KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee junior pitcher Karlyn Pickens has been recognized among the nation’s elite entering the 2025 campaign. USA Softball named the right-hander to its top 53 watch list for collegiate player of the year, and D1Softball tabbed her to its preseason All-America first-team on Wednesday afternoon.

The Weaverville, North Carolina, native was a consensus first-team All-American after a strong sophomore season in 2024. She enters her third year on Rocky Top as the unquestioned ace of Tennessee’s pitching staff.

Pickens finished the 2024 season with a 22-7 record and an ERA of 1.12, en route to winning SEC Pitcher of the Year honors – joining Monica Abbott as the only Lady Vols to win the award.

She made 38 appearances last season – 27 starts – and tossed 15 complete games with 12 shutouts and a save. Over 188.1 innings pitched, the right-hander notched 225 strikeouts and held opposing hitters to a .156 batting average.

As a sophomore, Pickens posted an ERA of 1.12, leading the SEC and ranking third nationally. She also finished third in the SEC and 23rd in the nation in strikeouts per seven innings (8.4) and ranked third in the league and 18th in Division I with 22 victories.

2025 Tennessee Preseason Award Honors as of Jan. 22

INF Emma Clarke
D1Softball D100 Freshman
Softball America Freshman Watchlist

INF Amayah Doyle
D1Softball D100 Freshman
Softball America Freshman Watchlist

INF McKenna Gibson
D1Softball Top 100 – No. 67

P Sage Mardjetko
Softball America Top 100 – No. 68

C Sophia Nugent
D1Softball Top 100 – No. 96

P Erin Nuwer
D1Softball D100 Freshman
Softball America Freshman Watchlist

INF/OF Taylor Pannell
D1Softball Top 100 – No. 80
Softball America Top 100 – No. 58

P Karlyn Pickens
USA Softball Top 53 Watch List
D1Softball Preseason First-Team All-American
D1Softball Top 100 – No. 4
Softball America Preseason First-Team All-American
Softball America Top 100 – No. 4