Fresh off punching their ticket to the Women’s College World Series with a Super Regional sweep over Georgia, the Tennessee Softball team was celebrated before the Savannah Bananas baseball event on Saturday.
Tennessee pitcher and No. 1 AUSL draft pick Karlyn Pickens delivered the first pitch before the game between the Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters.
Karlyn Pickens (@PickensKarlyn) throws out the first pitch for the @TheSavBananas game here at Neyland Stadium! #LadyVols pic.twitter.com/IVJTlxLIAJ
— Sam Rothman (@samrothman_) May 23, 2026
March 26, 2025: The Savannah Bananas announce they need Karlyn Pickens to pitch for them.
May 23, 2026: Karlyn Pickens throws out the first pitch for the Savannah Bananas. https://t.co/Y5M9UwBPpF pic.twitter.com/hzhD7ampth
Advertisement— John Sartori (@JohnSartoriTV) May 23, 2026
More From RTI: VFL Alvin Kamara Joins Savannah Bananas as Pinch Runner, Rounds The Bases During Home Run
Tennessee Softball etched its spot in the Women’s College World Series with a 2-0 series sweep over the Georgia Bulldogs during the Knoxville Super Regional on Thursday and Friday. The Lady Vols won the first game 3-1 and the second game 2-1.
Pickens tossed a complete game during the win on Thursday, striking out 10 batters while only giving up one run.
As a freshman and junior, Pickens was a key piece on teams that made runs to the Women’s College World Series. Now, in her final year, the Lady Vols have proven to be a top team in the country. On May 4, Pickens was selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the AUSL (Athletes Unlimited Softball League) Draft by the Carolina Blaze.
Tennessee Softball and Pickens weren’t the only Volunteer representatives in the stadium on Saturday night. VFL and Tennessee Football legend Alvin Kamara entered the game as a pinch runner during the fifth inning and even rounded the bases during a home run.
Alvin Kamara 🤝 @TheSavBananas #Vols pic.twitter.com/nG67ucHvlQ
— Sam Rothman (@samrothman_) May 24, 2026
Check out the game between the Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters from Neyland Stadium below:
