Vols Softball Roster Breakdown-
Hey Y'all! I like to do these kinds of write ups in my spare time, so I hope you enjoy my breakdown for the Tennessee softball roster for next season!
Overall, considering this team made the WCWS semi finals in a year that had its highs and lows, and given the fact they don't really lose that much, their future next year still looks very bright. Obviously Pickens is a huge loss, but returns a huge bulk of their production and starters, except for Ella Dodge.
On the Mound-
Again, Obviously Pickens is a big loss, but given the fact that they return both Nuwer and Mardjetko, who combined for roughly 55% of their innings pitched last season, that's a huge success, especially given there were rumors that 1 of them may transfer,
Sage Mardjetko- Entering her senior season. Firmly established herself as one of the best pitchers in the sport this season. Had a very quality sophomore season, but really took it to another level last year. Finished with a 1.26 ERA which was good for 4th in D1, and was 3rd nationally in lowest hits allowed per 7 innings. She was a 1st team NFCA All American. She also performed very well in big games, including only allowing 1 run against Florida and almost no-hitting Alabama .Overall she'll figure to be among the best pitchers in all of NCAA softball next season, and although maybe not the super elite KO type pitcher that Pickens was, Mardjetko wins more with her command and change of speeds, and the type of season that she had makes the blow of Pickens losing slightly less worse, although you'll never be able to replace Pickens, one of the best Vol athletes among all sports in recent memory. Oh, and off the diamond, she was awarded the 2026 SEC softball Scholar-Athlete of the year majoring in Biological sciences, biochemistry, and cellular & molecular biology!
Erin Nuwer-Entering her junior year. Was the best #3 pitcher last season, and although not utilized quite as much as Mardketjo & Pickens, Nuwer still put up some incredible numbers which suggest Nuwer and Mardjetko have a very good probability of being the best 1-2 punch in softball next season. Mardketko pitched 127.2 innings last season while Nuwer pitched 96.2. Again, Nuwer put up some excellent statistics this season, she was 2nd in D1 in ERA (1.01), 2nd in hits allowed per 7 (3.62), and 32nd in KO-Walk ratio (3.6). Again, not gonna be a lights out KO pitcher, but was very efficient last season, and features a great riseball. Also an interesting stat- she had a good freshman year with a 2.32 ERA, and despite pitching roughly 40 innings more this past season (96.2 V 57.1), only gave up 6 more hits (50 V 44), an excellent overall freshman to sophomore jump. I'll write some more on this later in the post- but what her exact role is is sort of a question, whether she'll be more of a clear #2 or more of a co-ace with Mardjekto, either way tho, they'll be one of, if not the best 1-2 pitcher combo in the NCAA next season, and retaining both of them is critical to how far this team can push next season.
Peyton Hardenburger- Entering her Sophomore year. A very highly ranked recruit who did well in limited appearances last season., especially in non-conference. Only appeared in 7 games (12 innings). Again, was among the highest rated recruits in her class, with On3 listing her as their number 4 overall player, and was also the 2024 Kansas Gatorade player of the year and was 1st team all state 3x (also pitched a 17 inning game in a state playoff game). Top 20 overall rated recruit by Prep Softball. Great potential overall, and i'll touch on this more, but her overall role is a question, because she might end up being the 3rd starter or have more of a relief role if Nuwer and Mardjetko split the innings.
Maddi Rutan- 2 way player entering her senior year; featured more in the lineup during her junior year, starting a good number of games versus 16.2 IP on the mound. Only had 5 appearances, but did well in most of her appearances which included not allowing a run in over 4 IP against Mississippi State. Again, with the big 3 they had last season they didn't really need Rutan to pitch much, but again showed flashes that she can be at least a solid complimentary depth piece- although I'm not sure if the staff wants her focusing more on her hitting or not- after being much more prominently featured in the lineup most of the season. Entering her 2nd season with the Vols after being the ASUN pitcher of the year in 2024 with EKU.
Transferring OUT- Kailey Plumlee. Redshirted this season after being a fairly highly ranked recruit. Her loss probably won't be incredibly impactful, although it does kind of stink for 2 reasons, one being that she's actually from Tennessee, and 2, she's going to Alabama.
Recruits Coming In-
Bailee Shelton, from Selmer, TN, ranked as the 23rd overall player by On3, but might also be utilized in pinch hit situations or in corner infield or outfield as well. She was the 2026 Gatorade Player of the year and multi time first team all state player. Coach Weekly stated that "it will be exciting to watch her develop once she gets to college and focuses solely on softball" (also was a good basketball player). I don't know if she'll actually redshirt, but it will more than likely be a developmental season for her, especially on the mound given how much production they have returning.
