Tennessee ace Karlyn Pickens returned to the circle after missing a couple weeks while resting a strained arm and helped deliver a series victory for No. 1 Tennessee as she tossed a one-hit complete game against No. 12 Mississippi State in a 4-1 win at Nusz Park.
Tennessee (27-1, 5-1 SEC) earned its ninth straight SEC series victory on the road and took its 23rd series win in its last 26 tries.
The story of the day was Pickens returning to the circle after an 11-day layoff with arm strain. The senior picked up right where she left off, striking out the first batter she faced en route to a six-strikeout performance.
The Weaverville, North Carolina, native allowed one run on one hit with four walks as she earned her seventh win of the season. She also notched her 700th career strikeout in the game's second inning.
Emma Clarke homered and Ella Dodge drove in two with a key single to lead the Tennessee offense.
Leila Ammon started for MSU in the circle, tossing three innings and giving up one run on one hit with two walks and four strikeouts. Peja Goold took over in relief and threw three innings. She allowed three runs on two hits with two walks and four strikeouts. Goold suffered the loss and is 11-2 on the year.
Alyssa Faircloth threw one frame and gave up one hit with one walk and two strikeouts.
DUE UP
Tennessee will return to Knoxville for a few days before heading back out on the road for a three-game series against the Florida Gators in Gainesville, March 20-22.