In 2025, Karlyn Pickens, a star pitcher for the Volunteers and the defending Southeastern Conference softball pitcher of the year, made a goal to throw the fastest pitch ever recorded in the sport. It happened on Monday with the flamethrower. She surpassed the previous record set by Monica Abbott, a former Lady Vol when she hit 78.2 miles per hour off of a pitch in the sixth inning against Arkansas.
I am on the verge of setting a new record for the quickest pitch. “So that’s something we’re thinking about, but for now all we want is to keep the momentum going,” Pickens told Softball America earlier this year. So far, I have accomplished a lot, and I want to continue this streak of success. I want to make it a point to hone my hitting mechanics and introduce different pitches every year to improve my game.
In a National Pro Fastpitch game earlier in 2025, Pickens tied Abbott for the record with a pitch that reached 77 miles per hour. Very different for a college junior who wants to keep building strength. It might be that 80 MPH is the next target.
Arkansas and Pickens’ matchup
In relief, the right-hander was masterful, helping Tennessee salvage a 3-2 series victory against Arkansas. To keep the Lady Vols’ advantage at one run, Pickens came in during the third inning. Her 11-0 record is the result of 4.1 innings pitched in which she allowed no hits and struck out six batters.
Pickens’ next objective is to lead Tennessee to a victory against the Oklahoma Sooners, who have won the last four games in a row when the Volunteers visit Norman this coming weekend.