Maggie Krause- from Brazil, IN, and ranked as top 100 overall player in her class and top 25 pitcher. At her press conference talking about the new recruits, coach Weekly raved about her off-speed, saying it was "some of the best in travel softball." Again, I doubt she'll have a huge role in her freshman season, but looks to be another high-potential pitcher who might have some bullpen appearances during the year if she impresses early on.
Overall rotation preview-
Tennessee had the best overall staff in the country this past season, and very well looks like they have the potential to be among the best, if not the best, in NCAA softball next season. My big question is what percentage of the innings that Nuwer and Mardketko split. Mardjetko looks to be one of the best pitchers in softball, but I wonder if Nuwer will be her "co-ace" or the clear number 2 options. Some big teams, including Oregon for example, have spent these past few seasons splitting nearly all their innings between 2 pitchers, and I feel Nuwer and Mardjetko could certainly do this. Or, Mardjetko might be the more obvious number 1 option where she gets a tick more innings than Nuwer and might have some series with multiple starts. I know a lot of this might depend on if they have a clear number 3 option they feel like they can rely upon, like Nuwer has been basically. I feel Hardenburger might be the most obvious candidate for a potential 3rd starter, she will be in her 2nd year with the program and did fairly well, and was also coming off an injury, and if she continues to progress I feel she can definitely be a 3rd starter if that's what the coaching staff are looking for. She also isn't splitting hitting responsibilities like Ruttan will. My prediction is that Mardjetko, Nuwer, and Hardenburger will be the 3 starters, with the IP being in that order, with Maddi Rutan having some bullpen opportunities like this year, and if either of the freshmen impress early on I could also see them getting some bullpen appearances as well.
Lineup- They lose Jackie Kirkpatrick and Camryn Sarvis to graduation, and Ella Dodge and Sav Morgan to the transfer portal. Dodge is clearly the biggest loss, a big part of their lineup and only regular starter amongst those they lose. They bring in Karley Shelton, from SC, from the transfer portal, and if you put it in perspective, her and Dodge are nearly a like for like swap, with Shelton being a better fielder and likely a better overall bat as well. Overall, they return nearly their entire starting lineup, and also add Shelton. Again, the bats have been the thing that has let Tennessee down, so they will need to rely on improvement and progression from most of their lineup if they wish to get over that final hump.
They return 6 players who made 50+ starts in Sophia Knight, Gabby Leach, Emma Clarke, Elsa Morrison, Taelyn Holley, and Bella Faw
In addition they return Alannah Leach who had a breakout year last year and was one of their best bats, as well as Mackenzie Butt who made 35 starts, replacing Maddi Rutan in the lineup for much of the back half of last season, who had 44 starts. They also return Zoie Shuler, Meredith Barnhart, and Mccall Sims.
Sophia Knight- Entering her senior season, was a huge portal pickup for the Vols last season who ended up being their most consistent bat throughout the year. An excellent slap hitter with very good speed as well. Led them in many statistical categories including batting average (.394), which was roughly .100 points ahead of Alannah Leach, who was 2nd. She also led the team in OBP (.443), and stolen bases (15). Also a good fielder out in center. Overall, Knight provides a great amount of stability at the top of the order who rarely strikes out, and was their most consistent hitter, who also showed she's not just a slapper, see her 2 home runs she hit in postseason play.
Alannah Leach- Entering her senior year, and had a huge breakout year this past season, and ended up being one of their best bats in her first season starting a majority of their games. Led the Vols offense in slugging (.636), which was roughly .50 point ahead of 2nd place, and also led the team in OPS (1.035), and finished 2nd in home runs with 13, 1 behind Emma Clarke, but if Leach had started every game she probably would have the offense in HRs as well. Also the only batter from the Vols to make an ALL SEC team. Consistent in the field as well. Mainly utilized as a pinch hitter before this past season, so all things considered, her emergence as a very good power bat was one of the big positives to take away from the batting order.
