No. 7 Tennessee softball is about to embark in its fourth-straight super regional and 15th in program history. The opponent for the best-of-three set in Knoxville this time is SEC foe, No. 10 Georgia.
If the Lady Vols claim a series win, it’d be a trip to their 10th Women’s College World Series and second in a row. For the Bulldogs, they are looking for their sixth-ever WCWS and first since 2021.
Here is what you need to know ahead of the Knoxville Super Regional, including a prediction.
How To Watch: No. 7 Tennessee softball (45-10, 16-8 SEC) vs. No. 10 Georgia (41-18, 12-12 SEC)
Each game will be played in Sherri Parker Lee Stadium in Knoxville. Rain is expected throughout the weekend, which could move start times.
GAME 1
- Thursday, May 21
- 7 p.m. ET
- ESPN2
GAME 2
- Friday, May 22
- 3 p.m. ET
- ESPN 2
GAME 3 (if necessary)
- Saturday, May 23
- 11 a.m. ET
- ESPN
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Projected Starting Lineups
Most recent batting order used by both teams
Tennessee:
CF Sophia Knight
DP Alannah Leach
C Elsa Morrison
2B Emma Clarke
1B Makenzie Butt
3B Ella Dodge
RF Gabby Leach
LF Taelyn Holley
SS Bella Faw
Georgia:
2B Keirstin Roose
LF Jaydyn Goodwin
RF Sarah Gordon
1B Gabi Novickas
DP Tyler Ellison
3B Bailey Lindemuth
C Marisa Miller
SS Emily Digby
CF Natalie Ray
Top Pitchers
Tennessee:
Karlyn Pickens – 1.60 ERA, 13-7 (29 app, 13 gs)
Sage Mardjetko – 1.11 ERA, 13-2 (27 app, 20 gs)
Erin Nuwer – 1.00 ERA, 15-1 (25 app, 16 gs)
Georgia:
Addisen Fisher – 2.50 ERA, 12-5 (25 app, 17 gs)
Randi Roelling – 3.05 ERA, 18-9 (35 app, 28 gs)
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What Tennessee HC Karen Weekly Said
On preparing for the super regional (asked after Knoxville Regional clinching win)
“Right now, rest. Like tomorrow, we need this big rest and recovery day. We won’t know till later tonight if we’re playing Thursday or Friday. We know who we’re playing, Georgia. We didn’t play them this year, but obviously, being in the SEC, we know what they’ve done and what kind of team they are. One of the best offenses in the SEC this year and in the country. If you’re the best in the SEC, you’re the best in the country. We also have the best pitching staff.
“They have a really well-rounded pitching staff. I think probably a little bit deeper than they’ve had in the last couple years. We have a dynamic offense that is hitting its stride when we need to be hitting our stride. So it’s supers. I mean, there’s not a whole lot that separates seven and 10, so it’s going to be a battle.”
Series History
- Overall: 48-41 Tennessee
- In Knoxville: 21-19 Tennessee
- Current streak: 1 W Tennessee
- Last 10 meetings: 5-5
- Last meeting: 5-2 Tennessee (3/9/2025 – Athens)
- Last series: 2-1 Tennessee (March 2025 – Athens)
Prediction
The same concerns that typically follow Tennessee softball have been the issues this season, as well. The pitching is elite, but the bats don’t always show up.
The Knoxville Regional could be a jumping-off point for the Lady Vols’ offense, though. After a somewhat sluggish opener against Northern Kentucky, the UT bats got hot in both wins over a solid Virginia team to clinch the regional. If Tennessee can stay hot at the plate, they’re as good as anyone in the country.
The Lady Vols’ pitching also looked great. Erin Nuwer shut things down in game one, Sage Mardjetko and Karlyn Pickens held UVA at bay in game two and Pickens threw a complete game against the Hoos to finish it off.
While Georgia is certainly a formidable opponent, I’ll take Tennessee to win a pair of close games and dance back to the Women’s College World Series.
Tennessee sweeps
