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Karlyn Pickens of Tennessee throws fastest pitch in NCAA softball history
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Karlyn Pickens rewrote the NCAA record books on Monday night.
The Tennessee pitcher clocked the fastest recorded pitch in NCAA softball history at 78.2 mph.
78.2 MPH
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) March 25, 2025
Karlyn Pickens just threw the FASTEST recorded pitch in NCAA Softball history @Vol_Softball pic.twitter.com/CHhnAOvbhc
The pitch came in Monday’s win over Arkansas. The Razorbacks jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the 1st inning. The Volunteers answered with 3 runs in the bottom of the inning. There was no more scoring the rest of the way, as Tennessee secured the win in the 7th.
Pickens was the game’s winning pitcher, improving her season numbers to an 11-4 record with a 0.82 ERA. She tossed 4.1 scoreless innings on 56 pitches, striking out 6 while walking just 2 opposing batters without giving up a hit.
Arkansas scored its 2 runs off of Sage Mardjetko. Her final line was 2.2 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 3 K. Pickens entered the game in the top of the 3rd.
Tennessee scored its 3 runs with a 1-out sac fly from Sophia Nugent and 2-out 2-RBI double by Laura Mealer. The Vols are now 27-6 on the season with a 3-3 record in SEC play.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
