Tennessee softball's Karlyn Pickens, NCAA record holder for fastest pitch ever, in images
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens, the flame-throwing right-hander catching national attention from the circle, has topped what seemed un-toppable. The Lady Vols star had a pitch clocked at 79.4 mph, which sets the record as the fastest in NCAA history.
The record-setting moment happened during Game 2 of the Knoxville Super Regional against Nebraska. The previous record holder? Karlyn Pickens. She rewrote the record books this season against Arkansas, with a pitch clocked at 78.2 mph.
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In baseball comparisons, both pitches would be over 100 mph.
Perhaps the most impressive part of the dominance came from the supporting cast, though: Cornhuskers Jordy Bahl fouled off the near-80-mph heater.
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens (23) throws a pitch during an NCAA regional game between Tennessee and Miami (Ohio) at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium at University of Tennessee, in Knoxville, Tenn., May 16, 2025. Tennessee defeated Miami (Ohio) 17-0.
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens (23) throws a pitch during an NCAA regional game between Tennessee and Miami (Ohio) at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium at University of Tennessee, in Knoxville, Tenn., May 16, 2025. Tennessee defeated Miami (Ohio) 17-0.
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens (23) celebrates with Tennessee outfielder Taylor Pannell (3) after getting a strikeout during a NCAA regional game between Tennessee and Ohio State at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on May 17, 2025.
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens (23) throws the ball to Tennessee infielder McKenna Gibson (24) for an out during a NCAA regional game between Tennessee and Ohio State at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on May 17, 2025.
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens (23) celebrates a strikeout during a NCAA regional game between Tennessee and Ohio State at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on May 17, 2025.
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens (23) pitches during a NCAA regional game between Tennessee and Ohio State at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on May 17, 2025.
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens
Tennessee outfielder Taylor Pannell (3) celebrates with Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens (23) after a double play during a NCAA regional game between Tennessee and Ohio State at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on May 17, 2025.
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens (23), Tennessee utility Ella Dodge (25) and Tennessee infielder McKenna Gibson (24) celebrate after defeating Ohio State during a NCAA regional game at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on May 18, 2025. Tennessee won 5-0 against Ohio State.
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens (23) celebrates after striking out a batter during a NCAA regional game between Tennessee and Ohio State at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on May 18, 2025. Tennessee won 5-0 against Ohio State.
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens (23) smiles after striking out a batter during a NCAA super regional game between Tennessee and Nebraska at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on May 23, 2025.
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens (23) pitches during a NCAA super regional game between Tennessee and Nebraska at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on May 23, 2025.
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens (23) celebrates the end of an inning during an NCAA super regional game between Tennessee and Nebraska at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on May 24, 2025. Tennessee defeated Nebraska.
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens (23) throws a pitch during an NCAA super regional game between Tennessee and Nebraska at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on May 24, 2025. Tennessee defeated Nebraska.
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens (23) pitches during a NCAA super regionals softball game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Nebraska Cornhuskers at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on May 25, 2025.
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens (23) throws a pitch during an NCAA super regional game between Tennessee and Nebraska at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on May 24, 2025. Tennessee defeated Nebraska.
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens
From left Tennessee catcher Sophia Nugent (7), Tennessee utility player Ella Dodge (25), Tennessee outfielder Taylor Pannell (3), and Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens (23) celebrate after winning an NCAA super regional game between Tennessee and Nebraska.
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens (23) celebrates the end of an inning during an NCAA super regional game between Tennessee and Nebraska at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on May 24, 2025. Tennessee defeated Nebraska.
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens
Tennessee utility player Ella Dodge (25) celebrates with Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens (23) during an NCAA super regional game between Tennessee and Nebraska at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on May 24, 2025. Tennessee defeated Nebraska.
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens (23) warms up during a Lady Vols softball game between Tennessee and Ole Miss at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium, Friday, March 10, 2023.
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens
University of Tennessee Vols Karlyn Pickens (23) winds up for a pitch during the Midstate Classic at Ridley Sports Complex in Columbia, Tenn. on Mar. 15, 2023.
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens (23) pitches during a SEC softball game between Tennessee and Florida at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Monday, April 24, 2023.
