Weaverville – Weaverville’s own Karlyn Pickens is turning heads as she leads the Tennessee Lady Volunteers into the 2025 Women’s College World Series. The former North Buncombe High School standout has emerged as one of the most dominant pitchers in collegiate softball, and her recent performances have only solidified her national reputation.
In the Knoxville Super Regional against Nebraska, Pickens was untouchable. In Game 2, she delivered a lights-out performance with 11 strikeouts, clocking a blistering 79.4 mph fastball — the fastest recorded pitch in NCAA Division I softball history, breaking her own previous record. She followed that up in Game 3 with a complete-game shutout, sealing a 1-0 win and punching Tennessee’s ticket to Oklahoma City.
Pickens’ stats this season are elite by any measure. She’s racked up a 23-9 record with a 1.03 ERA and 270 strikeouts. Her command, velocity, and mental toughness earned her back-to-back SEC Pitcher of the Year honors and recognition as Softball America’s Pitcher of the Year — a rare double that speaks volumes about her impact.
The stakes only get higher now. Tennessee opens the Women’s College World Series against four-time defending champion Oklahoma on May 29 at 2:30 p.m. ET. With her arm and leadership, Pickens will be the linchpin in Tennessee’s push for its first national championship.
For Pickens, the national spotlight is a long way from the fields of North Buncombe High, but her journey is a testament to persistence, talent, and raw firepower. As the Lady Vols prepare for the biggest stage in college softball, North Carolina fans — and especially those back home in Buncombe County — have every reason to be proud.