College softball’s fastest flamethrower just got faster.
Tennessee softball ace Karlyn Pickens had already thrown the fastest pitch ever recorded at 78.2 mph. But in the first inning of the super regional against Nebraska on May 24, she beat her own record.
Pickens threw 79.4 mph during Nebraska pitcher Jordy Bahl’s first at-bat of Game 2.
Pickens tied the previous record of 77 mph by Tennessee legend Monica Abbott earlier in the season twice before she broke it against Arkansas on March 24. Abbott originally set the record during a National Pro Fastpitch game in 2012.
The Weaverville, North Carolina, native is known for her velocity as one of the few pitchers to consistently throw in the mid 70s and higher.
Tennessee was tied 2-2 with Nebraska after the first inning. The No. 7 seed Lady Vols (43-15) lost Game 1 to the Huskers 5-2, and they would need to win Game 2 to extend their season and force a rubber match on May 25.
Pickens had already thrown five strikeouts in the first two innings of Game 2.
Pickens won her second straight SEC Pitcher of the Year award this season after leading the conference in ERA and strikeouts. She currently has a 0.99 ERA and 259 strikeouts on the season.
Cora Hall covers University of Tennessee women’s athletics. Email her at [email protected] and follow her on X @corahalll. If you enjoy Cora’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that allows you to access all of it.
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