Lady Vols Softball advances to Knoxville Regional Final

Lauryn Gempler, Torch Sports Managing Editor

May 17, 2026

Tennessee Lady Vols catcher Elsa Morrison catches a strike as Virginia Lady Hoos Reagan Hickey swings her bat on Saturday, May 16, 2026, in Knoxville, Tenn. (Connor Whitney)

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (TVC) – The No. 7 Lady Vols advance to the Knoxville Regional Final after taking down Virginia, 7-5, on Saturday.

Tennessee’s bats came out swinging early in the game, allowing Tennessee to put five runs on the board in the first inning. Three of those RBIs came from hits from the top of the lineup and, although the next two came from a struggling Virginia pitching staff, the Lady Vols were able to capitalize on the Cavaliers’ struggles in the right moments.

The Lady Vols’ bats would go silent for most of the game after the first inning, but even when Virginia was trying to punch their way back and decrease the Lady Vols’ lead, Tennessee dug deep to consistently find an answer for the Cavaliers.

After Virginia cut the lead to two in the third, Emma Clarke sent a solo home run to center field, putting the Vols up, 6-3. In the sixth, when the Cavaliers cut the deficit to one, Mackenzie Butt stepped up to the plate. Butt hammered the ball to left field, giving the Lady Vols their seventh and final RBI of the day.

Tennessee’s pitching duo of Sage Mardjetko and Karlyn Pickens showed their dominance again, working out of jams and getting the win.

Mardjetko started for the Lady Vols and was brilliant through the first two innings, but she gave up a three-run home run in the third to give Virginia their first points of the day. Regardless, Mardjetko battled through the fourth to hold Virginia to three.

Pickens relieved Mardjetko at the top of the fifth and finished off the day for the Lady Vols. She battled through the top of the sixth after Virginia hit a two-run home run, making it a one-point game. But Pickens would get out of the inning, keeping the Lady Vols in front.

It was all Pickens at the top of the seventh, throwing three up three down to secure the win for the Lady Vols.

Tennessee will face Virginia again in the Knoxville Regional Final on Sunday, May 17 at 2 p.m. ET. The Lady Vols are looking to make it to their fourth straight Super Regional as well as the opportunity to play one more time at home this season.

About the Contributor

Lauryn Gempler, Torch Sports Managing Editor

Lauryn Gempler is a junior at the University of Tennessee studying sports journalism and electronic media with a minor in public relations and advertising. She joined The Volunteer Channel in 2024 and now serves as Digital Content Manager for Torch Sports, overseeing the creation and approval of videos, graphics, and other multimedia content. In this role, she helps shape the brand’s identity and ensures coverage is timely, engaging, and accurate. In addition to this role, Lauryn has appeared on air as both a host and analyst, bringing insight, energy, and preparation to every broadcast. She is passionate about storytelling and creative sports coverage, and she aims to pursue a career in sports media where she can combine on-camera talent with strong digital strategy skills. She enjoys working with other students and learning new skills in reporting, editing, and creating content across different platforms.