It’s easy to argue that Tennessee softball has the best pitching staff in the country. The Lady Vols enter the 2026 Women’s College World Series with a pair of First-Team All-Americans in Karlyn Pickens and Sage Mardjetko, while also boasting sophomore Erin Nuwer with an ERA under one.
While Pickens takes the headlines of the group for what she’s done across four seasons and the absurd, record-breaking speeds she reaches in the circle, it could be fair to say that Mardjetko has had the best season to this point.
However, despite Mardjetko posting a 1.08 ERA and 15-2 record on the season, Texas head coach Mike White geared his team up for Pickens’ velocity instead. The result was a shutdown performance in the circle for Mardjetko as she went four innings while allowing one hit and no runs before handing the ball to Pickens with a lead.
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“We have pitching machines now. We crank those things up,” White said after the game. “I’m pitching from about 25 feet, letting it go. You have to pick one or the other. I think we were more prepared for Karlyn than we were for Mardjetko. They have a staff of three. I think the lowest team ERA in the country. Pick your poison.
“We chose a little bit long, as I said. Also told the ladies that we got to be able to adjust off that, too. It’s easy to gear yourself down then gear yourself up, I thought.”
When Pickens took the mound, Texas found much more success. In three innings, she surrendered four hits and a pair of earned runs, but still held on to earn the save.
It’s this combination that makes UT so deadly, though. Having a three-headed monster that keeps teams on their toes never allows them to fully prepare for the different looks they’ll see throughout games.
Next, it’ll be Texas Tech looking to deal with Tennessee’s arms. The teams will meet in the 1-0 game of the WCWS on Saturday at 3 p.m. ET. Karen Weekly hasn’t named a starter yet, but it’s probably safe to say it’ll be multiple pitchers in the circle throughout the evening in orange.
