The NCAA softball event will get underway on Might 17 at 16 completely different websites across the nation. There shall be nice gamers at every regional location, however which of them ought to followers make a particular level of watching? Right here’s a participant (or two) at every of the ten positions followers ought to search out throughout this yr’s NCAA softball championship.
NiJaree Canady, P
Group: Stanford Cardinal (Pac-12)
Regional: Stanford
Stanford softball had some good years again within the day, however its present place on the map as an elite workforce begins within the circle with sophomore ace NiJaree Canady. The righty leads the nation in ERA at 0.50. She is second with 10.6 strikeouts per inning and can have probably the most Ks per inning within the event since Belmont’s Maya Johnson shouldn’t be within the discipline. Her 256 strikeouts are first within the Pac-12 by greater than 40. She completed 5 strikeouts behind Boston College’s Kasey Ricard for probably the most within the nation, however did so in 11 fewer appearances. The pitching employees leads the nation in strikeout-to-walk ratio largely due to their ace. If the Cardinal get again to Oklahoma Metropolis, it is going to be on the precise arm of Canady.
Jocelyn Erickson, C
Group: Florida Gators (SEC)
Regional: Gainesville
Jocelyn Erickson spent her freshman season at Oklahoma the place she received a nationwide title. She did it primarily because the designated participant and first baseman. After transferring to Florida, she nonetheless has appearances at DP and first base, however she’s spending much more time behind the plate in her most popular place. She ranks fourth within the nation with 45 whole RBI and fifth with 1.29 RBI per sport. On high of that, she hits at a .389 clip.
Shaylon Govan, 1B
Group: Baylor Bears (Large 12)
Regional: Lafayette
If the Bears want somebody to get on base, Shaylon Govan goes to do it for them. She reaches safely at a .590 clip, good for second in DI this season. Her .444 batting common leads Baylor and is eighth within the nation. She additionally leads the workforce in whole walks (45) and walks per sport (.88). She ranks ninth within the nation in walks per sport and is tied for tenth in whole walks. As with the remainder of her teammates, she’s not a giant house run hitter, however there’s a couple of option to succeed on offense. She’s discovered a option to be some of the profitable desk setters in softball.
Karli Spaid, 3B
Group: Miami (OH) Redhawks (MAC)
Regional: Knoxville
The saying goes that there are good gamers all over the place. Karli Spaid is proof of that. The Miami Redhawks’ third baseman is the one participant in Division I who slugs over 1.000. She leads the nation with a 1.154 slugging share. That edges out teammate Jenna Golembiewski whose .983 ranks second. Spaid’s 101 profession house runs are second solely to former Oklahoma Sooner Jocelyn Alo’s 122 HR in NCAA historical past. She broke her personal MAC single-season report with 34 house runs this season. That’s first in 2024 and tied for the second in NCAA historical past, trailing No. 1 Laura Espinoza’s 1995 season at Arizona by three HR. This yr, Spaid additionally leads the nation in HR per sport (.65), runs scored (72), and runs scored per sport (1.38).
Maya Brady and Tiare Jennings, SS
Groups: UCLA Bruins (Pac-12) and Oklahoma Sooners (Large 12)
Regionals: Los Angeles and Norman
There’s no option to decide between these two gamers. Brady is the two-time Pac-12 Participant of the Yr who led the convention with 61 RBI and was tied for second with 15 HR this season. She didn’t lead the league in batting common this season however nonetheless hit .403.
Tiare Jennings is a three-time nationwide champion on the workforce that has dominated the previous decade. She and Brady each had robust seasons however in barely alternative ways. Jennings has 4 extra HR than Brady however her common (.368) and RBI (57) are each decrease regardless of enjoying extra video games. Alternatively, Jennings is the stronger defender with a .987 fielding share in comparison with Brady’s .919.
Korbe Otis, OF
Group: Florida Gators (SEC)
Regional: Gainesville
Three of probably the most thrilling outfielders within the sport play left discipline, so outfielders shall be a common class on this checklist. Korbe Otis must be on it. Otis was already an All-American at Louisville earlier than she transferred to Florida within the offseason. There’s little doubt that she shall be once more. She is third in Division I in batting common (.467) and leads all gamers in on-base share (.596). If there’s any criticism of Otis, it’s on the defensive aspect. She has only a .970 fielding share on 100 possibilities.
Dakota Kennedy, OF
Group: Arizona Wildcats (Pac-12)
Regional: Fayetteville
Centerfield normally has the highest outfielders within the sport, however this yr three of the very best play left. Dakota Kennedy is outstanding. She is an thrilling true five-tool participant who stands out in all features of the sport. Like offense? She will hit it out, lay a bunt down for a base hit, and steal a base. She hits .400 and leads the highly effective Wildcat offense with a 1.177 OPS. Like protection? Any ball hit anyplace close to left discipline is unlikely to hit the bottom. Whether or not it’s proper at her, in foul territory, or shallow, Kennedy goes to get to it. She has no concern and can dive for the out with no second thought. She has an ideal fielding share in 104 possibilities to steer the Arizona outfield. The Wildcats have the second-best fielding share within the nation (.982) and the very best amongst energy convention groups. Kennedy is a big cause why.
Claire Davidson, OF
Group: Duke Blue Devils
Regional: Durham
Duke’s left fielder was the ACC Participant of the Yr this season. Her .531 OBP was second within the ACC. She led the league with a 1.439 OPS and an .893 slugging share. She was fourth within the ACC with in batting common (.423) and fifth in HR (16). If the Blue Devils are to advance from their house regional, she would be the key.
Reese Atwood, DP
Group: Texas Longhorns
Regional: Austin
Reese Atwood is listed as C/1B on the Texas roster, however she received sufficient begins at designated participant to qualify for this spot. The sophomore led the nation in whole RBI (86) and RBI per sport (1.59). She broke the Longhorns’ program data in HR (22) and whole RBI on the way in which to being named Large 12 Participant of the Yr. Her .427 common was 18th within the nation.
