University of Tennessee Athletics
Sage Mardjetko, Karlyn Pickens Named CSC Academic All-Americans
June 16, 2026 | Softball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee softball's Sage Mardjetko and Karlyn Pickens have been named 2026 College Sports Communicators Academic All-Americans, the organization announced Tuesday. Mardjetko earned third-team honors, while Pickens garnered second-team recognition.
It marks the first career Academic All-America honor for Mardjetko and the second for Pickens. Their selections extend a milestone streak for the Lady Vols. Tennessee has now produced multiple CSC Academic All-Americans in five consecutive seasons.
Mardjetko had a dominant season in the circle, posting a career-best 1.26 ERA with a 16-3 record. In 31 appearances, the junior has recorded a career-high 171 strikeouts across 127.2 innings pitched. During SEC play, she owned a conference-best 1.07 ERA with a 6-1 mark and 64 strikeouts in 59 innings. The Lemont, Illinois, native also tossed the first no-hitter of her collegiate career on Feb. 22 against Southern Illinois.
Pickens capped a remarkable senior campaign as one of the nation's premier pitchers. The right-hander finished the 2026 season with a 1.70 ERA and 194 strikeouts over 34 appearances, including 84 strikeouts against SEC opponents. She ranked fifth in the conference in ERA and fourth in strikeouts while also finishing fourth nationally in hits allowed per seven innings at 3.78.
2026 CSC Academic Honors
Sage Mardjetko – All-District + All-American
Karlyn Pickens – All-District + All-American
Alannah Leach – All-District
Gabby Leach – All-District
Ella Dodge – All-District
It marks the first career Academic All-America honor for Mardjetko and the second for Pickens. Their selections extend a milestone streak for the Lady Vols. Tennessee has now produced multiple CSC Academic All-Americans in five consecutive seasons.
Mardjetko had a dominant season in the circle, posting a career-best 1.26 ERA with a 16-3 record. In 31 appearances, the junior has recorded a career-high 171 strikeouts across 127.2 innings pitched. During SEC play, she owned a conference-best 1.07 ERA with a 6-1 mark and 64 strikeouts in 59 innings. The Lemont, Illinois, native also tossed the first no-hitter of her collegiate career on Feb. 22 against Southern Illinois.
Pickens capped a remarkable senior campaign as one of the nation's premier pitchers. The right-hander finished the 2026 season with a 1.70 ERA and 194 strikeouts over 34 appearances, including 84 strikeouts against SEC opponents. She ranked fifth in the conference in ERA and fourth in strikeouts while also finishing fourth nationally in hits allowed per seven innings at 3.78.
2026 CSC Academic Honors
Sage Mardjetko – All-District + All-American
Karlyn Pickens – All-District + All-American
Alannah Leach – All-District
Gabby Leach – All-District
Ella Dodge – All-District
Players Mentioned
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