Karlyn Pickens records five strikeouts in Lady Vols' win at Florida

[ASFN Admin]

No. 1 Tennessee (28-1, 6-1 SEC) opened a three-game softball series at No. 5 Florida (29-2, 6-1 SEC) on Friday. The Lady Vols won Game 1, 2-1, at Katie Seashole Pressly Softball Stadium in Gainesville, Florida.

Sage Mardjetko (7-0) started for Tennessee and pitched four innings. She recorded seven strikeouts and 57 pitches, including 41 strikes, against 16 batters.

Karlyn Pickens pitched three innings in relief and recorded five strikeouts against 14 batters. She totaled 64 pitches (36 strikes) and earned her second save of the season.

Tennessee's offense produced four hits against the Gators, including one double each from Sophia Knight and Ella Dodge.

The Lady Vols are ranked No. 1 for a fifth consecutive week in the NFCA/GoRout Division I Top 25 Coaches Poll. It is the longest Tennessee has occupied a No. 1 ranking in the NFCA Coaches Poll since 2007.

Saturday's Game 2 between the Lady Vols and Gators will take place at 1 p.m. EDT.

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This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: Tennessee softball wins series opener at Florida

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