Gabby Leach- Alannah Leach's twin sister. Gabby had been a more consistent lineup presence compared to her sister, starting in a majority of games her sophomore year. Likewise provided a good bat as well, 1 of 3 starters who had double digits doubles (11) and homeruns (10) this past season. Also 2nd on the team in RBI (38) and 3rd in batting average (.291) Interestingly she hit .292 in her sophomore year, talk about consistency! Also solid in the field. However like multiple TN hitters, her hitting numbers slid towards the end of the regular season; was hitting around .400 when conference play opened and still close to that after the 2nd conference series. (I do get it's the SEC, but it's also worth noting Tennessee also had one of the toughest non conference schedules in the NCAA)
Taelyn Holley- Entering her sophomore year after a productive freshman season, and a very highly rated recruit who was ranked as a top 10 recruit by On3 and won the California State junior player of the year award. A very solid freshman season overall, finishing the team 2nd in OBP (.427) and 2nd in walks (27). Also 3rd in stolen bases with 8. Top 5 in batting average (.286) and demonstrated good power potential as well with 11 doubles and 6 home runs. A potential cornerstone in the lineup for the years to come with great potential, and demonstrated solid consistency throughout the year as well.
Elsa Morrison- Like Holley, had a productive overall freshman season, and a very highly ranked recruit as well. Top 15 overall recruit by On3, and a former Gatorade state player of the year award winner. Likewise with Holley, had a good overall first season at the plate and showed very good power potential; Morrison was tied for the team lead in doubles (13), and tied for 3rd in RBI (37). Not super consistent, especially in conference play, but again it certainly wasn't just her. Hit .260 with 7 home runs, and the power potential is certainly there, and was also solid behind the plate as well.
Emma Clarke- Entering her junior year after having a very solid jump from her freshman year to sophomore year. Hit .211 as a freshman but upped that to .274 this past season, the team hopes she'll continue to get more consistent at the plate because the raw power is obviously there. Came up incredibly clutch with her home run against Texas Tech, which helped her lead the team in homeruns with 14, 1 ahead of Alannah Leach. 2nd on the team in slugging at .583 and also added 10 doubles. Again, the raw power potential is obviously there, just not the most consistent at the plate yet, but you have to be encouraged by her freshman to sophomore jump, where she also increased her slugging from .356 to .583 and OPS from .643 to .946. Played mostly 1B but played more and more 2B late in the season
Bella Faw- entering her senior season. Mainly in the lineup for her defense at short, and was very good defensively in an infield that definitely had its ups and downs when it came to defense last season. Not the best bat in the lineup, with a .202 average, but again her defense was very valuable this past season.
Mackenzie Butt- Entering her junior season. Became more of a regular starter late in the season because of the raw power she has, and demonstrated very good potential with the bat during 1st season with the Vols, but again could also be more consistent overall with the bat. Good amount of swing and miss in her game, and led the team in strikeouts despite only starting 35 games, but still the potential with the bat is clearly there. Still top 5 in batting average at .286, and hit 8 home runs, and was also 3rd on the team in slugging at .581. Definitely great potential with the bat, and given this was her first season in the SEC, it definitely shows promise she can get even better.
Maddi Rutan- Entering her senior year, and was another first year Vol after transferring from EKU. Featured much more at the plate and in the field than on the mound. Decent overall at the plate when she played with a .225 average and an OBP of .355 with 5 home runs.
Transfer IN; Karley Shelton- A huge addition for TN, was ranked as the 7th best player in the portal by On3. Entering her senior season. Led South Carolina in both hits (68) and doubles (16). Also hit .345 and 7 homeruns, and on top of that has been a great fielder at 2nd as well. She's a crucial addition and a very good overall player, although I am curious to see where she plays. Part of me thinks she may end up playing at SS and they might let Clarke stay at 2B, and Butt at 1B. If they want Shelton to stay at 2B, then Clarke goes back to 1st, which sort of leaves Mackenzie Butt on the bench, so anyway it'll be interesting to see where Shelton gets slotted.
The lineup also returns Meredith Barnhart, Mccall Sims, and Zoie Shuler, with Barnhart being the only 1 of the 3 with starts, with 9 this past season. Barnhart and Sims both enter their sophomore seasons, with Meredith being more prominently featured in her first season, mainly as a pinch hitter. Barnhart hit .194 with 7 hits after being a 4x All State first team player in HS along with being the Colorado Gatorade Player of the Year. Sims had a few at bats and some opportunities as a pinch runner, batting .125, and was a local recruit and 2x all state in HS in TN. Sims played mostly outfield in HS and Barnhart mostly at short. Shuler enters her junior year after appearing in 34 games in her sophomore year, mainly as a pinch runner. Had 1 hit in 4 ABs, but is an excellent overall athlete who was also a high level track and field recruit, and was one of the best long jumpers in NC.
