KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (TVC) – The Lady Vols are headed to their fourth straight Super Regional after defeating the Virginia Cavaliers in the Knoxville Regional Final, 5-1.
Karlyn Pickens found herself starting in the circle for the first time since April 25. She was absolutely brilliant, pitching a complete game, striking out nine batters, and working out of multiple jams to hold Virginia to one scored run.
Tennessee’s bats took a minute to heat up, but once they did, the action did not stop. The first run came in the third inning when center fielder Sophia Knight’s hit flied out to left field, allowing right fielder Taelyn Holley to score and put the Vols up 1-0.
The Lady Vols’ lead would not last long as Pickens began to struggle in the bottom of the third, walking two batters, and a then double coming from Virginia’s Macee Eaton would tie the game 1-1.
Holley came in clutch in the fourth, reaching first base on a fielder’s error from Virginia. The run allowed Ella Dodge to give the Lady Vols back the lead, 2-1.
Tennessee continued its offensive momentum in the fifth, with multiple hits coming from the bottom of the lineup, allowing Knight to extend Tennessee’s lead to two points.
Tennessee’s offense exploded in the sixth. Holley came in clutch for the third time of the day, smacking a ball to left field and recording a solo home run. Later in the inning, a double from hitter Alannah Leach brought Bella Faw home, giving the Lady Vols their fifth and final run of the night.
Although the Lady Vols’ bats went silent in the seventh, Pickens did what she has done throughout her collegiate career, punching out the last three outs and securing the game for No. 7 seed Tennessee. The win sends the Lady Vols to their fourth straight Super Regional and 15th in program history.
The Lady Vols will return home to Sherri Parker Lee Stadium later this week to host No. 10 seed Georgia in the Knoxville Super Regional, looking to return to Oklahoma City for the Women’s College World Series on May 28.
