Tennessee softball’s stint in the 2026 SEC Tournament was short-lived. In their first appearance in this year’s event, the 5-seed Lady Vols fell to 13-seed Ole Miss 4-1 in the second round. This eliminates UT in the single-elimination format.
Here’s what you need to know about how Tennessee was upset.
Tennessee Strikes First, Then Bats Go Quiet
It seemed like Tennessee was going to take control of this game early. In the bottom of the second inning, Elsa Morrison singled with one out and moved to second on a passed ball. Then, with two outs, Bella Faw singled to score her.
However, the bats fell silent afterward. On the day, the Lady Vols scored just the one run off of four hits. The players to record hits were Ella Dodge, Morrison, Sophia Knight and Faw. The team combined to go 4-for-25 with three drawn walks.
This is the same issue that has some skeptical of Tennessee’s NCAA Tournament chances. The pitching is typically elite between the trio of Karlyn Pickens, Sage Mardjetko and Erin Nuwer, but the bats far too often go missing and fail to put up crooked numbers.
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Sage Mardjetko Started in the Circle, Looked Strong
Getting the start for Tennessee was Sage Mardjetko. It’s easy to argue she’s been the Lady Vols’ best pitcher this year, even over Karlyn Pickens after her injury, and she looked the part.
Mardjetko cruised through the first three innings before running into some trouble. She allowed back-to-back singles to start the frame before forcing a ground ball to second base. However, Ella Dodge committed a fielding error, letting the ball leak into the outfield. The Rebels scored a run as a result.
After recording outs via a foul out and a fielder’s choice, Karen Weekly pulled the plug and went to Pickens out of the bullpen instead. She allowed one more to cross on a single up the middle.
This left Mardjetko’s line at 3.2 innings pitched, two runs (none earned), no walks, three strikeouts and three allowed hits in 48 total pitches.
Karlyn Pickens Can’t Shut It Down Out of the Bullpen
Replacing Sage Mardjetko was Karlyn Pickens, who didn’t have her best day in the circle. After allowing a two-out single to push across Ole Miss’ second run, she got out of the inning on a rundown that ensued following the run crossing.
Afterward, Pickens stayed in the circle for the remainder of the game. In the very next inning, she ran into some trouble, though. Pickens walked two batters and hit one with a pitch to load the bases with just one out in the fifth inning.
That led to an allowed single up the middle, which scored the runners on second and third. These miscues throughout the inning stacked up to give the Rebels a pair of insurance runs in a game where Tennessee was already struggling to get its offense going.
Pickens finished her day with a line of 3.1 innings pitched, two earned runs, four hits, three walks, a hit batter and three strikeouts in 60 total pitches.
Box Score
Up Next
Now, Tennessee will await its NCAA Tournament selection. The Selection Show will air this Sunday, May 10, at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2. It will reveal the entire 64-team field in an hour-long program.
The Lady Vols are on the bubble to be a top-eight seed. That mark is so important because it guarantees a hosting spot in the super regional stage if you can survive the regionals.
2 Responses
I am a college softball fan and like many teams, Tennessee is one of them. Was pulling for them today. The truth is, as you say, the lack of hitting and timely hitting has been the problem and will likely continue to be. Too bad. Karlyn hasn’t been the same since her injury —-to my eyes. Which sucks. Love Sage maybe she was pulled too soon today.
Yes,Pickens control is not good. If Weeks does not fire the hitting coach, then she needs to go. I would have fired him as soon as the game was over. Pathetic!