Recruits Coming In-
Halle Bailey, Middle infield, from Rockport TN, ranked as the 25th overall player by On3. 2025 Prep softball first team All American, and mainly played SS in HS. Looks to have elite short game potential to go along with elite athleticism, stole 98.5% of bases in high school, and according to Coach Weekly, she could be a versatile piece anywhere in the field "her athleticism allows her to play pretty much anywhere." I think it's gonna be tough for any freshman to start in the lineup, but if the Vols roll with Shelton at 2B and Clarke at 1B, that might open up competition at SS, where if Bailey looks just that good she could compete for that spot. Either way Bailey will get lots of pinch running opportunities at least.
Avary Stockwell, Catcher/infield, from Mount Juliet, TN. Ranked as the 15th overall player by On3, and was the state 2025 Gatorade Player of the Year. Mainly played Catcher or 3B in HS. Huge potential with the bat, as said by Coach Weekly in her presser about the recruits; "Avary is one of the best prep power hitters to ever come out of the state of Tennessee." Hit 25 home runs in her junior softball season. Another interesting case, because I doubt she'll get many reps at Catcher, I think Morrison has that spot anchored down, but however, 3B is one of the positions that could definitely have some competition, and Stockwell provides obvious raw power potential, and as of now, it seems she has the best likelihood to potentially crack the lineup if she impresses early on, because the power potential is very obvious. Her floor next season is providing a power spark off the bench as a pinch hitter.
Amani Mcfield, Utility player from Rialto, CA. Not as highly ranked of a recruit nationally as the other but provides excellent versatility with starting experience in the middle infield and all over the outfield, which could certainly help her make starts in the lineup down the line. From Coach Weekly: "Amani is a versatile player who can shine both in the outfield or the infield. She hits from the left side and has that coveted combination of speed and power." Will likely get some pinch hit and pinch run opportunities, and given her versatility, she could be in line to start somewhere her sophomore or junior year.
Overall Lineup analysis-
Ok so overall, to me, it seems like there's 7 locks for the lineup, being the Leach twins, Taelyn Holley, Elsa Morrison, Emma Clarke, Sophia Knight, and Karley Shelton. Things get more interesting position wise. The outfield tho seems the group with less questions, returning the Leach twins, Holley and Knight, all regular starters from last year. I think it's likely Knight will stay at CF, Holley will play LF, and Gabby Leach will play RF, with Alannah being the DP. The infield is where things could look a bit different- with the only thing being certain is Elsa Morrison returning behind the plate. If they want to purley maximize offensive output, and if they feel Shelton can play SS, and Clarke is comfortable at 2B, they could play them that way with Mackenzie Butt being at 1B. If they want to stick with Shelton at 2B, which seems like her natural position, and Clarke at 1B, that leaves out Mackenzie Butt, who has great potential as a power bat. Also again if Shelton sticks at 2B, that could open competition at SS. Do they stick with Bella Faw who started most of the games, and was good defensively, but not so much at the plate? If not, they could elect to go with Barnhart or the freshman Bailey, if either of them look solid enough offensively to make the switch. Also, no matter what, 3B looks to be a question, Rutan played this spot most of the year before Ella Dodge slid over. Rutan did solid in her first season as a Vol, but they could elect to go with the freshman Stockwell who looks to have elite power potential, or Mackenzie Butt, who has mostly played 1B, but did play some 3rd in college. If Clarke sticks at first there's a chance they believe Mackenzie's bat is just too good to leave out of the starting lineup, meaning she could start at 3rd. However, given the ups and downs of the infield defense, I lean towards thinking they don't want to try and switch another player's position to play in one that isn't their natural one, if that makes sense.
The bats have obviously been the biggest problem for TN over these past few years, There pitching again looks to still be elite caliber going into next year, and with most of their lineup returning, if they wish to get over the lineup they'll need more consistency with the bat from most of their lineup. Their defense also had some struggles during the year, and Shelton coming in in the middle infield should help with that and if Faw starts at SS again you're getting a very solid defensive shortstop. Overall, Knight & the Leach twins provide experienced and relatively consistent bats, and Morrison and Holley seem primed for sophomore jumps, which should help the offense. Emma Clarke had a great improvement in her sophomore year, and they bring in one of the best bats from the portal in Shelton. Honestly, if Nuwer and Mardjetko both stay healthy, this team can be WCWS contenders, but if their bats get more consistent, that's what could truly get them over the final hump.
(Source of Weekly's quotes regarding incoming recruits- https://utsports.com/news/2025/11/12/softball-lady-vols-sign-five-for-class-of-2026-ink-consensus-top-six-class)
Sorry for the long post, but I very much enjoyed writing it! Best of luck this upcoming football season, and I hope y'all have a great rest of your day!
~Anthony