Why Tennessee ace Karlyn Pickens has spirit of Jimmy Chitwood from film 'Hoosiers'
Karlyn Pickens was at her best with 10 strikeouts to seal a 3-1 win for Tennessee softball to open the NCAA super regional against Georgia.
The adrenaline was pumping through Karlyn Pickens' veins in the top of the seventh inning, she said, with runners on every base surrounding her. But Tennessee softball's senior ace was exactly where she wanted to be – in the circle with the ball in her hands and the game on the line. Pickens said she felt the energy from the packed crowd at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium and the pressure of the moment, two outs away from a win over Georgia in the NCAA super regional on May 21.
Pickens (15-7) struck out the next two batters swinging in eight pitches to seal the 3-1 win for the No. 7 seed Lady Vols (46-10). It was – almost – the best kind of win Pickens could dream up.
"I’d hope for the bases not to be loaded in that moment, to be honest, but it’s really just electric," said Pickens, who threw 10 strikeouts with seven hits allowed and three walks. Tennessee needs one more win against the Bulldogs (41-19) and a win in Game 2 on May 22 (3 p. m.
ET, ESPN2) will send the Lady Vols to the Women's College World Series for a second straight season. Tennessee coach Karen Weekly said she has never coached a player like Pickens. She embodies the spirit of Jimmy Chitwood in the film "Hoosiers," which Weekly said they show to every freshman and newcomer.