Game Recap: Softball | May 19, 2024

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – With its third shutout in the Knoxville Regional, the third-seeded Lady Vols punched their ticket to Super Regionals – defeating Virginia 6-0 at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium.

Tennessee (43-10) shut out Dayton and Virginia twice as it cruised to the program’s 13th appearance in Super Regionals. It is the first time UT has reached supers in back-to-back seasons since 2018 and 2019.

Karlyn Pickens was lights-out in the circle, tossing a complete game to earn her 21st win of the year. The sophomore scattered two hits and allowed just one walk while striking out seven batters on the day.

Pickens’ dominant outing included taking a no-hitter into the fifth inning before Virginia finally broke through with a hit. The shutout win is her 12th this season and 15th complete game.

Rylie West led the Lady Vols offensively, going 3-for-4 with a career-high tying five RBIs. The senior outfielder was a triple short of the cycle as she opened the game with a single in the first, a double in the third and a solo home run in the fifth.

Zaida Puni also picked up a pair of hits and drove in a run in the third frame.

Tennessee hung crooked numbers on the scoreboard in the first and third innings, which proved to be the difference as the Lady Vols kept the pressure on Virginia.

Kiki Milloy drew four walks and scored twice with runs in the first and third.

Eden Bigham – who tossed two shutouts for Virginia during the Knoxville Regional – got the start on Sunday. She threw 2.1 innings, allowing five runs on four hits with two walks and two strikeouts.

Madison Harris took over for Bigham in the third and finished the game, pitching 4.2 frames. She scattered four hits with one run, two walks and three strikeouts.

STATS OF THE WEEKEND
For the fourth time in program history, Tennessee did not allow a run during regionals – joining the 2005, 2007 and 2013 squads in achieving the feat.

Pickens and graduate pitcher Payton Gottshall combined for 24 strikeouts and just one walk over 19 innings of work. The duo allowed seven hits in three games.

UP NEXT
Tennessee will play host to No. 14 seed Alabama in the Knoxville Super Regional this weekend. Game times and dates have yet to be announced by the NCAA.