Tennessee ace Karlyn Pickens handles a lot of pressure, but her parents help keep her grounded through record-breaking pitches and a second WCWS run.

Tennessee softball pitcher Karlyn Pickens' mother, Rebecca, brought a Smokey stuffed animal to the Women's College World Series as a good luck charm.

A big reason for the Vols' regular-season success was star junior pitcher Karlyn Pickens, who Tennessee will need to beat the Sooners on Thursday at 2:30 p.m. ET at Devon Park in Oklahoma City.

Tennessee softball made a second run to WCWS semifinal in last three years, proving it's closing the gap with perennial contenders Oklahoma and Texas.

Tennessee softball ran out of gas and lost 2-0 to No. 6 seed Texas on June 2, ending its season in the Women's College World Series semifinals.

A big reason for the Vols' regular-season success was star junior pitcher Karlyn Pickens, who Tennessee will need to beat the Sooners on Thursday at 2:30 p.m. ET at Devon Park in Oklahoma City ...

Tennessee softball ace Karlyn Pickens threw nine innings in walk-off win over UCLA. Can she pitch again against Texas in WCWS semifinals?

Tennessee softball pitcher Karlyn Pickens' mother, Rebecca, brought a Smokey stuffed animal to the Women's College World Series as a good luck charm.

Tennessee softball pitcher Karlyn Pickens' mother, Rebecca, brought a Smokey stuffed animal to the Women's College World Series as a good luck charm.

Tennessee softball pitcher Karlyn Pickens' mother, Rebecca, brought a Smokey stuffed animal to the Women's College World Series as a good luck charm.

Tennessee softball pitcher Karlyn Pickens' mother, Rebecca, brought a Smokey stuffed animal to the Women's College World Series as a good luck charm.

Tennessee softball pitcher Karlyn Pickens' mother, Rebecca, brought a Smokey stuffed animal to the Women's College World Series as a good luck charm.