DURHAM, N.C. — When Karlyn Pickens stepped into the circle Thursday night for her first professional start, the former Tennessee ace wasn’t the only Lady Vol on the field.
Behind her stood Aubrey Leach, one of Tennessee softball’s most accomplished players who returned to Knoxville as the program’s director of player development. Leach worked with Pickens throughout her collegiate career before the two became professional teammates this season.
Across the field was Payton Gottshall, who spent the past two seasons sharing the circle with Pickens at Tennessee. After helping lead the Lady Vols to a Women’s College World Series appearance in 2023, the former teammates found themselves on opposite sides Thursday night.
The opening series of the 2026 Athletes Unlimited Softball League season offered a glimpse at how far the Lady Vol program has come under head coach Karen Weekly. A moment that signaled a clear path from college to the pros.
“It’s super cool and exciting,” Pickens said. “It just represents Tennessee so well. We have a lot of great athletes and to see them at the next level is exactly what we want to do.”
The connections stretched across multiple eras of Tennessee softball.
Leach starred for the Lady Vols from 2016-19 and joined Weekly’s staff the following season. She just wrapped up her sixth season on staff where she’s worked closely with Pickens.
Now the two are teammates.
“It’s been really cool,” Pickens said. “At first, she was a mentor, a coach in a way. Now I get to be her teammate.”
That relationship was on display throughout Thursday’s game. Pickens repeatedly pointed to Leach’s softball IQ and communication behind the plate as an asset during her professional debut.
“I have looked forward to getting to actually play with her and have her behind me,” Pickens said. “She’s got a great mind when it comes to the game. Just super high IQ. Gives me things that I might not think of.”
Leach’s influence was evident off the field as well.
Head coach Kara Dill praised the former Tennessee standout’s versatility and leadership, describing her as one of the most complete players on the roster.
“She can do it all,” Dill said. “She’s so much fun to watch. She’s a veteran in this game. Her confidence in those moments really shows up.”
While Leach and Pickens teamed up on one side, Gottshall represented another branch of the Tennessee softball family tree.
After entering in relief during the third inning, Gottshall’s first batter was Leach. Leach sent the first pitch back toward the circle, but Gottshall mishandled the comebacker and Leach reached safely on the error as the Blaze’s big inning continued.
Pickens, Leach, and the Blaze won on a 11-2 run-rule victory in game two of the series.
“It’s just awesome. You know, Payton, to see her out on this level as well and playing with Aubrey, you know, I think it just represents Tennessee so well,” said Pickens.
