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Karlyn Pickens Named Top 10 Finalist for USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year for Second Straight Season
OKLAHOMA CITY – Tennessee junior Karlyn Pickens has been named a top 10 finalist for the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award for the second consecutive season, the organization announced Wednesday. A two-time SEC Pitcher of the Year, Pickens ranks third nationally with a 0.92 ERA and holds a 20-8 record. The right-hander has recorded a career-high…

Backus Named to SEC Baseball Community Service Team
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Tennessee outfielder Colby Backus was named to the 2025 SEC Baseball Community Service Team on Wednesday. Backus displayed tremendous dedication to his community this past fall in response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene in northeast Tennessee. The redshirt senior from Johnson City joined several teammates and returned home to deliver donations of food,…

Tennessee, Syracuse Aflac Kickoff Game Set For Noon ET On ABC
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee and Syracuse will begin the 2025 college football season in the Aflac Kickoff Game on Aug. 30 from Atlanta’s Marcedes-Benz Stadium at noon ET on ABC, the network announced Tuesday. The 2025 Aflac Kickoff Game between the Orange and Volunteers is one of only three opening weekend matchups between two teams who…

Ensley Shines on Senior Night as #12/17 Vols Defeat Bruins, 9-4
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 12/17 Tennessee started the final week of the regular season with a solid 9-4 victory over in-state foe Belmont on Senior Night at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. The Volunteers had to once again battle the elements, weathering a 58-minute rain and lightning delay in the bottom of the second inning, before securing their…

SportsFest 2025 – Saturday, June 28th- Vendor and Sponsor Interest Form
99.1 The Sports Animal is proud to present the 4th Annual Sports Animal SportsFest on Saturday, June 28th at Knoxville Expo Center!

TNSHOF Honors Rick Barnes with Pat Summitt Lifetime Achievement Award, Baseball Named Male Amateur Team of the Year
The Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame announced Monday afternoon that Tennessee men’s basketball head coach Rick Barnes has been recognized as the winner of the prestigious Pat Summitt Lifetime Achievement Award, in response to his remarkable impact on UT’s culture, character and development. The Tennessee baseball program earned the title of Male Amateur Team of the Year,…

Lady Vols Earn No. 7 National Seed, Host Regionals for 20th Consecutive Season
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee softball was announced as the No. 7 national seed in the 2025 NCAA Softball Tournament Sunday night when the bracket was revealed on ESPN2. The Lady Vols will play host to the NCAA Knoxville Regional for the 20th consecutive season. UT is set to welcome Ohio State, North Carolina and Miami (OH)…

Late Comeback Bid Falls Short in Loss to #10/11 Vanderbilt
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 8/15 Tennessee battled back on numerous occasions but was unable to complete its comeback bid in Sunday’s 7-5 loss to No. 10/11 Vanderbilt at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. The Vols (39-13, 15-12 SEC) evened the score three separate times after falling behind and nearly did it for a fourth time, but left the…

#8/15 Vols to Play Sunday Rubber Game After Dropping Game Two to #10/11 Vandy
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 8/15 Tennessee dropped game two of its weekend series against No. 10/11 Vanderbilt, 10-6, on Saturday night in front of a sold-out crowd of 6,329 at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. The Big Orange hit three home runs and finished with 10 hits, but dug themselves a hole they couldn’t climb out of in…

Doyle & Ensley Lead the Way as #8/15 Vols Take Opener vs. #10/11 Commodores
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Liam Doyle and Hunter Ensley stole the show in No. 8/15 Tennessee’s 3-2 win over No. 10/11 Vanderbilt in Friday night’s series opener at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. Doyle added another notch to his incredible list of performances with 12 strikeouts over seven shutout innings to earn his ninth win of the year. The junior lefthander allowed…

