Tennessee junior softball player Karlyn Pickens earned both a conference and national weekly honor.
Pickens was named SEC Pitcher of the Week and the National Fast Pitch Coaches Association Pitcher of the Week following three conference victories over No. 14 Arkansas and No. 2 Oklahoma. She totaled 18 strikeouts in 17 innings pitched against the Razorbacks and Sooners. Pickens' selection as NFCA Pitcher of the Week marks the first time since 2017 for a Lady Vols pitcher to win a national award.
Pickens, who posted a 1.65 ERA in three wins, made one start and two relief appearances. In a relief appearance on March 24 against the Razorbacks, she pitched 4.1 innings of scoreless relief, while not allowing a hit.
She made history by recording the fastest pitch in history (78.2 miles per hour), eclipsing former Lady Vol Monica Abbott's previous National Pro Fastpitch record of 77 miles per hour, which was set in 2012 with the Chicago Bandits.
In the series opener against the Sooners, Pickens earned a relief victory, pitching 5.2 innings in the eight-inning game. She allowed one earned run and six hits, while recording six strikeouts.
In Sunday's series finale against the Sooners, Pickens pitched a complete game, allowing three earned runs, four hits and three walks. She recorded six strikeouts.
Her two wins at Oklahoma helped Tennessee win the series in Norman, making the Lady Vols the third team since 2006 to win a series there.
This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: Karlyn Pickens earns conference, national weekly honors
