Tennessee softball’s social media account didn’t need any words 30 minutes before Sunday’s game, just a shadow image of a certain pitcher that everyone knew was Karlyn Pickens. After nearly two weeks, the All-American would return to the circle against Mississippi State.
With two outs in the fifth inning, Pickens issued her second consecutive walk with Tennessee clinging to a 2-1 lead, and Karen Weekly made her way to the circle with Sage Mardjetko warming up in the bullpen.
Pickens had returned to action after an arm strain, and the senior made her 2026 SEC debut in Starkville. It would have been two runners on after a Bulldog runner walked and easily swiped second, but shortstop Bella Faw alertly kept her glove on the runner, whose hand slipped off the base by maybe an inch. A review overturned the safe call…