Knoxville Super Regional: Schedule & Updates
The 2025 NCAA Softball Knoxville Super Regional features a compelling matchup between No. 7 seed Tennessee and Nebraska, with a Women’s College World Series berth on the line.
Tennessee (43–14) advanced by sweeping the Knoxville Regional, highlighted by a decisive 5–0 victory over Ohio State. Karlyn Pickens leads the way with a 22-8 record and a 0.90 ERA. Taylor Pannell is the offensive leader with a .399 batting average, 15 home runs and 62 RBIs.
Nebraska (42–13) reached its first Super Regional since 2014 after dominating the Baton Rouge Regional with three run-rule victories. Two-way standout Jordy Bahl has been instrumental, posting a 25–6 record with a 1.50 ERA and contributing 23 home runs and 66 RBIs at the plate. Bahl made history this season as the first Big Ten player to earn both Player and Pitcher of the Year honors.
The best-of-three series begins Friday, May 23, at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2, with Game 2 scheduled for Saturday at 5 p.m. ET. If necessary, Game 3 will be played on Sunday, with the time and broadcast details to be announced.
All games will take place at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee. The winner will advance to the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City, starting May 29.
Game 1: Nebraska 5, Tennessee 2
The Nebraska Cornhuskers jumped on the board early and knocked Tennessee starter Karlyn Pickens out of the game after just 3.2 innings.
Pickens allowed five runs, three earned, on four hits and two walks.
Hannah Camenzind homered for the Huskers and Jordy Bahl scored twice. Samantha Bland and Olivia DiNardo also drove in runs for the Huskers.
Bahl held the Lady Vols to two earned runs on seven hits and six strikeouts in a complete-game effort.
Set the tone for the Supers.
— Nebraska Softball (@HuskerSoftball) May 24, 2025
HUSKERS WIN ‼️ pic.twitter.com/BuEOvBOBtg
Game 2: Tennessee 3, Nebraska 2
A two-run home run from freshman Ella Dodge in the first inning and a sacrifice fly from McKenna Gibson in the third gave Tennessee its first win over Nebraska since 2017.
Karlyn Pickens went the distance for the Lady Vols and struck out 11 Nebraska Huskers to force a Game 3 on Sunday.
Nebraska tied the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the first thanks to two-run single from Hannah Camenzind and threatened in the seventh but Pickens stranded two Husker baserunners to end the game.
WE WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW.
— Tennessee Softball (@Vol_Softball) May 24, 2025
LADY VOLS WIN!!!! pic.twitter.com/GBaWAW7CKy
Game 3 (if necessary): Tennessee 1, Nebraska 0
Freshman Ella Dodge homered again off Nebraska starter Jordy Bahl and proved to be the difference maker for the Lady Vols.
Dodge's blast to centerfield in the first inning was the game's only run.
Karlyn Pickens and Bahl were masterful in the circle once again but it was Pickens who came away with the win, sending the Lady Vols to the Women's College World Series.
BACK TO OKC! pic.twitter.com/IChUJxeTVJ
— Tennessee Softball (@Vol_Softball) May 25, 2025
Katie Burkhart is a former professional softball pitcher and Arizona State University alumna, where she was a three-time All-American and led the Sun Devils to a national championship. She played professionally in the U.S., Japan, and Italy, and has coached at the Division I level. She now provides private pitching instruction and mindset training for athletes of all levels. Katie is also the author of Mental Muscle and Beyond the Game, books focused on athletic performance and life after sports.