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![[KBO] Former Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Cody Ponce struck out 18 batters lately going through towards the SSG Landers, a brand new KBO report for many strikeouts in a 9-inning recreation surpassing Hyun-jin Ryu’s 17 strikeouts again in 2010.](https://external-preview.redd.it/bnNqYmU2Zm02ZDFmMdM8yPR4L9kJ67puc2UrDIf8kZvnnMmz-h1sgl9EC1N1.png?width=640&crop=smart&auto=webp&s=d0e2f9289ccedb26bc5ed4d145bb1736086f75b5 "[KBO] Former Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Cody Ponce struck out 18 batters lately going through towards the SSG Landers, a brand new KBO report for many strikeouts in a 9-inning recreation surpassing Hyun-jin Ryu’s 17 strikeouts again in 2010.")
The Oklahoma Sooners cannot do it once more, can they? Coach Patty Gasso’s program has gained the previous 4 NCAA softball titles, and after the Sooners survived their first commute thru a rugged SEC time table, they start their quest for a 5th instantly ring because the NCAA regionals start on Friday.
Don’t let the Sooners’ identify dominance distract you from simply how deep faculty softball has turn out to be. This match boasts exceptional groups from the SEC, in fact — 8 of the total height 10 seeds are from the convention, and No. 5 Florida State and No. 11 Clemson constitute the ACC.
West Coast Big Ten groups like No. 9 UCLA and No. 16 Oregon can wreck the softball, as can different groups within the convention like Ohio State and Indiana. Meanwhile, one of the crucial ideally suited pitchers are taking part in for groups like Texas Tech (NiJaree Canady), Arizona State (Kenzie Brown) or even Belmont (Maya Johnson).
Before we discover out if anyone can take down softball’s crimson-and-cream ultimate boss in Oklahoma City in a few weeks, let’s get started with regionals, which can air at the ESPN circle of relatives of networks. Here’s the whole thing you want to apply because the postseason will get underway.
Jump to: Title favorites | Toughest regionals
Great aces | Best hitters
Games to observe
10 identify favorites
With 14 of 15 SEC groups achieving the match box, the convention regulations the softball roost. But every of the highest 4 meetings — SEC, ACC, Big Ten, Big 12 — has no less than one workforce you’ll be able to communicate your self into creating a run. Let’s have a look at 10 height contenders heading into the match.
Oklahoma
45-7-1 | No. 2 general seed | No. 3 in RPI | No. 1 in Warren Nolan’s ELO ratings* | 22-7-1 vs. RPI height 50
The Sooners needed to accept the No. 2 seed after the SEC match finale towards No. 1 Texas A&M used to be canceled because of climate. But that simply method they get to play with a chip on their collective shoulder, proper? They misplaced midseason collection to each Tennessee and Alabama, however gained 9 in their previous 11 SEC video games to snag the No. 1 seed within the convention match. Like the 2024 workforce, this 12 months’s Sooners are not rather as loaded with superstar ability as earlier editions. But howdy, final 12 months’s workforce gained the identify, too.
(* ELO rankings are a method of energy score that quantities to a issues change: The winner of a given sport takes issues from the loser. You get extra issues if you happen to beat a just right workforce, and also you lose extra if you happen to lose to a lesser workforce.)
Texas A&M
45-9-1 | No. 1 seed | No. 1 in RPI | No. 2 in ELO | 27-9-1 vs. RPI height 50
Heading into 2025, it used to be simple to suppose that OU’s Red River rival, Texas, will be the greatest risk to the Sooners’ reign. But since losing a chain to Florida in early March, Texas A&M is 24-5, and the Aggies snagged the No. 1 general seed with a powerful end. In their previous 3 video games, they beat Tennessee 13-2, South Carolina 12-4 and Texas 14-2. They input the NCAA match in “take no prisoners” mode.
Texas
46-10 | No. 6 seed | No. 9 in RPI | No. 5 in ELO | 25-10 vs. RPI height 50
The Longhorns have reached two of the previous 3 nationwide finals, and with veterans like pitcher Teagan Kavan and catcher Reese Atwood, the total ability is plain. But the Horns want to rediscover 5th equipment: Since mid-April, they have got long past simply 8-7, losing a house collection to Tennessee, getting swept through Oklahoma at the highway and getting pummeled through Texas A&M within the SEC match.
