Postseason softball play opened Friday in the 2025 NCAA Tournament Knoxville Regional at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium, hosted by Tennessee. The No. 1 seeded Lady Vols defeated No. 4 seed Miami University (35-24), 17-0, in five innings by a run-rule decision.

Right-handed pitcher Karyln Pickens (21-8) started for Tennessee against Miami. She pitched three innings and recorded six strikeouts. The 6-foot-1 junior allowed two hits, zero runs and one walk. Pickens totaled 48 pitches, including 28 strikes, against 11 batters.

Sage Mardjetko relieved Pickens to end the run-rule contest.

The Lady Vols’ offense totaled ten hits, including four home runs, against Miami. McKenna Gibson hit a solo home run in the second inning, while Gabby Leach hit a three-run home run and Laura Mealer hit a grand slam in the third inning. Sophia Nugent hit a three-run home run in the fourth inning.

The Lady Vols will face the winner between No. 2 seed Ohio State (43-12-1) and No. 3 seed North Carolina (40-15) in the Knoxville Regional. The Buckeyes and Tar Heels will play at 4 p.m. EDT on Thursday.

The Knoxville Regional is a double elimination format. The regional winner will advance to play the winner of the NCAA Tournament Baton Rouge Regional, hosted by LSU. Nebraska, UConn and Southeastern Louisiana are also in the Baton Rouge Regional.

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This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: Tennessee softball defeats Miami in NCAA Tournament Knoxville Regional