OKLAHOMA CITY — As Tennessee prepares for another Women’s College World Series matchup with Texas, Karlyn Pickens carries a reminder of perspective with her every inning.
Written on the Lady Vols pitcher’s glove is Psalm 18:32: “It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.”
Pickens was asked about the verse Wednesday, one day before Tennessee’s 2026 WCWS opener and a year after Texas ended the Lady Vols’ season with a 2-0 victory in the national semifinals on the way to the national championship.
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“It’s just a really good reminder for me,” Pickens said. “It sticks there on my glove. So anytime times get hard, I realize I’m playing here for a bigger reason than myself.”
The Tennessee ace said the verse helps steady her during stressful moments and reminds her of a purpose beyond softball.
“It’s really comforting to have that there, knowing that God is there with me and also my teammates,” Pickens said, “And I’m doing it for a bigger purpose than that.”
Faith has long been central to Pickens’ approach to the sport. In a 2020 Extra Inning Softball feature by Brentt Eads, Pickens said she gives “God all the glory” and pointed to Proverbs 3:5-6 as a verse she tries to live by while playing.
“I love this verse because although softball can be stressful at times, I know that God has a path for me,” Pickens told Extra Inning Softball.
Now back on college softball’s biggest stage, Pickens said the message written on her glove continues to serve as a source of comfort and strength.
