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Pickens, Dodge propel Lady Vols over Huskers to even Knoxville Super Regional

by: Tara Henry05/24/25
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Photo courtesy of Tennessee Athletics

In a rematch of Game One’s pitchers’ duel, Tennessee’s Karlyn Pickens and Nebraska’s Jordy Bahl returned to the circle. Pickens was dominant, going the distance while allowing just two runs on five hits and striking out 11 to help even the Super Regional in Knoxville.

The Lady Vols capitalized early with a 2-0 lead, thanks to Ella Dodge’s two-run home run in the first inning.

Tennessee made strategic lineup adjustments, stacking the top of the order with hitters who had previous success against Bahl, and the move paid off. The offense applied pressure early, forcing the Nebraska ace to labor through key at-bats.

Gabby Leach led off the game after getting hit by a pitch. Following a strikeout of Sophia Nugent on a high riseball, Leach advanced to second on a passed ball. Dodge stepped up and launched a two-run shot to right field, putting Tennessee on top.

Nebraska responded in the bottom half of the inning. Bahl and Samantha Bland hit back-to-back singles, then advanced on a sacrifice fly to right. A sharply hit ball up the middle deflected off Pickens’ glove and trickled into the outfield, allowing both runners to score and tie the game at 2-2.

Pickens made history in the game, breaking her own record with a pitch clocked at 79.4 mph against Bahl.

In the top of the third, Leach drew a walk and Nugent followed with a single up the middle. Dodge, already with a homer in the books, came to the plate again. This time, it was McKenna Gibson who delivered — her sacrifice fly to right field brought home the go-ahead run, making it 3-2.

The score held through three tense, scoreless innings. Nebraska mounted a final threat in the bottom of the seventh. Pickens struck out Olivia DiNardo to start the inning, but then gave up an infield single to Bella Bacon.

Pinch runner Kennadi Williams stayed put despite a wild pitch that could have moved her into scoring position. Emmerson Cope entered as a pinch hitter and delivered a single down the right field line, putting runners on the corners. With the game on the line, Ava Bredwell flied out to center, sealing the Lady Vols’ 3-2 victory and forcing the if-necessary game.

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