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It was a straight shot down Interstate-40, through the Blue Ridge Mountains, a route Carolina Blaze pitcher Karlyn Pickens knows well.
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Pickens made the drive at the beginning of June en route to Durham — another location with which she is familiar — with a brief pit stop in her hometown of Weaverville.
The Carolina Blaze selected the two-time All-American from Tennessee as the No. 1 pick in the Athletes Unlimited Softball League college draft this spring. After spending four years in Knoxville, Pickens was coming home.
She attended Duke softball camps with her travel team, her family home is 230 miles away, and she made a trip to Smith Family Stadium with the Lady Vols in April.
“I didn’t really have many expectations,” Pickens said last month. “I thought it would be really cool to be back in North Carolina, but I was going to be excited for whatever opportunity I was going to get. When they did call my name, part of me was really stoked. That’s what I wanted to hear. I’m excited to be able to go to the pros and be back in my home state.”
Pickens. NiJaree Canady. Maya Johnson.
Blaze General Manager Dana Sorensen wanted to draft a solid arm to give the bullpen more depth and versatility. With three elite players fresh off their collegiate careers, Sorensen was guaranteed to nab an All-American.
“I was accused of being a pitching hoarder, but to me it was like, ‘I’m gonna get a game changer. I’m gonna get a program changer,’” Sorensen said. “I knew early on the pitching was so strong coming out of the draft class.”
Canady and Johnson were worthy candidates, but Pickens was the obvious choice. She’s speedy, can play defense from the position, possesses a high level of mental toughness and features a diverse pitching profile.
Pickens is known for throwing the fastest pitch in softball history, touching 79.4 mph — the baseball equivalent of throwing 110 mph — during the 2025 Super Regional against Nebraska. She regularly reaches velocities in the upper 70s. Pickens can move the ball around the strike zone and trick batters with a mid-60s change-up, too.
Plus, Blaze infielders Ana Gold and Aubrey Leach said her success comes from her competitive fire, work ethic and love for her teammates. On top of her length and natural talent, Pickens is willing to put in the “dirty work” with no complaints.
“Not a single person I’ve ever talked to has said anything other than she is a fantastic teammate who just wants to win and is 100% team first,” Sorensen said. “That is hard to do when you’re the most talked-about, hardest-throwing pitcher we’ve ever seen.”
Pickens started Game 2 of the season days after her arrival in Durham, and has made 15 appearances in the circle.
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The right-hander is seconds in the AUSL in innings pitched (60.1) and strikeouts (60). Pickens holds a 3.36 ERA, which is third — behind Chicago’s Lexi Kilfoyl (1.95) and Utah’s Montana Fouts (2.36) — among players who have thrown more than 40 innings. Batters, meanwhile, are only hitting .232 when facing the North Carolina native.
“She’s been great,” Blaze head coach Kara Dill said Thursday. “Her physical dominance is one thing. Her statistics are another thing. … It’s easy to play defense behind somebody who you know is going to fight for you every single pitch and compete every single pitch.”
A line of fans of all ages and genders stood outside the batting cages Thursday after the Blaze’s 15-7 loss to the Chicago Bandits. They eagerly awaited their opportunity to get an autograph and take a photo with the softball star.
Pickens’ impact on the field and on her team certainly played a part in her selection. Her character and engagement with the community, however, set the 22-year-old apart.
“When we drafted Karlyn, immediately people were ready to get in their cars, drive, buy tickets and see her in person,” Sorensen said. “That kind of commitment to watching elite-level athletes, I think, is strong here in the Carolina region, the Southeast and even beyond that.”
The Blaze’s first season in Durham comes to a close in the coming days. It’s been a roller coaster of results, but the softball community has embraced the franchise. Nearly every game has been a sellout, with fans coming from all over the country to watch their favorite players.
Pickens is among the top, leading in merchandise sales and garnering some of the loudest cheers at every venue.
None of it is lost on her. Pickens understands the significance of this summer and getting to play where she’s from. People who supported her from the beginning are back in the stands, supporting her like she never left.
That’s why she’ll stand outside on a muggy night, a smile on her face as she signs softballs, T-shirts and pink tumblers. She won’t complain when people ask to take multiple selfies or young fans ask for a hug.
Call it a full circle moment. It’s only appropriate for a pitcher who spends her time in one on the field.
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