Florida
43-14 | No. 3 seed | No. 2 in RPI | No. 10 in ELO | 23-14 vs. RPI height 50
Florida’s pitching is not rather as dependable because the groups above in this listing, however it could wreck the ball. Among seeded groups, most effective Oklahoma boasts the next workforce OPS. The Gators gained a late-season collection towards Oklahoma through outsourcing them 20-14 in 3 video games, and they have got scored no less than 9 runs once or more in every in their previous six SEC collection.
(* OPS: on-base proportion plus slugging proportion, an effective way of measuring an offense’s mixed potency and explosiveness.)
Florida State
46-9 | No. 5 seed | No. 4 in RPI | No. 6 in ELO | 19-8 vs. RPI height 50
After a bumpy early stretch, FSU has stuck hearth. In their previous 26 video games towards Power 4 convention combatants, the Seminoles have misplaced 4 video games through a complete of 7 runs and gained the opposite 22 through 133 runs. When they get on height of you, issues can get out of hand, as evidenced through ratings like 16-3 and 11-3 over Cal, 13-2 over Virginia and 12-4 over Duke. Losing outfielder Kennedy Harp to a season-ending harm will harm, despite the fact that.
Arkansas
40-12 | No. 4 seed | No. 5 in RPI | No. 4 in ELO | 18-12 vs. RPI height 50
Like Florida, the Razorbacks additionally should not have the most efficient pitching within the match, and their report towards the RPI height 50 is a bit of shakier than different height seeds. But additionally like Florida, they are able to hit. In Bri Ellis, they have got were given the most efficient hitter within the country, and so they scored no less than 5 runs in 8 in their previous 11 SEC video games.
1:11
Highlight: Bri Ellis blasts walk-off grand slam as Hogs beat UGA in taste
Courtney Day’s fifth-inning homer ties it earlier than Ellis’ lengthy ball seals the deal, lifting 5-seed Arkansas to a 5-1 second-round win over the web hosting 13-seed Bulldogs.
Clemson
44-12 | No. 11 seed | No. 11 in RPI | No. 3 in ELO | 20-11 vs. RPI height 50
Coach John Rittman’s Tigers are peaking on the proper time. They’ve gained 22 of 25, together with late-season wins over each South Carolina and Tennessee, and of their adventure to the ACC match identify, they gained each a wild, 10-9 observe meet towards Virginia Tech (they scored 8 within the 6th) and a 2-1 pitchers’ duel towards Florida State.
UCLA
49-10 | No. 9 seed | No. 8 in RPI | No. 8 in ELO | 23-7 vs. RPI height 50
The Big Ten is probably not as sturdy because the SEC general, however trainer Kelly Inouye-Perez’s Bruins have performed 30 video games towards the RPI height 50, and amongst match groups, their win proportion towards the ones groups is worse than most effective Oregon’s. The Bruins are balanced, too: Among match groups, they are 7th in OPS and 9th in OPS allowed.
Tennessee
40-14 | No. 7 seed | No. 7 in RPI | No. 9 in ELO | 16-14 vs. RPI height 50
The Volunteers’ bats can pass quiet infrequently, and their mediocre report towards the highest 50 is a reminder of that. But Karlyn Pickens could be the most efficient pitcher within the nation no longer named NiJaree Canady, and collection wins over each Oklahoma and Texas function reminders that they are able to grind out victories over somebody on this box.
Texas Tech
45-12 | No. 12 seed | No. 17 in RPI | No. 7 in ELO | 16-11 vs. RPI height 50
To advance previous the Red Raiders, you could have to overcome NiJaree Canady two times. Oklahoma slightly pulled it off when Canady used to be at Stanford. Tech served understand with an implausible Big 12 match run: In 3 video games, together with battles with match groups Arizona and Arizona State, they gained through a mixed 26-0.
