Lady Vols’ Karlyn Pickens Repeats as SEC Pitcher of the Year, Joins Rylie Pannell on First Team All-SEC…

Lady Vols’ Karlyn Pickens Repeats as SEC Pitcher of the Year, Joins Rylie Pannell on First Team All-SEC…

 

The accolades continue to pour in for Tennessee softball as sophomore standout Karlyn Pickens has been named the SEC Pitcher of the Year for the second consecutive season. Pickens, the power-armed right-hander who has dominated opposing lineups all year, also earned a spot on the First Team All-SEC, joining teammate and senior catcher Rylie Pannell, who secured her first career First Team selection.

 

For Pickens, the honor is a testament to both her consistency and growth. After bursting onto the scene as a freshman phenom in 2024, she entered the 2025 season with heightened expectations—and somehow exceeded them. Pickens has been the anchor of the Lady Vols’ pitching staff, posting a 1.32 ERA, 213 strikeouts, and a 21–4 record against one of the toughest schedules in the country.

 

“It’s an incredible honor to be recognized again,” Pickens said following the announcement. “This conference has so many great pitchers, so to receive this award means a lot. I just try to go out and compete every game for my teammates.”

 

Her dominance in the circle has helped propel Tennessee to another strong SEC campaign, with the Lady Vols securing a top-three seed in the upcoming SEC Tournament. Pickens leads the league in strikeouts and opponents’ batting average, while also ranking in the top five in wins and ERA.

 

Meanwhile, senior catcher Rylie Pannell has made her presence felt both behind the plate and in the batter’s box. A vocal leader and defensive stalwart, Pannell is widely respected for her game management and ability to handle an elite pitching staff. Offensively, she’s posted a .347 average with 10 home runs and 39 RBIs, showing power and poise in clutch moments throughout the season.

 

“I’m so proud of Rylie,” head coach Karen Weekly said. “She’s the heart of this team and has worked so hard to elevate her game every year. This recognition is well deserved.”

 

Pannell’s selection to the First Team All-SEC caps off a remarkable senior season and highlights her crucial role in Tennessee’s overall success. Her chemistry with Pickens has been a key factor in the Lady Vols’ defensive efficiency, forming one of the most formidable battery duos in the conference.

 

The back-to-back recognition for Pickens also places her among elite company in SEC history, joining a short list of pitchers who have repeated as the conference’s best. Her performance has been pivotal not just in conference play but in marquee non-conference matchups that have prepared the Lady Vols for a deep postseason run.

 

With the SEC Tournament around the corner and the NCAA Regionals looming, Tennessee is peaking at the right time. Led by Pickens in the circle and Pannell behind the plate, the Lady Vols are primed to make noise in the national spotlight.