Pickens Repeats as SEC Pitcher of the Year; Pannell Named First Team All-SEC
ATHENS, Ga. – The Southeastern Conference announced its 2025 postseason softball awards Friday, with Tennessee junior Karlyn Pickens earning SEC Pitcher of the Year honors for the second consecutive season. Pickens and teammate Taylor Pannell were both named to the All-SEC First Team. Pickens dominated from the circle throughout the season, becoming just the seventh pitcher in league history to win…
![#5 [4] Lady Vols Fall to #7 [5] Razorbacks in SEC Quarterfinals #5 [4] Lady Vols Fall to #7 [5] Razorbacks in SEC Quarterfinals](https://cdn.socast.io/6616/sites/602/2025/05/09054722/Lady-Vol-Softball-74.jpeg)
#5 [4] Lady Vols Fall to #7 [5] Razorbacks in SEC Quarterfinals
ATHENS, Ga. – No. 5 Tennessee dropped a 6-1 decision to No. 7 Arkansas on Thursday in the SEC Softball Tournament quarterfinals at Jack Turner Stadium. The Lady Vols (40-14) managed six hits in the game, led by senior Laura Mealer’s perfect 3-for-3 performance. Saviya Morgan, Taylor Pannell and Ella Dodge accounted for Tennessee’s other hits. Arkansas (40-11) broke a scoreless tie in the fourth…

#8/15 Vols Homer Five Times in Midweek Win Over Sycamores
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 8/15 Tennessee got back into the win column Tuesday night at Lindsey Nelson Stadium, run-ruling Indiana State, 12-1 in seven innings. The Volunteers (38-11) got ahead early, beginning their night at the plate with three consecutive singles by the top of the order, while posting four hits and two runs in the first…

#5/12 Vols Split Sunday Games Against #5/10 Auburn
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 5/12 Tennessee started its Sunday afternoon on a high note with a walk-off win in extra innings over No. 5/10 Auburn, but dropped the series finale, 8-1, to cap the day at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. Game 2 Recap: UT 5, Auburn 4 (11 Inn.) The Vols evened up the series against the Tigers…

#5 Tennessee Drops Series Finale to #2 Texas A&M
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 5 Tennessee fell 13–2 to No. 2 Texas A&M in Saturday’s regular-season finale at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium, dropping the final SEC series of the year. The game resumed Saturday morning in the bottom of the second inning after being suspended Friday night due to inclement weather in the Knoxville area. Texas A&M (43–9,…

#5/12 Vols Drop Rain-Soaked Series Opener to #5/10 Auburn
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 5/12 Tennessee dropped a rain-soaked series opener, 6-1, to No. 5/10 Auburn in a game that began on Friday night but was played mostly on Saturday afternoon after play was suspended in the middle of the first inning. Ike Irish hit a two-run homer in the top of the first inning on…

#5 Lady Vols Win Game 1 of Doubleheader, Game 2 Suspended
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 5 Tennessee took Game 1 of Friday’s scheduled doubleheader against No. 2 Texas A&M 5-1 before Game 2 was suspended due to weather in the bottom of the second inning. The final game of the series will resume on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. ET. Senior Sophia Nugent headlined game one with a standout performance on…

#5 Lady Vols Fall 1-0 to #2 Texas A&M
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – In a tightly contested showdown between top-five teams, No. 5 Tennessee fell 1-0 to No. 2 Texas A&M on Thursday night at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium. The game lived up to its billing as a pitcher’s duel, with Tennessee’s Karlyn Pickens and Texas A&M’s Emiley Kennedy each recording 10 strikeouts. Offense was hard to come by on…

Vols Ink French Guard Clarence Massamba
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – University of Tennessee head men’s basketball coach Rick Barnes announced Wednesday the signing of Clarence Massamba. A guard from Paris, Massamba is currently part of the prestigious AS Monaco Basket organization. He is the fifth member of Tennessee’s 2025 high school class, including the first from overseas. “We are happy to welcome Clarence and his…

Sharman & Lawless Shine as #5/12 Vols Open Homestand with Win Over Norse
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 5/12 Tennessee opened its two-week homestand with a hard-fought 7-5 win over Northern Kentucky on Tuesday night at Lindsey Nelson Stadium in what was a rematch of last year’s opening game of the NCAA Knoxville Regional. The Volunteers (36-9) wasted no time jumping out to an early lead, plating a pair of…

