Tennessee softball returned to SEC play this week but couldn't pull out a series win.

Despite dropping the series, the No. 7 Lady Vols did manage to break a record.

Here's what happened.

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Tennessee got the week started with a trip to Columbia, Tennessee to meet Eastern Kentucky. The Lady Vols had no issue, run-ruling the game with an 8-0 win in five frames.

Tennessee used six hits in the game to score its eight runs. The majority came from Sophia Nugent who drove in six of them. This came on the only two home runs of the game.

In the circle, Karlyn Pickens got the start. She threw four innings with just one hit allowed before handing the ball to Erin Nuwer to close the game.

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Sophia Nugent - 2 AB, 2 R, 2 H, 6 RBI, 2 HR

Tennessee then turned the page to Arkansas at home on a series spanning from Saturday to Monday. Tied at three, the game went to extra innings. However, a sac-fly and pair of walks following an error scored three unearned runs to give the Razorbacks the win in extras.

Pickens through the entire game, allowing three earned runs on eight hits while striking out 10. She threw 161 pitches in the game.

At the plate, McKenna Gibson hit a home run for two RBI with the other runs coming on a Nugent double.

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Karlyn Pickens - 8.0 IP, 6 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 10 K, 1 HBP, 161 NP

The Lady Vols met Arkansas with a chance to even the series but got blown out instead. The Razorbacks put up five insurance runs in the top of the seventh to leave no hope of a comeback with Tennessee shutout.

The Lady Vols earned five hits, two by Saviya Morgan, but left nine runners on base in the game.

Nuwer got the start and went 3.1 innings with five earned runs and one unearned. She was handed the loss. Sage Mardjetko pitched 1.1 innings of hitless softball before Peyton Tanner finished the game.

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Sage Mardjetko - 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 24 NP

With the series already lost, Tennessee looked to avoid the sweep. While holding on to win a narrow game, Pickens threw a 78.2 mph pitch to break the record for the fastest pitch in collegiate softball history. This topped the record she previously shared with former Lady Vols Monica Abbott.

Pickens did this in relief while throwing 4.1 innings without allowing a hit or run. Marjetko got the start while going 2.2 innings with a pair of earned runs.

At the plate, Tennessee got just two hits. Morgan and Laura Mealer got the knocks with a pair of RBI coming off Mealer's double.

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Karlyn Pickens - 4.1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 56 NP

- Fri: at No. 2 Oklahoma (7:30 p.m. ET)

- Sat: at No. 2 Oklahoma (2 p.m.)

- Sun: at No. 2 Oklahoma (2 p.m.)

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