The University of Tennessee softball team has secured a spot in the Women’s College World Series after defeating Nebraska 1-0 in game three of their super regional series. The decisive win was achieved by Karlyn Pickens, who pitched a complete game shutout with 10 strikeouts and allowed just two hits.
In the top of the first inning, Ella Dodge hit a solo home run to give Tennessee the lead. The Lady Vols then played a pitcher’s duel in the middle innings, with neither team able to score until the fifth inning when Pickens loaded the bases by allowing an infield single and a walk on a hit-by-pitch.
Pickens then made quick work of the Huskers’ offense, striking out three batters in a row to preserve the 1-0 lead. She was aided by her defense, particularly Alannah Leach, who gunned down Nebraska’s lone runner at second base to end the game.
The win advances Tennessee to the Women’s College World Series for the ninth time in program history, where they will face the Sooners of Oklahoma City on May 29th. The Lady Vols’ first opponent will be a two-seed team with four straight national titles, marking an exciting new chapter in the team’s postseason journey.
Source: https://tennessee.rivals.com/news/tennessee-softball-headed-to-9th-ever-women-s-college-world-series