Vols Welcome Transfer Guard Amaree Abram
NOXVILLE, Tenn. – University of Tennessee head men’s basketball coach Rick Barnes announced Tuesday the signing of Amaree Abram. A guard who earned All-CUSA Honorable Mention status this past season, Abram comes to Rocky Top from Louisiana Tech. He has one season of collegiate eligibility left. “Our entire coaching staff is excited to welcome Amaree and his family…

Football Season Tickets Sold Out For Third Straight Year With 70,500 Purchased
Football April 29, 2025 KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – For the third consecutive season, Tennessee Athletics has exhausted its football season ticket inventory in Neyland Stadium prior to the summer with all 70,500 purchased. The approaching 129th campaign of Tennessee football produced a departmental record 97.8 percent season ticket renewal rate. In addition, interest in the Vols continues…

#4/6 Vols Drop Series Finale at #3/7 LSU
BATON ROUGE, La. – No. 4/6 Tennessee fell to No. 3/7 LSU, 12-2, in Sunday afternoon’s series finale at Alex Box Stadium. The Volunteers (35-9, 13-8 SEC) looked poised for a big day at the plate after plating two runs on four hits in the top of the first inning, but Tigers’ starter Casan Evans rebounded…

#1/4 Tennessee Clinches Series Win Over #16 Ole Miss
OXFORD, Miss. – No. 1/4 Tennessee secured its sixth SEC series victory of the season with a 7-1 win over No. 16 Ole Miss on Sunday at Ole Miss Softball Stadium. The Lady Vols (39-11, 14-7 SEC) have now claimed 22 of their last 24 conference series, a dominant stretch that dates to the end of the…

#4/6 Vols Rebound with 9-3 Win to Even Series in Baton Rouge
BATON ROUGE, La. – An impressive pitching performance by Marcus Phillips and an explosive eighth inning at the plate led No. 4/6 Tennessee to a 9-3 win over No. 3/7 LSU in front of a record-breaking crowd at Alex Box Stadium on Saturday night. After the Tigers (35-9, 13-7 SEC) cut a three-run deficit to one with back-to-back…

#1/4 Lady Vols Blank #16 Ole Miss, 6-0, to Even Series
OXFORD, Miss. – No. 1/4 Tennessee bounced back in dominant fashion Saturday afternoon, shutting out No. 16 Ole Miss, 6-0, at Ole Miss Softball Stadium to even the series. The Lady Vols (38-11, 13-7 SEC) broke a scoreless tie in the fourth inning, capitalizing on a bunt single and a Rebel error. Taylor Pannell led off the frame with…

Thornton Jr., Sampson Drafted In Fourth Round; Four Total Vols Selected
GREEN BAY, Wis. – Two standout playmakers from the 2024 Tennessee offense were selected in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft Saturday, giving the Volunteers a three-day total of four. Wide receiver Dont’e Thornton Jr. was chosen No. 108 overall to the Las Vegas Raiders, while running back Dylan Sampson went No. 126 overall to the Cleveland Browns.…

Omarr Norman-Lott Chosen In Second Round of 2025 NFL Draft
GREEN BAY, Wis. – Another member of Tennessee’s stellar defensive line is off the board in the 2025 NFL Draft as Omarr Norman-Lott was selected with the No. 63 overall pick in the second round by the AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs Friday night. Tennessee was one of five programs nationally in this draft with multiple defensive linemen…

#4/6 Vols Lose Late Lead in Series-Opening Loss at #3/7 LSU
BATON ROUGE, La. – No. 4/6 Tennessee was unable to hang on to a ninth inning lead in Friday’s series opener at No. 3/7 LSU, falling 6-3 at Alex Box Stadium. It was a nightmare of a ninth inning for the Volunteers (34-8, 12-7 SEC), who committed two errors before surrendering a walk and three hits,…

