2025 Preseason Roundtable

Before each season, the Softball America staff discusses a few of the biggest questions leading into the season. Who will be the Player of the Year? What teams will make it to Oklahoma City?

Who is a transfer that will have a bigger impact than most expect?

Tara Henry: Oklahoma State softball made a significant addition to its roster by bringing in Cal State Fullerton transfer Megan Delgadillo. The 2022 Big West Player of the Year is a dynamic outfielder known for her elite speed and ability to get on base. Delgadillo led the nation a season ago with 44 bags and adds an immediate spark to the Cowgirls’ lineup. Her experience and versatility in the outfield bolster Oklahoma State’s defense, while her ability to set the table at the top of the order adds versatility to an already potent offense.

Brady Vernon: Karlyn Pickens needed help in the bullpen, despite Tennessee having talented freshmen arms. The Lady Vols added Sage Mardjetko. The former South Carolina arm had a solid freshman season but Karen Weekly believes there’s more there. Weekly tried to recruit Mardjetko out of high school and is happy she’s in Knoxville now.

Gray Robertson: One of my biggest questions after the coaching change at Auburn and the graduation of Maddie Penta and Shelby Lowe was “Who’s Pitching?” As co-head coaches Chris and Kate Malveaux formulated the bullpen, I still had pretty hefty concerns. Then Haley Rainey, the 2024 Big West Pitcher of the Year, went into the portal and picked the Tigers. In an SEC that feels majorly in flux, Auburn needed to find a reliable number one for 2025. I think Rainey is that player.

Nicole Mendes: Mac Barbara, Texas A&M

Jason Rhea: Florida State struggled with consistency in the circle a year ago. The addition of a few new faces, most notably Julia Apsel, could have a big impact for Lonni Alameda’s club. Apsel brings a 1.35 ERA in over 100 innings pitched last season for Hofstra. If she can acclimate herself to Power Four softball, Florida State could be the team to beat in the ACC.

What freshman are you most excited to see?

TH: Freshman Mua Williams brings a powerful presence to Georgia softball, adding depth and versatility to a youthful Bulldogs’ squad. A highly touted recruit, Williams is known for having a big bat and the ability to drive the ball out of the yard. Defensively, her athleticism and versatility allow her to contribute across multiple positions, providing the Bulldogs with valuable flexibility

BV: Ella McDowell arrived in Fayetteville coming off a great summer with Impact Gold Jackson. According to Courtney Deifel, her performance at the plate has continued and she has brought a different energy to the dugout. McDowell will slot into the infield as Arkansas will need her big bat to produce right away.

GR: When I called the Alliance All-Star game, one player that really stuck out was Florida’s Taylor Shumaker. She’s the kind of athlete who’s got all the tools to be a major weapon for Tim Walton the next four years, and it helps that she also has an infectious personality (her inning of on-air work in that broadcast was a show standout). What interests me even more is that she’s coming into a stacked Gators outfield with loads of talent. It won’t be easy to get into that lineup every game, but I think she’s extremely capable.

NM: Gabbie Garcia, Oklahoma

JR: Audrey Lowrey has already received some high praise from Patty Gasso this week in how she has attacked hitters and improved her velocity in the fall. With Oklahoma not having what appears to be a bonafide ace coming into the season, Lowrey could propel herself into that role by season’s end.

What is your wildest prediction for the 2025 season?

BV: The Big Ten will have three teams host. Yes, the conference that hasn’t had multiple hosts since before the COVID-19 pandemic will have three teams earn a Top 16 seed. UCLA feels like a heading into the season to be a host. Personally, I think four teams; Michigan, Indiana, Northwestern and Nebraska all have a chance to host a regional. Can two of those teams come through? 

Michigan only lost one starter in the lineup and replaced that position with a four-star recruit. Lauren Derkowski and Erin Hoehn are back to lead the bullpen. Indiana’s very good offense got stronger over the off-season and the Hoosiers see themselves as a Super Regional caliber team. Northwestern has plenty of talent and has a few key players returning from injuries. If Jordy Bahl can be the superstar we know she can be on both sides, then the Cornhuskers certainly have a shot.

GR: Let’s get wild, okay? I think Texas Tech won’t make it to Oklahoma City. Now, this isn’t a commentary on the talent of that team or certainly NiJaree Canady, who is a generational talent (more on that below). Really, I’m thinking about history. Over the last 10 editions of the WCWS, we’ve had three teams make it to OKC for the first time. All of those programs (Duke, James Madison, and Kentucky) had been building to that moment by reaching Supers in the previous NCAA Tournament. It’s extremely rare for teams to suddenly make it to OKC without the foundation being laid first and foremost over time (the last to make a first WCWS without a Supers appearance the previous year was Hawaii in 2010, but at least they advanced past Regionals in 2007).

Not only has Texas Tech never been to a Super Regional, but the Red Raiders haven’t been to the tournament since 2019. It feels weird to go against a team loaded with talent and hype, but history suggests it’s just too soon for a run to the promised land of this sport. Getting to Oklahoma City is hard. It’s not guaranteed, and immense talent doesn’t mean you’re a lock. Texas Tech is capable of reaching the WCWS under Coach Glasco at some point, but I don’t think it’s this season.

NM: There will be a Mid-Major team in the WCWS. I don’t think it’s THE wildest, but I think it will be a top one and especially with the parity in softball the last few years I can see a team making a really solid run.

