Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens threw the fastest pitch in NCAA college softball history on March 24, 2025 and set the Women’s College NCAA record. She threw the ball 78.2 mph for a strike, which is equivalent to 100+ mph in baseball. I’m sure Tennessee is proud and accomplished to have Karlyn on their team.
At Tennessee, she pitched 23 no-hitters and six perfect games and was named the 2023 SEC Freshman of the Year. She made the 2024 Consensus First Team All-American 2024 and was a Top 10 Finalist for USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year.
I asked Samaira what her thoughts were on Karlyn Pickens, and she said, “She is very inspirational and is very good at pitching because she set an NCAA world record.” Samaira watches her on TV in her free time and likes her.
In high school, she was a young prodigy. Karlyn Pickens led the Blackhawks (15-1) to the Class 3A state semifinals. She contributed to a 12-1 record with a 0.41 ERA, allowing just 12 hits and 21 walks in 85 innings pitched while striking out 207 batters. Pickens was ranked as the nation’s No. 6 prospect in the Class of 2022 by Extra Inning Softball and was eventually recruited by the University of Tennessee.
Genesis also shared her thoughts on Karlyn Pickens and said, “I think that she is very strong and powerful.” I told Genesis about Karlyn, which she had never heard about her, so this just goes to show how inspiring she is.
Karlyn maintains good grades because, in high school, she had a 4.18 GPA and she was on the 2022-23 SEC First-Year Honor Roll in college. Pickens goes to the University of Tennessee and majors in Sports Management.