Rally Falls Short as No. 1/4 Lady Vols Drop 3-2 Decision to No. 16 Ole Miss
OXFORD, Miss. – A late rally came up just short for No. 1/4 Tennessee on Friday night, as the Lady Vols fell 3-2 to No. 16 Ole Miss at the Ole Miss Softball Complex. The Rebels (34-12, 10-9 SEC) capitalized early with a three-run second inning. After a hit-by-pitch and a walk put two runners aboard, an…

James Pearce Jr. Selected In First Round of 2025 NFL Draft
GREEN BAY, Wis. – Two-time first-team All-SEC edge rusher James Pearce Jr. became the latest Tennessee Vol to add his name to the program’s legacy of first round draft choices. Pearce Jr. was selected with the No. 26 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons, who traded up to take him Thursday night. With…

Lady Vols Ink Former No. 7 Prospect Wolfenbarger
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee women’s basketball head coach Kim Caldwell announced that she has received an Institutional Financial Aid Agreement (IFAA) from transfer forward Jersey Wolfenbarger, the No. 7 ranked prospect by espnW in the 2021 high school class and a contributor in every game last season for LSU. She joins forward Janiah Barker of UCLA and guard…

Snead Named Stopper of the Year Midseason Watch List
DALLAS – Tennessee’s Nate Snead was tabbed as one of the nation’s top relief pitchers Wednesday afternoon, earning a spot on the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Midseason Watch List. Snead was one of 56 players named to the midseason watch list for the award, which is presented annually to the top reliever in college baseball. The Wisconsin…

Zeigler Named TSWA Player of the Year
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – University of Tennessee star Zakai Zeigler is the Tennessee Sportswriters Association (TSWA) Men’s Basketball Player of the Year, as announced Wednesday morning. Zeigler garnered 12 of the 20 votes, with players from Tennessee schools across all levels of college basketball considered. This is the third time in the last seven years a won Volunteer the…

#4/6 Vols Blast Four Homers in Win Over Lipscomb
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 4/6 Tennessee got off to a fast start and never looked back in an 11-1 run-rule win over Lipscomb on Tuesday night at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. Five different Vols had multi-hit performances as the team finished with 14 total hits on the night while the pitching staff held the Bisons to a…

#1/4 Tennessee Falls 4-3 in Extra Innings to #19 Clemson
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 1/4 Tennessee fell to No. 19 Clemson 4-3 in a nine-inning battle Tuesday night at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium. Tennessee (38-9) broke through with the game’s opening in the bottom of the third. Ella Dodge singled up the middle to spark the offense, and Emma Clarke reached on an error, allowing Dodge to move into scoring position. Taylor…

Three Vols Named To 2025 NFF Hampshire Honor Society
IRVING, Texas – The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) announced that three Tennessee Volunteers were tabbed as members of the 2025 NFF Hampshire Honor Society. Will Brooks, Keenan Pili and Javontez Spraggins represented UT on the list of a record 2,532 players from 339 colleges and universities who qualified for membership in 2025. Nominated by their respective schools,…

2025 Prospect Nate Ament, the Third Top-Five Signee in Program History
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – University of Tennessee head men’s basketball coach Rick Barnes announced Monday the signing of Nate Ament. A five-star small forward out of Manassas, Va., Ament is ranked in the top four of the 2025 class by all major outlets. He is the third top-five prep recruit ever to sign with Tennessee, joining Tobias Harris (2010)…

#2/4 Vols Fall to Kentucky, 8-2, in Series Finale
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 2/4 Tennessee struggled at the plate for the second straight day and was unable to salvage a series win on Sunday, falling 8-2 to Kentucky in the finale at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. The Vols managed just six hits and two runs, with the side being retired three times following leadoff hits, stalling any…

#2/4 Vols Struggle Offensively in 4-1 Loss to Wildcats
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 2/4 Tennessee could not find its rhythm at the plate Saturday night, falling 4-1 to Kentucky in game two of its weekend series at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. The Vols managed just three hits and struck out 15 times as the Wildcats evened the series. UT also committed two errors and allowed 10 stolen…

