Tennessee softball coach Karen Weekly emphasizes that postseason games are often lost due to mistakes rather than won through strong performance. She highlights the critical importance of minimizing errors, especially in tight NCAA Tournament matches.
Key points
Karen Weekly believes games are lost, not won.
Mistakes lead to losses in postseason games.
Errors and free passes are critical factors.
NCAA Tournament games often have a thin margin for error.
Mentioned in this story
Karen Weekly
Tennessee softballNCAA Tournament
Why Tennessee softball coach Karen Weekly says games are lost, not won, in postseason
Games lost can often be traced back to the team that flinched first. The team that made the errors, or gave up a free pass followed by an error.
It's especially true in the NCAA Tournament, when there may not be high-scoring games and the margin for error becomes razor thin.
Tennessee is no stranger to the concept – the games it has lost this season have often come at the expense of free passes or errors. The teams that win in the postseason scrap together enough to "put up a crooked number" in an inning or two, maybe three if you're lucky, Weekly said May 13.
Tennessee huddles before the start of the NCAA college softball game against the Alabama Crimson Tide on April 27, 2026.
Tennessee's Karlyn Pickens (23) pitches agaist Alabama batter during an NCAA college softball game in Knoxville, Tennessee, on April 27, 2026.
Q&A
What does Karen Weekly believe about winning and losing in postseason games?
Karen Weekly believes that games are lost due to mistakes rather than won through superior play.
How do errors impact postseason games according to Karen Weekly?
Errors can significantly impact postseason games, as the team that makes mistakes often loses, especially in low-scoring situations.
Why is the margin for error important in the NCAA Tournament?
The margin for error is crucial in the NCAA Tournament because games are often closely contested, making even small mistakes costly.
What specific mistakes does Karen Weekly mention that can lead to losing games?
Karen Weekly mentions errors and giving up free passes as critical mistakes that can lead to losing games in the postseason.
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The Lady Vols Locos stand prepared for the NCAA college softball game between the Tennessee Lady Vols and Alabama Crimson Tide on April 27, 2026.
Tennessee's Erin Nuwer (33) warming up before the start of the NCAA college softball game against Alabama in Knoxville, Tennessee, on April 27, 2026.
Tennessee softball coach Karen Weekly during the NCAA college softball game against the Alabama Crimson Tide on April 27, 2026.
Alabama softball coach Patrick Murphy meets Tennessee softball coach Karen Weekly during before the start of the NCAA college softball game between the Tennessee Lady Vols and Alabama Crimson Tide on April 27, 2026.
Tennessee’s Erin Nuwer (33) pitches against Alabama during an NCAA college softball game in Knoxville, Tennessee on April 27, 2026.
Tennessee's Karlyn Pickens (23) celebrates after striking out an Alabama batter during an NCAA college softball game in Knoxville, Tennessee, on April 27, 2026.
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Lady Vols softball vs Alabama rubber match. our best photos
Tennessee huddles before the start of the NCAA college softball game against the Alabama Crimson Tide on April 27, 2026.
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Lady Vols softball vs Alabama rubber match. our best photos
Tennessee huddles before the start of the NCAA college softball game against the Alabama Crimson Tide on April 27, 2026.
2 / 8
Lady Vols softball vs Alabama rubber match. our best photos
Tennessee's Karlyn Pickens (23) pitches agaist Alabama batter during an NCAA college softball game in Knoxville, Tennessee, on April 27, 2026.
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Lady Vols softball vs Alabama rubber match. our best photos
The Lady Vols Locos stand prepared for the NCAA college softball game between the Tennessee Lady Vols and Alabama Crimson Tide on April 27, 2026.
4 / 8
Lady Vols softball vs Alabama rubber match. our best photos
Tennessee's Erin Nuwer (33) warming up before the start of the NCAA college softball game against Alabama in Knoxville, Tennessee, on April 27, 2026.
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Lady Vols softball vs Alabama rubber match. our best photos
Tennessee softball coach Karen Weekly during the NCAA college softball game against the Alabama Crimson Tide on April 27, 2026.
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Lady Vols softball vs Alabama rubber match. our best photos
Alabama softball coach Patrick Murphy meets Tennessee softball coach Karen Weekly during before the start of the NCAA college softball game between the Tennessee Lady Vols and Alabama Crimson Tide on April 27, 2026.
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Lady Vols softball vs Alabama rubber match. our best photos
Tennessee’s Erin Nuwer (33) pitches against Alabama during an NCAA college softball game in Knoxville, Tennessee on April 27, 2026.
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Lady Vols softball vs Alabama rubber match. our best photos
Tennessee's Karlyn Pickens (23) celebrates after striking out an Alabama batter during an NCAA college softball game in Knoxville, Tennessee, on April 27, 2026.
So, the Lady Vols have put an emphasis on defense going into the 21st consecutive NCAA regional hosted in Knoxville.
"Everybody wants to talk about hitting and pitching, but if you can play clean defense and you can get an out every time the ball is put in play, you got a great chance to win," Weekly said. "So when you look at teams that statistically look pretty even, to me, that's what it comes down to, is who's going to play clean softball."
No. 7 overall seed Tennessee (42-10) will face Northern Kentucky (26-23) to open regional play on May 15 (5:30 p.m. ET, SEC Network).
It's also hosting No. 26 overall seed Virginia (38-13) and Indiana (42-14) in the double-elimination regional at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium. Virginia and Indiana will play in the second game of the day May 15 (8 p.m., ESPN2).
Defense will be key for the Lady Vols against Northern Kentucky, which Weekly called a scrappy team.
"They steal a lot of bases. They're just really pesky in their ability to get on base," Weekly said. "Not a big power team, but when you watch them on film, a lot of balls just fall in, and then when they get on bases, they can make some things happen."
NKU's pitching will also be a change of speed for Tennessee, which has been inconsistent offensively going into the tournament. None of the NKU pitchers throw with the velocity of the SEC pitchers the Lady Vols have been facing for the last two months, which isn't always an easy adjustment.
"We're going to have to do a really good job of getting on time with their pitching," Weekly said. "They've got a lefty who's got their most innings. We've done fairly well against the limited lefties we've seen, but you don't see a ton of lefties throughout the season. So there's going to be some different things about them that we're going to have to be really, really locked in on."
Knoxville regional schedule
Friday, May 15
Gates open at 4:30 p.m.
5:30 p.m. – Northern Kentucky vs. Tennessee (SEC Network)