JR: We will see five or more teams ranked No. 1 throughout the season. This seems like the first time in at least five years that the path to a Championship is as wide as ever. With that parity comes a wide array of upsets all over the country. I wouldn’t be surprised if we say Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, UCLA, Oklahoma State, and Tennessee rock that top spot at some point in the season.

Who is your pick for National Player of the Year?

GR: This may seem totally antithetical to my previous prediction, but my pick is NiJaree Canady. Of course it is. She’s the best player in the sport, the reigning player of the year, and she’s adding hitting stats to her candidacy. Her entire body of work will make her the undeniable selection.

BV: Canady is the best answer here but it’s boring. So my non-boring pick would be Bahl. If Nebraska finds a way to host a regional, then Bahl has a great year in the circle and at the plate. I have my concerns it might take a bit for her to return to form but if anyone has the mentality to come back that quickly it is Bahl. And just because I like to be annoying my darkhorse pick is Mia Scott from Texas, who does it all for the Longhorns.

NM: Jordy Bahl. Especially if she hits and pitches. This is assuming she comes back hot, really only needs to find a grove from March onwards. But my gut really says Reese Attwood. I feel like she gets a lot of attention and visibility and if she has a year like last year, this could be the year Texas has a legit chance to win it all with her leading offensively.

JR: Jocelyn Erickson. Erickson had an outstanding season in Florida after transferring from Oklahoma a year ago. She shared the spotlight with Skylar Wallace a year ago. But, in 2025 she will prove that she can be the leader of a Gators team that many believe has what it takes to win a Championship this year.

What team do you think can make a surprising run to Oklahoma City?

TH: Dot Richardson was just one out away from leading Liberty to its first WCWS appearance last year. She has transformed the program into a national contender through elite player development, strong recruiting, and a disciplined culture. Facing top-tier opponents year-in and year-out ensures the Flames are battle-tested for the NCAA Tournament. With Richardson’s leadership, a deep roster including Rachel Roupe, Liberty has the tools to make a historic run to Oklahoma City.

BV: This team won’t be in my eight for Oklahoma City, maybe because I’m a coward but…is this the year LSU breaks through? I think the Tigers have less pressure on their shoulders this year given the youth on the roster. They have the ace in Sydney Berzon to do it. Two-way freshman Jayden Heavener could be the enigma that changes the outlook for them completely. Maybe Bryce Neal taking the reins of the offense is the changeup that’s needed in Baton Rouge.

GR: As you’re probably sensing, I’m not really buying many of the teams outside of the usual suspects. I just have a hard time seeing teams beyond the top 15 breaking through. With that being said, I think Arizona has what it takes to make it to Oklahoma City. With a pitching staff that is ludicrously deep (I almost didn’t have space for everybody on my opening weekend broadcast board), an offense equipped with versatility, and a coaching staff that knows what it takes, I think the Wildcats will prove to be better than the 14-17 spot we’re seeing from most preseason polls by making it to the Women’s College World Series for the second time under Caitlin Lowe.

NM: Liberty

JR: I mean, Liberty is where your mind goes when you look at this question but in a very surprising way give me Georgia here. After so many expectations over the last couple of years to get to Oklahoma City and falling short the expectations are no longer there. The mix of experience and some new faces could take some pressure off and allow the Bulldogs to play loose and excel in the postseason.

What eight teams will make it to Oklahoma City, and who will win it all?

TH: Texas, Florida, UCLA, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, Tennessee, Arizona. As the 2025 season begins, Texas and Florida appear to be the frontrunners for the Women’s College World Series title. Texas, fresh off a runner-up finish, returns nearly its entire roster, bringing back a dominant lineup and experienced pitching staff. Meanwhile, Florida remains a powerhouse but faces the challenge of replacing Skylar Wallace, a key offensive catalyst. Tim Walton is a proven winner and has all the tools to lead the Gators to another national championship.

BV: Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, UCLA, Texas A&M, Florida State, Texas Tech. If I had to pick a team to win it all I would pick the Gators. The offense is so incredibly well-rounded with speed and power, even despite the loss of Skylar Wallace. Keagan Rothrock nearly got the Gators to the championship series without much help in the circle last year. She should be even stronger this season, plus the additions of Katelynn Oxley and Kara Hammock will help her as well.

GR: One of our major talking points on Out of the Box last season was, while parity seems at an all-time high in the sport, a lot of the usual suspects end up in Oklahoma City. In fact, on average five of the eight slots in the last ten editions of the event have come from this pool of teams–Oklahoma, UCLA, Florida, Alabama, Oklahoma State, Florida State, Oregon, and Washington. With that knowledge in mind, along with a few other trends I’ve mentioned over the years, most of my teams are coming from that list. I’ll take Oklahoma, UCLA, Florida, Alabama, Oklahoma State, Florida State, Texas, and Arizona. I lean Texas to win the title, but I’m not super confident in a definitive pick of anybody at this point.

NM: Texas, Florida, Oklahoma, OSU, Liberty, Texas A&M, Arkansas, UCLA

JR: Texas, Florida, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, UCLA, Texas Tech, Florida State, Georgia. On paper, the margin appears to be razor-thin between Florida and Texas. And, you simply cannot count out Canady in Oklahoma City with a supporting cast at the plate. However, I would have to pick Florida at this point. The firepower and depth that they have across the board is difficult to discount, especially if they get some depth behind Rothrock in the circle.