Softball America Composite Rankings: Week 4

The below rankings are not indicative of the Softball America Top 25. The Softball America composite rankings will average all major College Softball polls. RPI is introduced to the composite rankings for the first time this week. The KPI rankings will be incorporated into the rankings when that data becomes available. All stats include games played from Monday to Sunday each week and do not include Tuesday’s games.

The Release of the RPI Provides Additional Clarity and Confusion

Oklahoma and Tennessee saw the biggest impact when the RPI was released for the first time this week. The Sooners and Volunteers checked in at 26th and 39th, respectively, in those rankings. This is primarily due to the Strength of Schedule component. Oklahoma has an SOS of 245 and Tennessee sits at 159. However, for these two, the SEC conference schedule should provide the ability to improve their SOS in the coming weeks.

Nebraska was the other team affected. The Cornhuskers were 48th in the initial RPI rankings. In what could be considered both a blessing and a curse, Nebraska will not play Oregon, UCLA, and Michigan in Big 10 play. Currently, the only opportunity for quad one wins (which the selection committee heavily values) is against Ohio State.

An Increase in Offensive Production

At this time last year, 11 of the top 25 teams averaged over seven runs per game. This year, 17 of the 25 teams are averaging over seven runs. This can partially be attributed to stolen bases. Florida, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Oregon, Texas Tech, and Alabama have improved substantially in this area. In 2024, those teams combined to average 1.15 stolen bases per game. This year, in the same time frame, those teams are averaging 2.59 stolen bases per game. These stolen bases have been a catalyst to their offensive production this season.

Although it may not paint the entire picture, teams’ walk-to-strikeout ratios can indicate how productive they are at the plate. Arkansas has started the season off as a very hot offensive team. Through 20 games, they have walked an average of just over five times per game while striking out just below two times per game. The Razorbacks are currently the third ranked scoring team in the country behind Boise State and Florida.

Mixed Reactions

There’s an old cliche that defense wins championships. When you talk about softball, there’s an increased focus on pitching and defense. Teams like Florida, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, and Nebraska have aspirations for post-season longevity. But will these teams have the staff to withstand the season without overthrowing their aces?

For Florida, Keegan Rothrock has an ERA of 1.17, and the rest of the team has a 2.48 ERA. The Nebraska staff has a 4.76 ERA, with Jordy Bahl having a 1.43 ERA. Texas Tech has 3.39 and Nijaree Canady has a 0.62 ERA. Ruby Meylan has been outstanding for the Cowgirls, with a 1.34 ERA. However, the rest of the staff has a 4.81 ERA. It will be intriguing to follow these teams’ staff performance through the remainder of the season

Most Impressive and Most Disappointing

We have to start with South Carolina. The Gamecocks were very impressive in their three-game sweep over Duke in Durham. Particularly impressive was that South Carolina tagged Cassidy Curd for 15 earned runs in nine innings throughout the three-game stretch. Arizona was dynamic in the Judi Garman tournament, going 5-0 with three run-rules and an extra-inning classic over UCLA. Finally, Clemson has jumped into the top 25 with 11 straight victories as they head into the ACC opener against Duke this weekend.

Conversely, the disappointment starts as the opposite of South Carolina, with Duke dropping three in a row at home. This weekend will be very important as they try to right those wrongs against Clemson. Georgia only lost two games to Clemson and Ohio State but also had a close contest against Stetson. The schedule gets tougher with the SEC opener against Tennessee. Lastly, Mississippi State dropped an inexplicable game against Northwestern State. The Bulldogs open SEC play against RPI ranked #1 Auburn this weekend.