Lady Vols Prepare for WCWS Opener Against Oklahoma
The Tennessee Lady Vols are set to commence their 2025 Women's College World Series (WCWS) journey today, Thursday, May 29, facing off against the No. 2 seed and four-time defending champion Oklahoma Sooners at 2:30 p.m. ET at Devon Park in Oklahoma City.
Entering the tournament as the No. 7 seed, Tennessee boasts a 45–14 record under the guidance of head coach Karen Weekly. This marks the program's ninth WCWS appearance and second in the past three seasons.
The Lady Vols advanced to the WCWS after a resilient performance in the Knoxville Super Regional, where they overcame an initial loss to Nebraska by winning two consecutive elimination games. Pitcher Karlyn Pickens was instrumental in this comeback, delivering two complete games with a combined 21 strikeouts and only two walks. Pickens, a junior, has had a standout season, recording a 22–8 record with a 0.90 ERA and 252 strikeouts. Notably, she set a new NCAA record for the fastest pitch ever thrown in softball at 79.4 mph during the Super Regionals.
Offensively, Ella Dodge provided crucial support in the Super Regionals, hitting two home runs off former Oklahoma ace Jordy Bahl. University of Tennessee Athletics+1Reuters+1
Tennessee and Oklahoma are familiar foes, having faced each other in a three-game series in Norman earlier this season, where the Lady Vols secured a 2–1 series victory. University of Tennessee Athletics
The WCWS operates on a double-elimination format, with the final two teams competing in a best-of-three series starting June 4.
Fans can watch today's game live on ESPN or listen to the official Vol Network radio broadcast on Sports Radio WNML (AM 990), as well as through UTSports.com
Entering the tournament as the No. 7 seed, Tennessee boasts a 45–14 record under the guidance of head coach Karen Weekly. This marks the program's ninth WCWS appearance and second in the past three seasons.
The Lady Vols advanced to the WCWS after a resilient performance in the Knoxville Super Regional, where they overcame an initial loss to Nebraska by winning two consecutive elimination games. Pitcher Karlyn Pickens was instrumental in this comeback, delivering two complete games with a combined 21 strikeouts and only two walks. Pickens, a junior, has had a standout season, recording a 22–8 record with a 0.90 ERA and 252 strikeouts. Notably, she set a new NCAA record for the fastest pitch ever thrown in softball at 79.4 mph during the Super Regionals.
Offensively, Ella Dodge provided crucial support in the Super Regionals, hitting two home runs off former Oklahoma ace Jordy Bahl. University of Tennessee Athletics+1Reuters+1
Tennessee and Oklahoma are familiar foes, having faced each other in a three-game series in Norman earlier this season, where the Lady Vols secured a 2–1 series victory. University of Tennessee Athletics
The WCWS operates on a double-elimination format, with the final two teams competing in a best-of-three series starting June 4.
Fans can watch today's game live on ESPN or listen to the official Vol Network radio broadcast on Sports Radio WNML (AM 990), as well as through UTSports.com