ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The Carolina Blaze selected Tennessee right-hander Karlyn Pickens with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 Athletes Unlimited Softball League collegiate draft Monday night, highlighting a class of top college talent entering the league’s second season.
Pickens, a senior from Weaverville, North Carolina, is a two-time Southeastern Conference Pitcher of the Year and holds the NCAA record for the fastest pitch in college softball at 79.4 mph. She posted a 1.47 ERA with 784 strikeouts over 614 1/3 innings during her career at Tennessee.
Carolina Blaze selected Tennessee right-hander Karlyn Pickens with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 Athletes Unlimited Softball League collegiate draft Monday night, capping a rise that began in Western North Carolina and continued through a record-setting college career.
Pickens, a senior from Weaverville and former North Buncombe High School standout, is a two-time Southeastern Conference Pitcher of the Year and holds the NCAA record for fastest pitch at 79.4 mph. She posted a 1.47 ERA with 784 strikeouts over 614 1/3 innings at Tennessee.
Her former coaches in Buncombe County said her success has long been expected.
Chris Brown, a teacher at North Buncombe Middle School and one of Pickens’ former coaches, reflected on her journey from youth leagues to the professional ranks.
“Watching Karlyn Pickens’ journey from our 6th-grade manager in 2016 — when she wasn’t yet old enough to play — to our undefeated seasons of 2017 and 2018, to her standout career as a Tennessee Lady Vol, and now becoming the No. 1 pick in the AUSL Draft, has been one of the greatest honors of my coaching career,” Brown said.
“None of her success comes as a surprise to those who have had the privilege of watching her grow. What we’ve witnessed goes far beyond achievement. It is the result of relentless work, quiet confidence and an unwavering love for the game, all coming together at the highest level,” Bown said.
“She didn’t just reach the top; she showed everyone what is possible when talent meets grit. In doing so, she has become more than a player — she has set the standard for what the game can be and who it can inspire next.”
Blaze general manager Dana Sorensen called Pickens “the whole package,” citing her experience in the SEC and competitiveness as key factors in the selection.
The AUSL, a professional women’s softball league launched in 2025, will open its 2026 season on June 9. Games will air on ESPN platforms, with the championship series scheduled to begin July 25.
“This is an exciting moment for these athletes and for the league,” AUSL Commissioner Kim Ng told mlb.com. “This group reflects the depth of talent across college softball and represents an important step in connecting that talent to the professional game.”