Tennessee softball, Karlyn Pickens can't overcome fourth-inning nightmare vs Nebraska in super regional
Tennessee softball unraveled in the fourth inning against Nebraska, and it cost the Lady Vols a chance to start the NCAA super regional off with a win.
The No. 7 seed Lady Vols trailed by one run going into the fourth, but they once again committed errors against the Huskers that put the game out of reach. Tennessee lost 5-2 in Game 1 at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium on May 23, falling behind 1-0 to Nebraska (43-13) in the three-game series.
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The Lady Vols (43-15) will face Nebraska in Game 2 of the super regional on Saturday (5 p.m. ET, ESPN).
The nightmarish fourth inning started with a solo homer from Hannah Camenzind in Nebraska's first at-bat. Then Tennessee was on the wrong side of a safe call and challenge with two outs.
Catcher Sophia Nugent threw to second base after a wild pitch from Karlyn Pickens bounced off the wall. Nugent's throw led shortstop Laura Mealer right into Bella Bacon's foot for the tag, but the umpire called her safe. Tennessee challenged and lost.
Then Nebraska pitcher Jordy Bahl – who scored the Huskers' first two runs – hit a fly ball to shallow left field. Mealer was under the ball, ready to make a clean catch. But freshman outfielder Saviya Morgan tried to make the catch, too, and the ball dropped to the ground, allowing one runner to score.
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Pickens then made an error on the throw home and another run got across, making it a 5-1 lead for Nebraska. That marked the end of the night for Pickens after 3⅔ innings. Pickens had seven strikeouts, four hits, two walks and three earned runs.
The Lady Vols took too long to get things going offensively against Bahl. They only had three hits through the first four innings. Tennessee ended the night with seven hits, six strikeouts and five left on base. UT scored its second run of the night off a wild pitch from Bahl.
Pickens had seven strikeouts, four hits, two walks and three earned runs in 3⅔ innings. Sage Mardjetko relieved Pickens in the fourth inning when the Huskers extended the lead, and Mardjetko had one strikeout and two walks in 3⅓ innings.
Bahl ended the night with six strikeouts, seven hits allowed and two earned runs. She went 1-for-3 with one walk and two runs scored.
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Cora Hall covers University of Tennessee women's athletics. Email her at cora.hall@knoxnews.com and follow her on X @corahalll. If you enjoy Cora's coverage, consider a digital subscription that allows you to access all of it.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee softball, Karlyn Pickens fall to Nebraska in super regional

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