#4 Lady Vols Complete Sweep of Auburn With 4-1 Win
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The fourth-ranked Lady Vols secured their first SEC series sweep of the season Saturday, defeating Auburn 4-1 at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium. With the win, the Lady Vols (37-9, 12-6 SEC) have now claimed 21 of their last 23 SEC series, posting a 53-16 record with nine sweeps during that stretch. The current…

Doyle Shines Again While Peebles Homers Twice in Series-Opening Win Over Kentucky
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 2/4 Tennessee opened its weekend series against border rival Kentucky with a convincing 8-2 victory on Friday night at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. The Volunteers (33-5, 12-4 SEC) put together a complete performance in all three phases to win their third straight game against the Wildcats (20-15, 6-10 SEC) dating back to last…

#4 Tennessee Clinches Series with 6-4 Win Over Auburn
Knoxville, Tenn. — No. 4 Tennessee secured its fifth SEC series victory of the season with a 6-4 win over Auburn on Friday night at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium. A five-run second inning powered the Lady Vols (36-9, 11-6 SEC) to their second straight win over the Tigers. Saviya Morgan jump-started the rally with an RBI triple before McKenna Gibson brought…

Pannell’s Walk-Off Homer Lifts No. 4 Tennessee Past Auburn, 4-2
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – With the game tied in the bottom of the seventh, Taylor Pannell crushed a two-run walk-off home run to center field, lifting No. 4 Tennessee to a 4-2 victory over Auburn on Thursday night at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium. The Lady Vols (35-9, 10-6 SEC) rallied late to take the series opener, scoring all four…

Vols Sign Prep Guard Troy Henderson
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – University of Tennessee head men’s basketball coach Rick Barnes announced Wednesday the signing of Troy Henderson. A guard from Chester, Va., Henderson is a four-time Virginia High School League (VHSL) all-state designee, including a two-time player of the year, and a three-time state champion. “Our staff is excited for Troy and his family to join…

#2/4 Vols Topple Knights in 13-3 Midweek Win
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 2/4 Tennessee found the win column for the 32nd times this season with a 13-3 run-rule victory over Bellarmine on Tuesday night at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. The Knights (9-27) got on the board early with a leadoff home run, but UT (32-5) quickly answered back and took control of the game. Reese Chapman sparked a six-run…

More Honors Roll in for Karlyn Pickens
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee junior Karlyn Pickens continues to dominate the national spotlight, earning her third consecutive National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Pitcher of the Week award. She was also named SEC Pitcher of the Week for the third week in a row. With her latest NFCA honor, Pickens makes history as the first student-athlete to win either NFCA…

#1/1 Vols Drop Both Games of Saturday Doubleheader to Aggies
Read Online | PDF Box Score (G1) | PDF Box Score (G2) | PDF Series Stats | Download Postgame Media | Photo Gallery KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 1/1 Tennessee dropped both games of a doubleheader against Texas A&M on Saturday at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. It was a day to forget for the Volunteers (28-4, 9-3 SEC), as the Aggies (16-15, 3-9 SEC) launched an offensive barrage,…

Nugent’s Career Night Leads #7 Lady Vols to Run-Rule Win
COLUMBIA, Tenn. – Sophia Nugent homered twice and drove in a career-high six RBIs to lead No. 7 Tennessee to an 8-0 run-rule victory over Eastern Kentucky Tuesday night at Ridley Sports Complex in Columbia, Tennessee. The win improves Tennessee to 26-4 on the season as they took on EKU in the annual Midstate Classic. More than 3,500…
Lanier, Zeigler Tabbed to Wooden Award Top 15 National Ballot
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Two members of the University of Tennessee men’s basketball team, Chaz Lanier and Zakai Zeigler, made the cut for the John R. Wooden Award Top 15 National Ballot. The Volunteers are the only team with two selections, as named by the Los Angeles Athletic Club. They are joined by three other SEC competitors—Auburn’s Johni Broome, Florida’s…