Tennessee Softball Tosses No-Hitter in 2026 Season-Opening Win vs. BYU

Sophomore pitcher Erin Nuwer shines in dominant performance to start the year.

Feb. 6, 2026 at 8:55am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Tennessee softball opened its 2026 season with a dominant 10-0 victory over BYU, highlighted by a no-hitter from sophomore pitcher Erin Nuwer. Nuwer pitched all five innings, striking out five batters and allowing just two walks. Freshman catcher Elsa Morrison led the offense with a 2-for-3 performance, driving in five runs and hitting a home run.

Why it matters

Tennessee softball is looking to build on its success from last season, when the team made it to the Women's College World Series. The no-hitter from Nuwer is an impressive start to the year and shows the team has strong pitching depth, with Karlyn Pickens and Sage Mardjetko also waiting in the wings.

The details

Erin Nuwer was dominant in the circle, pitching all five innings of the run-rule victory and not allowing a single hit. She struck out five batters and walked two. On offense, freshman catcher Elsa Morrison had a big game, going 2-for-3 with five RBIs, two runs scored, a double, and a home run. Ella Dodge also hit a two-run homer for the Lady Vols.

  • The game was played on Thursday, February 6, 2026 in Clearwater, Florida.

The players

Erin Nuwer

A sophomore pitcher for the Tennessee Lady Volunteers softball team who tossed a no-hitter in the season-opening win over BYU.

Elsa Morrison

A freshman catcher for the Tennessee Lady Volunteers who had a big game at the plate, going 2-for-3 with five RBIs, two runs scored, a double, and a home run.

Karen Weekly

The head coach of the Tennessee Lady Volunteers softball team.

Karlyn Pickens

A star pitcher for the Tennessee Lady Volunteers who is waiting to make her season debut.

Sage Mardjetko

Another notable pitcher for the Tennessee Lady Volunteers who is yet to see action this season.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Erin Nuwer is somebody who none of us saw the real Erin Nuwer last year. Well, until the Florida game at the World Series, then we saw the real Erin Nuwer. But I believe in those guys a ton, and I think we have, in those three pitchers (Nuwer, Karlyn Pickens and Sage Mardjetko), who I think would be the ace on any team that they were a part of.”

— Karen Weekly, Tennessee softball head coach

What’s next

The Lady Vols will play two games on Friday, February 6th - first against Liberty at 4pm ET, then against Rutgers at 7pm ET. On Saturday, they will face Boston College and Oregon to round out the NFCA Leadoff Classic event.

The takeaway

Tennessee softball's dominant season-opening win, highlighted by a no-hitter from Erin Nuwer, shows the team has strong pitching depth that will be crucial as they look to build on last year's Women's College World Series appearance. With Karlyn Pickens and Sage Mardjetko also waiting in the wings, the Lady Vols have the makings of a formidable pitching staff that could lead them on another deep postseason run.