Five hardest regionals
Some hosts have a bit of extra paintings to do than others this weekend. Advancing from those 5 regionals might be specifically difficult.
Tuscaloosa. Only one host is not the most efficient workforce in its area, according to Warren Nolan’s ELO energy rankings: Alabama, the No. 15 general seed. The Crimson Tide are 19th general, in the back of a Virginia Tech workforce that ranks 15th and went 13-8 towards the RPI height 50. (Bama went 17-20.) Belmont, with the most efficient strikeout pitcher within the nation (Maya Johnson), lurks as smartly. Yikes.
Baton Rouge. Southeastern Louisiana ranks 34th within the ELO ratings, simply forward of Auburn and Arizona State, who every won No. 2 seeds. SELA, alternatively, is the 4-seed in a Baton Rouge regional that still options the third-best 2-seed (Nebraska). LSU misplaced 10 of its previous 15 SEC video games and now faces a specifically tough highway.
Tucson. Arizona is No. 13 general seed, which is apt for a workforce that ranks 12th in RPI and 13th in ELO. But the Wildcats may must get previous each Ole Miss (the sixth-best No. 2 seed, according to ELO) and Grand Canyon (through a ways the most efficient No. 3) to advance to their 10th tremendous regional previously 11 tournaments.
Knoxville. You like runs, proper? All 4 of the groups on this regional rank some of the height part of match groups in OPS, led through Ohio State (first in OPS). Karlyn Pickens is superior, however Tennessee may must turn out it could win a observe meet or two.
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Tennessee’s Karlyn Pickens throws quickest pitch in NCAA softball historical past
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens fires a 78.2 mph strike for the fastest-recorded pitch in faculty softball historical past.
Bryan-College Station. Liberty and Marist are two of probably the most intriguing mid-majors within the draw, and it is virtually unfair that they had been pitted towards every different right here. It’s additionally virtually unfair to top-seeded Texas A&M that the Aggies had been passed no longer most effective the fifth-best No. 2 seed (Liberty), according to ELO, but additionally one of the vital country’s ideally suited pitchers in Marist’s Kiley Myers.
10 nice aces
NiJaree Canady, Texas Tech (25-5, 0.81 ERA). Canady stays the gold same old. She leads the country in ERA and batting reasonable allowed (.147), and he or she’s moment in walks and hits according to inning pitched (WHIP, 0.69) and 0.33 in strikeout charge (39.1%). Oh yeah, and he or she’s allowed a complete of 1 earned run in her previous 5 appearances (24.2 innings).
Karlyn Pickens, Tennessee (20-8, 0.92 ERA). She’s the most efficient pitcher from softball’s ideally suited convention. Among the ones with no less than 50 innings pitched in SEC play, Pickens ranked first in on-base proportion allowed (.255), first in slugging proportion allowed (.239) and primary in strikeouts (123).
Kenzie Brown, Arizona State (19-6, 1.29 ERA). Brown moves out extra gamers than even Canady (41.0%, moment nationally), and he or she lets in neither hits (6th in batting reasonable allowed) nor energy (7th in slugging proportion allowed).
Maya Johnson, Belmont (23-4, 1.24 ERA). The junior lefty kilos the strike zone: Johnson’s struck out just about part the batters she’s confronted this 12 months (her 49.7% strikeout charge simply tops the country), and he or she walks virtually nobody (her 2.7% stroll charge is moment). She’s 3-1 towards Power 4 convention combatants, too.
Sam Landry, Oklahoma (19-4, 2.04 ERA). The bespectacled Louisiana switch is not probably the most dominant ace OU has produced all over its identify run, however she’s battle-tested and robust. In SEC play, she used to be first in entire video games (12), first in innings pitched (100), moment in WHIP (1.03) and moment in ERA (2.24).
2:45
Superstar Sam Landry says Oklahoma’s vibes are prime
Landry joins Rally Cap to speak about how her teammates and coaches have helped her play at an elite degree because the Sooners glance to hold their momentum into the NCAA Tournament.
