return next season, Tennessee will again be in position to challenge for the program’s first national championship.
“We’ve had a lot of growth with our younger players from last year to this year,” Clarke said, “and I think you’ll see that growth even more.”
Yet Monday’s final press conference of the 2026 season was way more about paying tribute to Pickens than looking at the bright possibilities ahead. Pickens may be finished playing for the Lady Vols, but she could compete again inside Devon Park, which will house Olympic softball in 2028.
“That would be super special,” Pickens said, “and it’s definitely a dream of mine that I would love to knock off the bucket list for sure. The sport of softball has done so much for me, and it’s grown in so many amazing ways.
“I love everything about this game.”
(SIGN UP: Get the daily sports newsletter in your email box by clicking here)
Weekly certainly has loved coaching Pickens, who was essentially a team leader each of her last three seasons.
“Karlyn will leave a legacy forever at Tennessee — forever,” Weekly said. “Her name is synonymous with some of the greats who have come through Tennessee. All you have to say is ‘Karlyn,’ and everyone knows who you’re talking about.
“It’s just like saying ‘Peyton’ or ‘Chamique’ or ‘Candace’ or whoever. Everyone knows who you’re talking about.”
Abernathy leaving
Tennessee sophomore center fielder Jay Abernathy is entering the NCAA transfer portal after two seasons with the Vols.
The 5-10, 188-pounder from the Atlanta suburb of Acworth played in 53 of Tennessee’s 60 games this season and made 39 starts. He hit .236 and struggled in last weekend’s Chapel Hill Regional with a 1-for-8 showing that included four strikeouts, but his nine steals in 10 attempts this season led the Vols.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com.