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens
Tennessee's Karlyn Pickens (23) throws a pitch during a SEC softball game between Tennessee and South Carolina at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, May 6, 2023.
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens
Jun 5, 2023; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Tennessee Lady Vols pitcher Karlyn Pickens (23) throws a pitch in the third inning against the Florida State Seminoles during the semifinal game at OGE Energy Field at the USA Softball Hall of Fame Complex.
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens (23) smiles after a game against Carson-Newman at Sherri Parker Lee stadium on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023.
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens (23) throws the ball in a game against Carson-Newman at Sherri Parker Lee stadium on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023.
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens
Tennessee's Karlyn Pickens (23) pitches during a NCAA softball game at the Sherri Parker Lee Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Friday, March 15, 2024. The Lady Vols won 9-0 against Missouri.
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens
Tennessee's Karlyn Pickens (23) pitches during a NCAA softball game at the Sherri Parker Lee Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Friday, March 15, 2024. The Lady Vols won 9-0 against Missouri.
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens (23) throws a pitch during a Tennessee softball game between Tennessee and LSU, Saturday, April 20, 2024. LSU beat Tennessee 1-0.
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens (23) during a Tennessee softball game between Tennessee and LSU, Saturday, April 20, 2024. LSU beat Tennessee 1-0.
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens
May 9, 2024; Auburn, AL, USA; Tennessee starting pitcher/relief pitcher Karlyn Pickens (23) against LSU during the quarterfinals of the SEC Softball Championship at Jane B. Moore Field.
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens (23) during a Tennessee softball game between Tennessee and Dayton in the NCAA Regional in Knoxville on Friday, May 17, 2024.
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens
Tennessee Lady Vols starting pitcher/relief pitcher Karlyn Pickens (23) during the game against the Dayton Flyers at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium in Knoxville, TN on Friday, May 17, 2024.
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens (23) during an NCAA super regional game between Tennessee and Alabama at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium in Knoxville, TN, Saturday, May 25, 2024. Alabama defeated Tennessee 3-2 in the 14th inning.
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens (23) pitches during an NCAA super regional game between Tennessee and Alabama at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium in Knoxville, TN, Saturday, May 25, 2024. Alabama defeated Tennessee 3-2 in the 14th inning.
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens (23) throws a pitch during an NCAA super regional game between Tennessee and Alabama at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium in Knoxville, TN, Sunday, May 26, 2024. Alabama defeated Tennessee 4-1.
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens (23) throws a pitch during an NCAA super regional game between Tennessee and Alabama at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium in Knoxville, TN, Sunday, May 26, 2024. Alabama defeated Tennessee 4-1.
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens (23) puts her arms out after getting a strikeout to end the inning during a NCAA softball game between Tennessee and Duke at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Tuesday, March 11, 2025.
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens (23) celebrates winning a NCAA softball game between Tennessee and Duke at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Tuesday, March 11, 2025.
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens (23) celebrates after a strikeout during a NCAA softball game between Tennessee and Arkansas at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium on Saturday, March 22, 2025.
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens
Tennessee's Karlyn Pickens (23) reaxts after one of her pitches was ruled a ball during an NCAA college softball game against Arkansas on Monday, March 24, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn.
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens
Tennessee's Karlyn Pickens (23) and teammates celebrate after Pickens struck out the final batter win the NCAA softball game against Arkansas on Monday, March 24, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn.
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens
Tennessee's Karlyn Pickens (23) pitches against Arkansas during an NCAA college softball game on Monday, March 24, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn.
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens
Tennessee's Charli Orsini (80) and Karlyn Pickens (23) celebrate as the Lady Vols take a 1-run lead against Arkansas during an NCAA college softball game on Monday, March 24, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn.
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens
Tennessee's Karlyn Pickens (23) pitches against Arkansas during an NCAA college softball game on Monday, March 24, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn.
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens, left, celebrates after an NCAA softball game between the Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Tennessee Lady Volunteers at Love's Field in Norman, Okla., Friday, March 28, 2025.
This article originally appeared on The List Wire: Tennessee Vols softball standout Karlyn Pickens in images
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