Behind a dominant pitching performance from junior
Karlyn Pickens and a first-inning solo home run from
Ella Dodge, No. 7 Tennessee clinched its ninth trip to the Women's College World Series with a 1-0 shutout of Nebraska on Sunday at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium.
Pickens was electric in the circle, tossing her second consecutive complete game to lead the Lady Vols (45-15) past the Cornhuskers (43-15) and into Oklahoma City for the second time in three seasons.
The right-hander allowed just two hits and one walk while striking out 10 in the Super Regional finale. Over back-to-back elimination games, Pickens racked up 21 strikeouts with only two walks, earning both wins.
On Sunday, Pickens worked six 1-2-3 innings as she kept Nebraska off balance all game long.
Dodge provided all the offense Tennessee needed in the bottom of the first, launching her second home run in as many days — a solo shot to center that ricocheted off the railing for her seventh homer of the season.
The Lady Vols' defense matched Pickens' dominance, making several highlight-reel plays to preserve the shutout. Dodge flashed the leather early with a diving stop in the first inning, while
Kinsey Fiedler made a sliding grab in center in the third to help retire the side in order.
Nebraska's best chance came in the fifth, when the Huskers loaded the bases with two outs. Pickens responded with a three-pitch strikeout to escape the jam and preserve Tennessee's lead.
The Tennessee Athletics Ticket Office will not have tickets for sale to the Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City. Please visit NCAA.com/tickets for ticket information.
Tennessee will face second-seeded Oklahoma on Thursday. Game time is to be announced.