Emiley Kennedy, Texas A&M (21-4, 2.68 ERA). Like Landry, she’s battle-tested. Kennedy will stroll some batters right here and there, however in SEC play, she nonetheless ranked 0.33 in OPS allowed (.647) whilst going 14-2 and pitching 97.0 innings.
Kiley Myers, Marist (21-1, 1.50 ERA). Myers’ shape dipped down the stretch — of the 30 earned runs she’s allowed, 23 got here in her previous 11 video games — however she got here thru within the MAAC match. She’s moment nationally in shutouts (10) and provides the Red Foxes a possibility towards somebody.
Autumn Courtney, FAU (29-3, 1.80 ERA). The Queens University switch ranks 0.33 nationally in batting reasonable allowed (.156) and fourth in OPS (.505). Courtney has most effective pitched 9.2 innings towards energy convention combatants (UCF and Kansas) however struck out 13 and did not permit a unmarried earned run.
Jordy Bahl, Nebraska (23-6, 1.65 ERA). Here’s a amusing aggregate: The former OU ace is each 10th in OPS allowed as a glass (.521) and 11th in OPS as a hitter (1.486). She’s given up 15 house runs, greater than you would desire, however she’s countered that through hitting 19 of her personal.
Teagan Kavan, Texas (21-4, 2.46 ERA). Like Myers, Kavan misplaced the plot overdue within the season. She allowed 24 earned runs in her first 24 appearances however has allowed 29 in her previous 8. Her numbers had been nonetheless one of the best within the SEC, however she’ll want to rediscover her self assurance earlier than a possible tremendous regional matchup towards Clemson.
10 nice hitters
Bri Ellis, Arkansas (1.838 OPS, 26 HR, 72 RBI). Ellis is the most efficient hitter within the nation through a forged margin. Despite taking part in within the SEC, the 5-foot-10 senior led the country in on-base proportion (.649) and slugging proportion (1.189) and used to be moment in house runs (26) and walks (58).
Cori McMillan, Virginia Tech (1.661 OPS, 30 HR, 63 RBI). She’s the one participant to hit extra house runs than Ellis (30), and he or she’s moment nationally in OPS (1.661) and overall bases (172). She’s stolen no less than 14 bases in 3 instantly seasons, too.
Jasmyn Burns, Ohio State (1.580 OPS, 23 HR, 69 RBI). The Buckeyes more than likely should not have the pitching for a significant run, however they lead the country in OPS, and Burns leads the workforce in the similar class. She’s 0.33 in overall bases (156) and tied for fourth in house runs.
Reese Atwood, Texas (1.383 OPS, 17 HR, 71 RBI). After a celeb flip in 2024, the junior catcher used to be one of the vital SEC’s ideally suited in her first 12 months within the convention, too. In SEC play, Atwood ranked fourth in OPS (1.209), 5th in walks (20) and 6th in RBI (27).
1:07
Highlight: Reese Atwood makes Texas historical past with game-winning homer
In the 6th, Atwood is available in grab with a two-run bomb and turns into the No. 5 Longhorns’ all-time RBI chief with 201 to edge Kentucky, 7-6.
Taylor Minnick, Indiana (1.559 OPS, 16 HR, 63 RBI). The Big Ten can hit! Indiana’s batting lineup does not pass as deep as UCLA’s, Oregon’s or Ohio State’s, however Minnick’s a celeb. She’s moment nationally in extra-base hits (42), fourth in slugging (.980) and 5th in batting reasonable (.473).
Haley Ahr, Marist (1.385 OPS, 12 HR, 61 RBI). Another Red Fox to keep in mind. Obviously, Marist did not play many height groups, however Ahr ranks first nationally in batting reasonable (.527) and has struck out most effective 5 instances all season.
Mya Perez, Texas A&M (1.408 OPS, 14 HR, 68 RBI). Everyone certainly needs to top heading into the postseason, and prefer Texas A&M general, Perez has completed that. In her previous 8 video games, she’s 12-for-22 with two house runs, a double, 11 RBIs and 6 walks.
Megan Grant, UCLA (1.499 OPS, 23 HR, 73 RBI). The lefty pull-hitter has performed All-American caliber ball for years now, and Grant’s 7th nationally with a .957 slugging proportion. She’ll want to steer out of a bit of of a funk, despite the fact that: She’s 2-for-14 in May.
