University of Tennessee Athletics
Pickens Named Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame Female Amateur Athlete of the Year
May 13, 2026 | Softball
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee softball standout Karlyn Pickens has been named the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame Female Amateur Athlete of the Year.
A native of Weaverville, North Carolina, Pickens has established herself as one of the premier pitchers in collegiate softball during her time on Rocky Top. She was named the 2025 Softball America National Pitcher of the Year and is a two-time SEC Pitcher of the Year, earning the honor in both 2024 and 2025. Pickens also garnered consensus First Team All-America recognition in consecutive seasons from NFCA, D1Softball and Softball America.
Entering the 2026 postseason, Pickens has appeared in 138 games with 90 starts in the circle, compiling a 69-32 record and a 1.48 ERA. The senior right-hander has totaled 53 complete games, 26 shutouts and 11 saves while striking out 787 batters across 617.2 innings pitched. Opponents have hit just .164 against her during her collegiate career.
One of the most dominant pitchers in program history, Pickens has earned SEC Pitcher of the Week honors eight times and was named SEC Freshman of the Week on three occasions in 2023. During the 2025 campaign, she became the first player in NFCA history to be named National Pitcher of the Week in three consecutive weeks.
Pickens has also played a major role in Tennessee's postseason success, helping guide the Lady Vols to Women's College World Series appearances in 2023 and 2025, including trips to the national semifinals both seasons. She has been part of three SEC championship teams, contributing to regular-season conference titles in 2023 and 2024 as well as the 2023 SEC Tournament championship.
Away from the field, Pickens has made a significant impact in the Knoxville community through extensive volunteer and outreach efforts. She has volunteered at Lonsdale Elementary School, assisted with Special Olympics events and dedicated time to organizations such as Emerald Youth and Girls Inc. Pickens has also participated in community initiatives including the Community Holiday Meal and Voloween.
In the classroom, Pickens has excelled throughout her collegiate career. She earned 2025 College Sports Communicators Academic All-America second-team honors and is a two-time CSC Academic All-District selection. A consistent member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll, Pickens has twice been named to the SEC Spring Academic Honor Roll and was also recognized on the 2022-23 First-Year SEC Academic Honor Roll.
A native of Weaverville, North Carolina, Pickens has established herself as one of the premier pitchers in collegiate softball during her time on Rocky Top. She was named the 2025 Softball America National Pitcher of the Year and is a two-time SEC Pitcher of the Year, earning the honor in both 2024 and 2025. Pickens also garnered consensus First Team All-America recognition in consecutive seasons from NFCA, D1Softball and Softball America.
Entering the 2026 postseason, Pickens has appeared in 138 games with 90 starts in the circle, compiling a 69-32 record and a 1.48 ERA. The senior right-hander has totaled 53 complete games, 26 shutouts and 11 saves while striking out 787 batters across 617.2 innings pitched. Opponents have hit just .164 against her during her collegiate career.
One of the most dominant pitchers in program history, Pickens has earned SEC Pitcher of the Week honors eight times and was named SEC Freshman of the Week on three occasions in 2023. During the 2025 campaign, she became the first player in NFCA history to be named National Pitcher of the Week in three consecutive weeks.
Pickens has also played a major role in Tennessee's postseason success, helping guide the Lady Vols to Women's College World Series appearances in 2023 and 2025, including trips to the national semifinals both seasons. She has been part of three SEC championship teams, contributing to regular-season conference titles in 2023 and 2024 as well as the 2023 SEC Tournament championship.
Away from the field, Pickens has made a significant impact in the Knoxville community through extensive volunteer and outreach efforts. She has volunteered at Lonsdale Elementary School, assisted with Special Olympics events and dedicated time to organizations such as Emerald Youth and Girls Inc. Pickens has also participated in community initiatives including the Community Holiday Meal and Voloween.
In the classroom, Pickens has excelled throughout her collegiate career. She earned 2025 College Sports Communicators Academic All-America second-team honors and is a two-time CSC Academic All-District selection. A consistent member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll, Pickens has twice been named to the SEC Spring Academic Honor Roll and was also recognized on the 2022-23 First-Year SEC Academic Honor Roll.
Players Mentioned
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/ SoftballSB | Karen Weekly Press Conference (5.5.26)
Tuesday, May 05
SB | Karlyn Pickens Media Availability (5.5.26)
Tuesday, May 05
SB | Karen Weekly Postgame at Missouri (5.1.26)
Friday, May 01
SB | Karen Weekly Postgame at Missouri (4.30.26)
Thursday, April 30
