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No. 10 Tennessee hands No. 1 Texas first home loss behind Pickens, Gibson

Grace Johnsonby:Grace Johnson•04/12/25
Screenshot 2025-04-12 at 8.33.53 PM
Courtesy of Tennessee Athletics

Karlyn Pickens threw just one inning in No. 10 Tennessee’s Friday night loss to No. 1 Texas.

But on Saturday, she went the distance — picking up her 16th win and handing Texas its first home loss of the season. The Lady Vols’ 3–1 victory marked their first road win against a true No. 1 ranked opponent in program history.

Pickens’ powerful arm shut down the dangerous Longhorns lineup, allowing only four hits and one run. The 2024 SEC Pitcher of the Year racked up eight strikeouts and attacked the upper part of the strike zone. Her velocity threw off Texas’ timing, especially on the riseball — which the Longhorns struggled to touch all game.

Tennessee struck first in the opening inning with a two-run blast from senior infielder McKenna Gibson. Gibson barreled a pitch to left-center off senior right-hander Mac Morgan, who had walked the second batter to put a runner on.

In the fourth, Texas made some noise, putting five runners on base. Katie Cimusz singled up the middle to score Katie Stewart and cut the lead to 2–1. Pickens then issued a walk to load the bases with two outs, bringing Victoria Hunter in as a pinch-hitter.

But Pickens forced a groundout to escape the jam and shut down the rally.

The bottom of the fifth proved pivotal. Kayden Henry drew a walk, and a Tennessee error during her steal attempt allowed her to reach third. But head coach Karen Weekly challenged the play, arguing that Henry left early from first.

After review, the umpires agreed — Henry had left early and was ruled out. Without that call, she would’ve likely scored on Mia Scott’s following single and tied the game.

Both teams were clean on defense, with several highlight plays, including a remarkable double play by Henry. Playing left field in a shift, she made a shallow catch and doubled up the runner at first with a laser throw.

Tennessee added an insurance run in the seventh with an RBI single from Alannah Leach — but didn’t end up needing it. Pickens retired the side and shut the door on the Longhorns to seal the win.

The first two games of this series have been surprisingly low-scoring for two offensive-heavy squads. With Texas’ ace Teagan Kavan pitching Friday and Pickens earning the win in game two, Sunday’s rubber match is shaping up to be a battle.

The first pitch is set for 1 p.m. ET on ESPN at Red & Charline McCombs Field.

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