Nelly McEnroe-Marinas, Oklahoma (1.129 OPS, 14 HR, 45 RBI). OU overwhelms you with intensity as a substitute of superstar energy — no Sooners batter ranks within the nationwide height 30 in OPS. But McEnroe-Marinas got here on sturdy overdue, and in SEC play she completed first in extra-base hits (17) and moment in each homers (11) and runs (27).
Savannah Kirk, Grand Canyon (1.088 OPS, 0 HR, 31 RBI). We want a slap-hitter in this listing, and nobody’s higher at it than Kirk. The 5-foot-4 sophomore is moment nationally in batting reasonable (.505) and fourth in stolen bases (47). If (when) she will get on base, she will be in scoring place temporarily.
10 ideally suited first-round video games
Friday might be rather the softball thrill experience, with all 32 first-round video games scheduled to begin between midday and 10 p.m. ET. Here are 10 video games with both main disappointed possible or easy, prime mixed high quality.
Auburn vs. USF (midday ET, ESPN). Auburn were given into the sphere with a powerful non-conference efficiency however went simply 6-19 towards the SEC. USF were given knocked round through Florida and Texas this 12 months however has gained 13 of its previous 15.
Liberty vs. Marist (1 p.m., ESPN+). Kiley Myers faces a Liberty workforce with 5 shutout wins in its previous seven video games. It could be disappointing if this one were not a dynamite pitchers’ duel.
UCF vs. Michigan (2 p.m., ESPN2). Michigan misplaced seven of 8 in overdue April however shutout Oregon and UCLA to win the Big Ten match. Meanwhile, in Isabella Vega, UCF has a participant who just about made the good aces listing above.
Georgia Tech vs. Florida Atlantic (2 p.m., ESPNU). FAU has Autumn Courtney and a 5-5 report towards the RPI height 50. Georgia Tech is battle-tested … however misplaced maximum of the ones battles: The Yellow Jackets are 6-18 towards the highest 50.
Kentucky vs. Northwestern (2 p.m., ESPN+). These groups have mixed for 9 tremendous regional appearances previously 10 years, and both may just provide a difficult check in a most likely Saturday matchup with Clemson.
Georgia vs. Coastal Carolina (2:30 p.m., ESPN+). Georgia started the season 18-1 however were given stuck within the SEC undertow and completed 13-19. Meanwhile, Coastal most effective were given 8 photographs at RPI top-50 groups however gained six of them. The Chanticleers have gained 5 in a row after a late-April funk.
1:04
Mic’d Up: Georgia softball’s Dallis Goodnight
Take a pay attention because the Bulldogs get ready at the box for his or her first-round SEC Softball Tournament matchup vs. Kentucky.
Ohio State vs. North Carolina (4 p.m., ESPNU). Every Ohio State sport is a possible observe meet, and North Carolina is worked up to attain (and ceaselessly permit) some runs in its personal proper. This one may just illuminate the scoreboard.
LSU vs. Southeastern Louisiana (5:30 p.m., SECN). While SLU went simply 0-4 towards the RPI height 50 this season, that incorporates losses of 3-2 to LSU, 5-4 to Florida State and 3-2 to Texas A&M. The Lady Lions have a trio of bad pitchers (Macie LaRue, Britney Lewinski and Hallie Burns) and simply sufficient offense to be a horrifying 4-seed.
Arizona State vs. San Diego State (10 p.m., ESPN2). This could be the most efficient matchup of the day. Arizona State has Kenzie Brown, however SDSU ranks upper in each ELO (26th vs. 37th) and RPI (29th vs. 37th).
Ole Miss vs. Grand Canyon (10 p.m., ESPNU). ASU-SDSU may no longer also be the most efficient 10 p.m. matchup. Both Ole Miss and Grand Canyon rank within the ELO height 25. While GCU is not extremely battle-tested this season, it beat UCLA and Virginia Tech in fresh NCAA tournaments and scored a couple of shutout wins over Arizona State this 12 months.
