Karlyn Pickens, Karen Weekly on end of Tennessee softball pitcher's career

OKLAHOMA CITY – One of the greatest pitching careers in Tennessee softball history has come to an end.

Senior ace Karlyn Pickens (15-8) pitched her final innings for the Lady Vols in a 4-0 loss to No. 2 seed Texas at Devon Park on June 1. She threw six strikeouts with three walks, seven hits allowed and four earned runs in six innings for No. 7 seed Tennessee (49-12), which ended its season in the Women's College World Series semifinals for the third time in Pickens' career.

"My four years here have been nothing but just amazing," Pickens said, getting emotional during the postgame press conference. "I've enjoyed my experience so much. I've been a part of four amazing group of girls, and I think that's kind of the hardest part of walking away from it is just the bonds we have with this team and teams of past and stuff like that.

"I'm thankful to have been able to be a part of this program, to be able to put on this uniform and fight for the Lady Vols and my team."

Before Pickens' freshman season in 2023, Tennessee hadn't been to the WCWS since 2015. She went three times in four years.

Pickens leaves as a two-time SEC Pitcher of the Year and a three-time first-team All-American. She ended her career with a 71-33 record, 824 strikeouts, 26 shutouts and four no-hitters.

The 6-foot-1 Pickens broke the record as a junior for the fastest softball pitch ever recorded, throwing 78.2 mph during a game last season and bettering it at 79.4 mph in the super regional.

Tennessee coach Karen Weekly said there's "nobody else you want out there in that kind of win-or-go-home situation."