Two years ago, Tennessee softball had to watch Alabama's players smoke cigars on the Lady Vols logo in center field as they celebrated their win in the NCAA super regional at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium.
Tennessee didn't forget that image when it faced the Crimson Tide for the first time since the heartbreaking loss that ended its 2024 season one game short of the Women's College World Series.
That was all on the Lady Vols' minds as they won two straight games over No. 3 Alabama to take the top-10 series in Knoxville.
After No. 8 Tennessee won 4-1 in Game 3 on April 27, players ran on to the field with cigars to take part in the longstanding tradition for the winners of the rivalry — and to reclaim their logo.
Gabby Leach and Camryn Sarvis made it to center field first and lounged on the grass smoking their cigars. Soon the rest of the team joined them, and even Tennessee coach Karen Weekly lit up a cigar.
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.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, 2026.1 / 8Lady Vols softball vs Alabama rubber match. our best photosTennessee huddles before the start of the NCAA college softball game against the Alabama Crimson Tide on April 27, 2026.1 / 8Lady Vols softball vs Alabama rubber match. our best photosTennessee huddles before the start of the NCAA college softball game against the Alabama Crimson Tide on April 27, 2026.2 / 8Lady Vols softball vs Alabama rubber match. our best photosTennessee's Karlyn Pickens (23) pitches agaist Alabama batter during an NCAA college softball game in Knoxville, Tennessee, on April 27, 2026.3 / 8Lady Vols softball vs Alabama rubber match. our best photosThe 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 / 8Lady Vols softball vs Alabama rubber match. our best photosTennessee's Erin Nuwer (33) warming up before the start of the NCAA college softball game against Alabama in Knoxville, Tennessee, on April 27, 2026.5 / 8Lady Vols softball vs Alabama rubber match. our best photosTennessee softball coach Karen Weekly during the NCAA college softball game against the Alabama Crimson Tide on April 27, 2026.6 / 8Lady Vols softball vs Alabama rubber match. our best photosAlabama 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, 2026.7 / 8Lady Vols softball vs Alabama rubber match. our best photosTennessee’s Erin Nuwer (33) pitches against Alabama during an NCAA college softball game in Knoxville, Tennessee on April 27, 2026.8 / 8Lady Vols softball vs Alabama rubber match. our best photosTennessee's Karlyn Pickens (23) celebrates after striking out an Alabama batter during an NCAA college softball game in Knoxville, Tennessee, on April 27, 2026."They smoked cigars on that field, they celebrated on our logo," Weekly said. "When somebody does that on your home field, you're not going to forget it."
The Lady Vols (40-8, 14-7 SEC) made an incredible recovery from a 12-0 loss in five innings that opened the series. Tennessee won 2-0 in Game 2 and nearly shut out the Tide (44-6, 16-5) again in the rubber match behind outstanding pitching performances from Sage Mardjetko and Karlyn Pickens.
"It was awesome," said Pickens, who threw 11 strikeouts in Game 3. "Just a great tradition, being able to be a part of that and celebrate that with my team. Super way to end the night."
Pickens had no idea where the cigars were coming from — they just "came out of, literally, left field." She also didn't expect Weekly to join in on the fun.
"I was a little nervous about how she was gonna react about the whole thing, if I'm being honest," Pickens said. "But it was super fun just to see her out there enjoying it with us."
The players were even warming up for the cigars during the game. After some of the RBIs, players pretended to smoke a cigar while on base. Sophomore infielder Emma Clarke, who went 2-for-3 with an RBI and one run scored, said the idea started with jokes about the cigar smoking earlier in the week.
"It was super fun, and I'd never played Bama on the softball field . . . " Clarke said. "I've gone to the football games where we had beat them in the past, and that was just super cool to be part of that culture, and then actually be able to be on a team that does it. It's just truly unmatched. And I had so much fun just looking around to everyone, just being present in the moment."
Cora Hall is the University of Tennessee women’s athletics reporter for Knox News. Email: cora.hall@knoxnews.com; X: @corahalll; Bluesky: @corahall.bsky.social. Support strong local journalism and unlock premium perks:knoxnews.com/subscribe
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee softball smokes cigars on center field after beating Alabama