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Tennessee softball enters a key offseason after its second straight appearance in the Women's College World Series semifinals.
The Lady Vols fell one win short of their first trip to the WCWS championship series since 2013, ending the season 49-12. They're knocking on the door five seasons into Karen Weekly's tenure as head coach, making three appearances in the WCWS semifinals in the last four years.
Here's what you need to know about Tennessee's roster movement this offseason.
Tennessee only lost three seniors to graduation, although that included star pitcher Karlyn Pickens. But the Lady Vols have only lost one other starter to the transfer portal as of June 17, and second baseman Ella Dodge's departure was likely due to an incoming transfer at her position.
But Tennessee's entire starting lineup outside of Pickens has eligibility remaining. The Lady Vols will have six returning seniors next year, five juniors, five sophomores and five incoming freshmen, barring any more transfer portal entries.
Sophomore outfielder Saviya Morgan and freshman pitcher Kailey Plumlee also entered the transfer portal, likely as a result of playing time. Morgan only started 10 games after starting 59 as a freshman and there's an incoming freshman left-handed pitcher like Plumlee, who didn't pitch any innings this season.
Tennessee's incoming freshman class includes the top three ranked players in the state, including Avary Stockwell, who's ranked No. 17 in the 2026 class. The Green Hill High product can play catcher and corner infield.
Bailee Shelton, the state's Gatorade Player of the Year from McNairy Central, is a pitcher and utility player ranked No. 2 in Tennessee and No. 25 in the class who can play corner infield and outfield. Alcoa's Halle Bailey is ranked No. 3 in the state and No. 27 in the class and has played middle infield most of her career.
Maggie Krause, a left-handed pitcher out of Brazil, Indiana, and Amani Mcfield, a utility player out of Etiwanda High School in California, round out the five-player class ranked No. 5 by D1 Softball and No. 6 by On3.
One thing Tennessee does not need in the portal is more pitchers, which is a rare situation to be in.
The Lady Vols will have six pitchers on the roster even after losing Pickens and Plumlee. Sage Mardjetko will lead the staff as a senior, Erin Nuwer will likely be the next option and the third spot in the rotation will be up for grabs.
Tennessee doesn't have any glaring needs in the portal with how well it has retained players the last few years. It already secured a commitment from former South Carolina second baseman Karley Shelton, who will be a senior. Shelton will be a boost to the offense after hitting .345 with 40 RBIs, 16 doubles, 33 runs scored and seven home runs in 2026.
With the amount of talent coming in and young talent already on the team, no starting spot is guaranteed in 2027. Infielder Amayah Doyle was also sidelined this season with an injury after starting in 18 games as a freshman in 2025, so there's a chance she earns her way into the lineup again.
The catching rotation between Morrison and Stockwell will also be something to watch. Morrison played at shortstop in high school, too, so the infield may shift around depending on who's catching.
Cora Hall is the University of Tennessee women’s athletics reporter for Knox News. Email: [email protected]; X: @corahalll; Bluesky: @corahall.bsky.social. Support strong local journalism and unlock premium perks:knoxnews.com/subscribe
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee softball roster, transfer portal needs, starting lineup in 2027
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The Lady Vols fell one win short of their first trip to the WCWS championship series since 2013, ending the season 49-12. They're knocking on the door five seasons into Karen Weekly's tenure as head coach, making three appearances in the WCWS semifinals in the last four years.
Here's what you need to know about Tennessee's roster movement this offseason.
Who will Tennessee softball return from WCWS team?
Tennessee only lost three seniors to graduation, although that included star pitcher Karlyn Pickens. But the Lady Vols have only lost one other starter to the transfer portal as of June 17, and second baseman Ella Dodge's departure was likely due to an incoming transfer at her position.
But Tennessee's entire starting lineup outside of Pickens has eligibility remaining. The Lady Vols will have six returning seniors next year, five juniors, five sophomores and five incoming freshmen, barring any more transfer portal entries.
Sophomore outfielder Saviya Morgan and freshman pitcher Kailey Plumlee also entered the transfer portal, likely as a result of playing time. Morgan only started 10 games after starting 59 as a freshman and there's an incoming freshman left-handed pitcher like Plumlee, who didn't pitch any innings this season.
Who is in Tennessee's freshman class?
Tennessee's incoming freshman class includes the top three ranked players in the state, including Avary Stockwell, who's ranked No. 17 in the 2026 class. The Green Hill High product can play catcher and corner infield.
Bailee Shelton, the state's Gatorade Player of the Year from McNairy Central, is a pitcher and utility player ranked No. 2 in Tennessee and No. 25 in the class who can play corner infield and outfield. Alcoa's Halle Bailey is ranked No. 3 in the state and No. 27 in the class and has played middle infield most of her career.
Maggie Krause, a left-handed pitcher out of Brazil, Indiana, and Amani Mcfield, a utility player out of Etiwanda High School in California, round out the five-player class ranked No. 5 by D1 Softball and No. 6 by On3.
What does Tennessee softball need in transfer portal?
One thing Tennessee does not need in the portal is more pitchers, which is a rare situation to be in.
The Lady Vols will have six pitchers on the roster even after losing Pickens and Plumlee. Sage Mardjetko will lead the staff as a senior, Erin Nuwer will likely be the next option and the third spot in the rotation will be up for grabs.
Tennessee doesn't have any glaring needs in the portal with how well it has retained players the last few years. It already secured a commitment from former South Carolina second baseman Karley Shelton, who will be a senior. Shelton will be a boost to the offense after hitting .345 with 40 RBIs, 16 doubles, 33 runs scored and seven home runs in 2026.
Projected 2027 starting lineup for Tennessee softball
With the amount of talent coming in and young talent already on the team, no starting spot is guaranteed in 2027. Infielder Amayah Doyle was also sidelined this season with an injury after starting in 18 games as a freshman in 2025, so there's a chance she earns her way into the lineup again.
The catching rotation between Morrison and Stockwell will also be something to watch. Morrison played at shortstop in high school, too, so the infield may shift around depending on who's catching.
- P Sage Mardjetko
- P Erin Nuwer
- P Peyton Hardenburger
- P Maggie Krause
- C Elsa Morrison
- 1B Makenzie Butt
- 2B Karley Shelton
- SS Emma Clarke
- 3B Avary Stockwell
- CF Sophia Knight
- LF Alannah Leach
- RF Gabby Leach
- DP Taelyn Holley
Cora Hall is the University of Tennessee women’s athletics reporter for Knox News. Email: [email protected]; X: @corahalll; Bluesky: @corahall.bsky.social. Support strong local journalism and unlock premium perks:knoxnews.com/subscribe
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee softball roster, transfer portal needs, starting lineup in 2027
Continue reading...
