Latest news with #NationalProFastpitch
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens owns fastest softball pitches ever thrown
Tennessee softball pitcher Karlyn Pickens is the undisputed flamethrower in history heading into the Women's College World Series. Pickens owns the three fastest pitches ever recorded in a softball game, tossing each during the Lady Vols' 2025 season. Advertisement On Feb. 21, Pickens threw a fastball against Oregon that hit 77 mph. That tied the record for the fastest pitch in softball history, set by former Tennessee star Monica Abbott in 2012 during a National Pro Fastpitch game. On March 25, Pickens took sole possession of the record by tossing a pitch 78.2 mph against Arkansas. But that mark didn't last long. On May 24, Pickens threw a pitch 79.4 mph against Nebraska in the NCAA super regional. But Pickens, the two-time SEC Pitcher of the Year, doesn't just throw heat. Her poise and control helped post a 23-9 record, 1.03 earned run average and 270 strikeouts in 197 innings. She leads the Lady Vols into their ninth appearance in the Women's College World Series. Advertisement No. 7 seed Tennessee (45-15) faces No. 2 seed Oklahoma (50-7) to open the WCWS on May 29 (2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN) in Oklahoma City. Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at Get the latest news and insight on SEC football by subscribing to the SEC Unfiltered newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee ace Karlyn Pickens owns fastest softball pitches ever thrown
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Tennessee ace Karlyn Pickens breaks her own record for fastest softball pitch ever thrown
College softball's fastest flamethrower just got faster. Tennessee softball ace Karlyn Pickens had already thrown the fastest pitch ever recorded at 78.2 mph. But in the first inning of the super regional against Nebraska on May 24, she beat her own record. Advertisement Pickens threw 79.4 mph during Nebraska pitcher Jordy Bahl's first at-bat of Game 2. Pickens tied the previous record of 77 mph by Tennessee legend Monica Abbott earlier in the season twice before she broke it against Arkansas on March 24. Abbott originally set the record during a National Pro Fastpitch game in 2012. The Weaverville, North Carolina, native is known for her velocity as one of the few pitchers to consistently throw in the mid 70s and higher. Tennessee was tied 2-2 with Nebraska after the first inning. The No. 7 seed Lady Vols (43-15) lost Game 1 to the Huskers 5-2, and they would need to win Game 2 to extend their season and force a rubber match on May 25. Pickens had already thrown five strikeouts in the first two innings of Game 2. Advertisement Pickens won her second straight SEC Pitcher of the Year award this season after leading the conference in ERA and strikeouts. She currently has a 0.99 ERA and 259 strikeouts on the season. Cora Hall covers University of Tennessee women's athletics. Email her at and follow her on X @corahalll. If you enjoy Cora's coverage, consider a digital subscription that allows you to access all of it. This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee softball: Karlyn Pickens sets fastest pitch record again
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Savannah Bananas invite Karlyn Pickens to pitch. Tennessee softball star asks 'when and where?'
Tennessee softball pitcher Karlyn Pickens continues to reap from her record-breaking softball pitch. After becoming the only softball player to throw 78 mph on Monday against Arkansas, Pickens received an invite from the Savannah Bananas to come and pitch for the independent baseball franchise that provides fans with entertainment. Advertisement REQUIRED READING: Karlyn Pickens throws fastest pitch ever recorded at 78 mph for Tennessee softball Pickens did not waste any time accepting the invite on Wednesday on X, formerly known at Twitter. She even asked for tickets for her teammates to come along with her. The Savannah Bananas are known for their unique baseball, "Banana Ball," which they call the "fastest and most entertaining game of baseball." The Savannah, Georgia franchise is also known for its on-field choreographed dances to songs by Taylor Swift, Morgan Wallen and Mariah Carey, among others. Pickens hit 78 mph on a pitch in the sixth inning of Monday's 3-2 win over the Razorbacks. She had hit 77 mph twice earlier this season, which tied her with Monica Abbott's record for the fastest pitch in softball history. Advertisement Abbott, a former Tennessee star, set her record during a National Pro Fastpitch game in 2012. Pickens, the reigning SEC Pitcher of the Year, has posted a 0.86 ERA in 89 ⅓ innings of work, along with 131 strikeouts and 31 walks. She has limited hitters to 45 hits, or a .144 batting average against. This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee record-breaking pitcher invited to pitch for Savannah Bananas
USA Today
02-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Karlyn Pickens wins weekly SEC, national award
Tennessee junior softball player Karlyn Pickens earned both a conference and national weekly honor. Pickens was named SEC Pitcher of the Week and the National Fast Pitch Coaches Association Pitcher of the Week following three conference victories over No. 14 Arkansas and No. 2 Oklahoma. She totaled 18 strikeouts in 17 innings pitched against the Razorbacks and Sooners. Pickens' selection as NFCA Pitcher of the Week marks the first time since 2017 for a Lady Vols pitcher to win a national award. Pickens, who posted a 1.65 ERA in three wins, made one start and two relief appearances. In a relief appearance on March 24 against the Razorbacks, she pitched 4.1 innings of scoreless relief, while not allowing a hit. She made history by recording the fastest pitch in history (78.2 miles per hour), eclipsing former Lady Vol Monica Abbott's previous National Pro Fastpitch record of 77 miles per hour, which was set in 2012 with the Chicago Bandits. In the series opener against the Sooners, Pickens earned a relief victory, pitching 5.2 innings in the eight-inning game. She allowed one earned run and six hits, while recording six strikeouts. In Sunday's series finale against the Sooners, Pickens pitched a complete game, allowing three earned runs, four hits and three walks. She recorded six strikeouts. Her two wins at Oklahoma helped Tennessee win the series in Norman, making the Lady Vols the third team since 2006 to win a series there.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Savannah Bananas invite Karlyn Pickens to pitch. Tennessee softball star asks 'when and where?'
Tennessee softball pitcher Karlyn Pickens continues to reap from her record-breaking softball pitch. After becoming the only softball player to throw 78 mph on Monday against Arkansas, Pickens received an invite from the Savannah Bananas to come and pitch for the independent baseball franchise that provides fans with entertainment. REQUIRED READING: Karlyn Pickens throws fastest pitch ever recorded at 78 mph for Tennessee softball Pickens did not waste any time accepting the invite on Wednesday on X, formerly known at Twitter. She even asked for tickets for her teammates to come along with her. The Savannah Bananas are known for their unique baseball, "Banana Ball," which they call the "fastest and most entertaining game of baseball." The Savannah, Georgia franchise is also known for its on-field choreographed dances to songs by Taylor Swift, Morgan Wallen and Mariah Carey, among others. Pickens hit 78 mph on a pitch in the sixth inning of Monday's 3-2 win over the Razorbacks. She had hit 77 mph twice earlier this season, which tied her with Monica Abbott's record for the fastest pitch in softball history. Abbott, a former Tennessee star, set her record during a National Pro Fastpitch game in 2012. Pickens, the reigning SEC Pitcher of the Year, has posted a 0.86 ERA in 89 ⅓ innings of work, along with 131 strikeouts and 31 walks. She has limited hitters to 45 hits, or a .144 batting average against. This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee record-breaking pitcher invited to pitch for Savannah Bananas
