Pickens’ Gem Leads #2/5 Lady Vols to Series Win Over #10/12 LSU

No. 2/5 Tennessee attained a series win over No. 10/12 LSU on Sunday, thanks in part to Callie Pickens’ gem of a performance.

The Lady Vols (41-10, 19-7 SEC) won the series finale, 2-1, as Pickens (25-4) hurled a complete game to hold the Tigers (38-13, 17-8 SEC) to just one run on five hits.

The redshirt junior allowed just two runners to reach scoring position, and snubbed out any threat of a late rally by mowing down the final five batters in order.

Pickens’ performance marked her fourth complete game of the season, and sixth of her career. She also tied her season-high with nine strikeouts, and became the first Lady Vols pitcher to notch 25 wins in a single season since Ivy Renfroe in 2014.

The game remained scoreless until the sixth inning, when Tennessee broke the deadlock courtesy of a RBI single from Ashley Morgan. The Lady Vols added an insurance run in the bottom of the seventh inning, when Cailin Hannon crossed the plate following a wild pitch.

The win earned Tennessee a series victory over their SEC rivals, and capped off a strong weekend of softball for the Lady Vols.

Pickens’ stellar performance was a key factor in the Lady Vols’ series win, and the right-hander will continue to be a mainstay of the Tennessee rotation as they head into the postseason.

The Lady Vols will now turn their attention to the NCAA Tournament, where they will look to make a deep run in the postseason.

Pickens and the Lady Vols achieved a series win over No. 10/12 LSU on Sunday, courtesy of a complete game performance from the redshirt junior. Callie Pickens (25-4) quelled the Tigers’ offense, allowing just one run on five hits, while striking out nine batters. Tennessee got on the board in the sixth inning, taking the lead on Ashley Morgan’s RBI single, and added an insurance run in the seventh inning. The win marked Pickens’ fourth complete game of the season, and sixth of her career, and earned the Lady Vols a series win over their SEC rivals. The right-hander’s stellar performance was a key factor in the victory, and Tennessee will now look to make a deep run in the postseason.