Tennessee softball isn’t just picking up where it left off - it’s charging forward with purpose. After falling just short of the Women’s College World Series championship series last spring, the Volunteers are back with a vengeance in 2026, and their early-season form is making a loud statement.
On Sunday afternoon at the Clearwater Invitational, No. 3 Tennessee delivered another powerhouse performance, dismantling No.
7 Florida State 9-1 to move to a perfect 10-0 on the season. That’s already four wins over top-10 opponents for the Vols - and it’s only mid-February.
This one wasn’t just a win - it was a message. Florida State, now 8-2, became the latest ranked team to run into Tennessee’s buzzsaw, as the Vols continue their march toward another postseason run in Oklahoma City.
Last year, it was Texas who ended Tennessee’s dream in the WCWS. This year, the Vols look like a team on a mission to finish what they started.
A big part of Sunday’s win was the steady hand - and electric arm - of senior pitcher Karlyn Pickens. Called into action early, Pickens entered with two outs in the second inning and the bases loaded.
No problem. She calmly shut the door with a strikeout, then proceeded to dominate the rest of the way.
Over 5.1 innings, she gave up just one hit, struck out four, and walked two, improving to 3-0 on the season.
Pickens’ poise in the circle was backed by an offense that wasted no time setting the tone. Ella Dodge launched a three-run homer in the first inning, and from there, Tennessee never looked back. The bats stayed hot all afternoon, and the Vols ran away with another statement win.
That offensive firepower has been on full display all weekend in Clearwater. Tennessee went 5-0 at the tournament, outscoring opponents by a jaw-dropping 43-2 margin. They racked up 46 hits and crushed seven home runs in the process - a clear sign that this lineup is as dangerous as any in the country right now.
This is a team that’s not just winning - it’s dominating. And while it’s still early, the signs are impossible to ignore. Tennessee looks locked in, hungry, and more than capable of making another deep postseason run.
Next up: Missouri State on Friday. If the Vols keep playing like this, it’s going to take a lot to slow them down.