There are a lot of exceptional fastpitch softball teams in the NCAA this year, but through the first month of the season, one has eclipsed the rest and taken over the #1 ranking with near unanimous approval. And it’s not Texas, not Texas Tech, not Oklahoma, and not UCLA. It’s Tennessee.
Through 19 games Tennessee is a perfect 19-0. And I know what you’re thinking—most college programs start with a soft schedule to get ready for conference play. But Tennessee ain’t playing cream puffs. 6 of their 19 wins have been against ranked opponents. Nearly a third of their victories have been against top tier pitching and top tier offenses
So how are they getting it done? Obviously it’s pitching, and Tennessee has a 3 headed monster pitching staff with senior Karlyn Pickens, Sophomore Erin Nuwer, and Junior Sage Mardjetko. These three each have a sub 1.0 ERA, and are overwhelming their opposition with strikeouts. They have collectively thrown 159 strike outs in 108 innings—good for a 1.48 strike out per inning ratio. And they are holding batters to a combined 0.094 batting average.
And you want offense? They have that too. The lineup is led by redshirt sophomore Ella Dodge, who in 19 games has 6 home runs, 29 RBI, and a .370 batting average. Junior Sophia Knight also deserves mention with a .550 batting average, 33 hits, 25 runs and 11 stolen bases so far this season. And just in case you forgot, this is in only 19 games against a lot of top tier pitching.
Tennessee has been a WCWS runner up twice, but has never taken home national championship hardware. But if Tennessee can keep up even a fraction of this level of dominance going into the playoffs they are going to be the favorite to win it all this year.
