University of Tennessee Athletics
Saturday, April 25
Knoxville
7 PM ET
University of Tennessee
38-8, 12-7
0
vs
12
Alabama
44-4, 16-3
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 1 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 12 | 9 | 0 |
| Tennessee | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
#8 Lady Vols Falter in Senior Night Loss to #3 Alabama
April 25, 2026 | Softball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The No. 8 Lady Vols dropped Game 1 of its series against No. 3 Alabama, 12-0, on Saturday night at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium.
The Lady Vols could not get the bats going against Alabama's Jocelyn Briski, who threw five shutout innings and allowed just two hits and one walk on the day. Briski earned her 19th win of the season.
Senior Karlyn Pickens (11-6) started in the circle for the Lady Vols on Senior Night. Pickens was unable to find her rhythm as she allowed five runs – two earned – on four hits. She surrendered four walks and hit two batters in 2.2 innings of work.
Alabama (44-4, 16-3 SEC) took an early first-inning lead with a solo homer to right field by Brooke Wells.
Tennessee (38-8, 12-7 SEC) responded with a leadoff single and a stolen base by Sophia Knight to start the home half of the frame, but was unable to drive her home.
Taelyn Holley notched her ninth double of the year in the second but was left stranded.
Alabama broke the game open with four runs in the third. A series of walks, a fielding miscue and a two-RBI single by Ambrey Taylor gave way to three, while a hit by pitch to Alexis Pupillo extended the Crimson Tide's lead to 5-0.
Alabama added four more in the fourth. After loading the bases with a pair of walks and a hit by pitch, an RBI walk and a pair of singles brought the score to 9-0.
Alabama concluded the game with a three-run home run by Ana Roman in the fifth, extending the final score to 12-0.
Peyton Hardenburger was Tennessee's second pitcher of the night, throwing 0.2 innings. She allowed four runs – two earned – on two hits with two walks and a hit batter.
Erin Nuwer finished the night in the circle for the Lady Vols. She tossed 1.2 frames, surrendering three runs on three hits with three strikeouts.
Before the game, Tennessee honored its three seniors, Jackie Kirkpatrick, Karlyn Pickens and Camryn Sarvis.
DUE UP
Tennessee will look to Game 2 of the series, which will take place on Sunday at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
The Lady Vols could not get the bats going against Alabama's Jocelyn Briski, who threw five shutout innings and allowed just two hits and one walk on the day. Briski earned her 19th win of the season.
Senior Karlyn Pickens (11-6) started in the circle for the Lady Vols on Senior Night. Pickens was unable to find her rhythm as she allowed five runs – two earned – on four hits. She surrendered four walks and hit two batters in 2.2 innings of work.
Alabama (44-4, 16-3 SEC) took an early first-inning lead with a solo homer to right field by Brooke Wells.
Tennessee (38-8, 12-7 SEC) responded with a leadoff single and a stolen base by Sophia Knight to start the home half of the frame, but was unable to drive her home.
Taelyn Holley notched her ninth double of the year in the second but was left stranded.
Alabama broke the game open with four runs in the third. A series of walks, a fielding miscue and a two-RBI single by Ambrey Taylor gave way to three, while a hit by pitch to Alexis Pupillo extended the Crimson Tide's lead to 5-0.
Alabama added four more in the fourth. After loading the bases with a pair of walks and a hit by pitch, an RBI walk and a pair of singles brought the score to 9-0.
Alabama concluded the game with a three-run home run by Ana Roman in the fifth, extending the final score to 12-0.
Peyton Hardenburger was Tennessee's second pitcher of the night, throwing 0.2 innings. She allowed four runs – two earned – on two hits with two walks and a hit batter.
Erin Nuwer finished the night in the circle for the Lady Vols. She tossed 1.2 frames, surrendering three runs on three hits with three strikeouts.
Before the game, Tennessee honored its three seniors, Jackie Kirkpatrick, Karlyn Pickens and Camryn Sarvis.
DUE UP
Tennessee will look to Game 2 of the series, which will take place on Sunday at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Jocelyn Briski (19-1)
L: Pickens, Karlyn (11-6)
Batting:
2B: Jena Young 1
HR: Brooke Wells 1 ; Ana Roman 1
RBI: Alexis Pupillo 1 ; Brooke Wells 1 ; Ana Roman 3 ; Audrey Vandagriff 1 ; Ambrey Taylor 3 ; Salen Hawkins 1 ; Kristen White 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Brooke Wells 1 ; Kinley Pate 1 ; Jena Young 1 ; Marlie Giles 2 ; Gerritt Griggs 1 ; Ana Roman 3 ; Audrey Vandagriff 2 ; Ambrey Taylor 1
HBP: Alexis Pupillo 1 ; Audrey Vandagriff 1 ; Salen Hawkins 1
Batting:
2B: Holley, Taelyn 1
Base Running:
SB: Knight, Sophia 1
Game Leaders
AB
2
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
2
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
2
R
0
H
0
RBI
0
AB
2
R
0
H
0
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
P
/ SoftballOF
/ Softball
C
/ SoftballOF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
INF
/ SoftballSB | Karen Weekly Postgame vs. Alabama (4.25.26)
Saturday, April 25
Everything Orange S3 l Ella Dodge (Softball)
Friday, April 24
SB | Karen Weekly Postgame vs. Radford (4.21.26)
Tuesday, April 21
SB | Sage Mardjetko Postgame vs. Radford (4.21.26)
Tuesday, April 21
