11th shutout of the year for the star sophomore
Following a disappointing performance in the SEC tournament, the Lady Vols hosted their first regional game against the Dayton Flyers.
Just like they’d done all season, Tennessee looked to Sophomore phenom Karlyn Pickens to carry them from inside the circle — and carry them she did.
From the first pitch of the game, Pickens looked locked in, striking out the side in order on just 12 pitches. 12…..pitches (read that like the guy from Elf who says SIX….inches). The first inning was just a sign of things to come for Pickens, who retired 12 of the first 14 batters she faced. Pickens, who was recently named a top-10 finalist for USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year, finished with the game 12 strikeouts, allowing two hits in seven innings of work. Most impressive part? She did it in only 75 pitches. Economic as all hell. It was the seventh time this year she recorded 10 or more strikeouts, and it was her 11th shutout of the season.
M6: 11 KOs for KP https://t.co/I3xqzeAzAi (ESPN+) pic.twitter.com/gNQEkYUN3R
— Tennessee Softball (@Vol_Softball) May 17, 2024
Offensively, Tennessee didn’t have much going as for the second consecutive game. All-American outfielder Kiki Milloy logged another hitless game, going 0-4 with two strikeouts and leaving two runners on base. The Lady Vols only mustered together four hits in total. But thankfully, four hits was all they needed.
In the bottom of the second inning Destiny Rodriguez launched a two run single over the wall – yes, you read that correctly. It was initially a three run home run, but because Rodriguez past Koutsoyanopulos while rounding first base, she was ruled out and the three run home run was then ruled a two-run single. Got all that? Good.
Tennessee was able to add an insurance run in the bottom of the 5th after Sophia Nugent singled in Taylor Pannell.
Tennessee will now play Virginia, tomorrow at 1:00pm ET. You can find a full boxscore of today’s game here.