LEXINGTON, Ky. – Senior right-hander Karlyn Pickens tossed her fourth career no-hitter Saturday at John Cropp Stadium, leading No. 9 Tennessee to a 5-0 shutout of Kentucky.
Pickens (11-4) struck out 12 and walked one in a complete-game performance. She has now thrown a no-hitter in each of her four seasons on Rocky Top. The effort marked Tennessee’s first no-hitter against an SEC opponent since Ashley Rogers blanked Ole Miss on March 10, 2023.
It was the fifth no-hitter by the Lady Vols’ pitching staff this season, the 13th under pitching coach Megan Rhodes Smith and the 66th in program history.
Tennessee (34-6, 10-6 SEC) broke through in the fourth inning on Emma Clarke’s leadoff home run – her ninth of the season and second leadoff blast of the year.
The Lady Vols added to their lead in the fifth with small ball and key situational hitting. Saviya Morgan drew a leadoff walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch before Maddi Rutan laid down a sacrifice bunt to move her to third. Freshman Meredith Barnhart followed with a sacrifice fly to left, scoring Morgan.
Elsa Morrison extended the lead to 3-0 with her fourth home run of the season in the sixth. Tennessee added two more runs in the seventh on back-to-back home runs by Gabby Leach and Ella Dodge.
Kentucky (24-20, 1-15 SEC) starter McKenzie Oslanzi (3-5) took the loss, allowing two runs on three hits over 4.1 innings with one walk and two strikeouts. Sarah Haendiges surrendered three runs on three hits with two walks and three strikeouts over 2.2 innings of work in relief.
DUE UP
Tennessee and Kentucky are set for Game 2 of the series on Sunday, with first pitch scheduled for 6 p.m. ET on SEC Network.
