Bio

• Freshman; Pitcher; 5-10, 180; L/L
• Hueytown, Alabama (Hueytown HS)
• Second season at Shelton State
• 3-Time ACCC Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll
• 2024 First-Team All-American
• Second Shelton State pitcher to earn first-team All-American honors (Jonathan Smart, 2007)
• 2024 ACCC Relief Pitcher of the Year
• Ranked second among NJCAA pitchers with 11 saves
• Led the ACCC with 11 saves; second most in school history
• Graduated from Hueytown High School
• 2023 ASWA Second Team Class 6A All-State selection
• Parents are Michael and Tammy Pickens

Preseason All-American and Pitcher of the Year candidate … Led the ACCC and ranked second in NJCAA with 11 saves as freshman … 2024: First-Team All-American … ACCC Relief Pitcher of the Year … Posted 2-1 record with 11 saves and 1.29 ERA in team-high 24 appearances … The 11 saves are second most in a season in school history … The 1.29 ERA is the fourth lowest in a season in school history … He logged 35 innings and allowed 12 runs (5 ER) and 23 hits with 53 strikeouts and 13 walks … In 14 ACCC games, Pickens posted a 1-1 record with saves and 0.84 ERA … He logged 21 1/3 innings and allowed seven runs (2 ER) and 12 hits with 30 strikeouts and eight walks … Led ACCC with 24 appearances, 13.63 strikeouts per nine innings and 11 saves … Ranked 13^th in ACCC with 53 strikeouts … Named to 2024 South Region All-Tournament Team after recording saves against Southern Union and Delgado … Recorded two saves in in Chatt Valley series (April 25-27) … Retired all 12 batters he faced en route to first career win at Coastal Alabama South (April 18); recorded season-high 6 strikeouts against the Coyotes … he was also inserted into batting order after double switch and walked and scored in decisive run in the 11^th inning … Pitched in three (4.1 IP; 1 H; 0 R; 2 BB; 8 K) of the four games against Snead State (March 28-30); recorded ACCC-leading sixth save in 9-8 win (2.1 IP; 1 H; 0 R; 1 BB; 3 K) at Snead State (March 30); struck out Alex Johnson with tying run at second base to end the game; earned save in series opened with Calhoun; worked out of bases-loaded jam in seventh inning … Fired two scoreless innings (2 IP; 1 H; 0 R; 0 BB; 2 K) vs. Gadsden State (March 14) … Collected fourth save (2.2 IP; 1 H; 1 ER; 3 BB; 5 K) vs. No. 20 Southern Union (March 9) … Recorded 2-inning save (2 IP; 2 H; 0 R; 0 BB; 4 K) against Wabash Valley (March 2) … Collected third save with scoreless inning (1 IP, 0 H, 1 BB, 2 K) vs. No. 9 NW Florida State (Feb. 29) … Suffered first loss (1.2 IP; 2 H; 1 ER; 1 BB; 3 K) at No. 20 Jones (Feb. 8) … Posted save in collegiate debut (1 IP; 1 H; 0 R; BB; 2 K) against Bevill State (Feb. 6) … Prep: Graduated with advanced diploma (3.9 GPA) from Hueytown High School … 2023 ASWA Second Team Class 6A All-State selection … 2023 First-Team All-Jefferson County … as a senior, he started 10 games and posted a 6-3 record with two saves and 1.30 ERA …  he recorded 88 strikeouts and held opponents to a .185 batting average … advanced to Elite 8 of Class 6A Playoffs … 2023 ASWA First Team Class 6A All-State selection … 2022 Jefferson County Pitcher of the Year … 2022 First-Team All-Jefferson County … he was 8-2 with two saves and 0.83 ERA as junior … he logged 103 strikeouts and held opponents to a .129 average … advanced to second round of the Class 6A state playoffs … Personal: Parents are Michael and Tammy Pickens … he has one brother, Landon.