The Lineup: Opening Week is Here!

Softball is back! The opening week of the Division I season is here. We picked 10 of our favorite matchups – we try not to repeat teams multiple times – to keep an eye out.

Play our weekly Pick’em Challenge

1. No. 4 Oklahoma State vs. No. 10 Florida State 

Where: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (Puerto Vallarta College Challenge)
When: The Cowgirls and Seminoles will meet twice on opening weekend: 
Thursday, Feb. 6, at 11 a.m. ET, Saturday, Feb. 8, at 8 p.m. ET 
What’s it on: FloSoftball ($)

What do we want to see: Both Oklahoma State and Florida State bring back a strong core of returners and will likely rely on transfers in the bullpen to hold down the opposing lineup. A key focus in this matchup will be Florida State’s formidable lineup against Oklahoma State’s talented bullpen. 

2. No. 9 Texas Tech vs No. 21 Nebraska 

Where: Clearwater, FL (NFCA Leadoff Classic) 
When: Saturday, Feb. 8, at 4 p.m. ET 
What’s it on: MLB Network 

What do we want to see: It’s clear what the fans want to see: a Nijaree Canady vs. Jordy Bahl showdown, which would arguably be the best pitching matchup of the season. Texas Tech adds an interesting dynamic, returning only three players from last year’s squad and bringing in a large mix of freshmen and transfers. Both schools enter the season with a clear ace, but which offense will rise to the challenge and prove itself as a top contender when the pressure builds?

3. No. 16 Baylor @ No. 7 Texas A&M 
Where: College Station, Texas (Aggie Classic) 
When: Friday, Feb. 7, at 8 p.m. ET 
What’s it on: SECN+ 

What do we want to see: Both teams were one win away from Oklahoma City last season. Baylor loses its top two arms from a year ago, but a healthy Dariana Orme could be a game-changer for the Bears. Texas A&M is a balanced team led by Emiley Kennedy, who will have all she can handle with slugger Shaylon Govan. 

4. No. 6 Tennessee vs No. 21 Nebraska 
Where: Clearwater, Florida (NFCA Leadoff Classic) 
When: Thursday, Feb. 6, at 7 p.m. ET 
What’s it on: GameChanger 

What do we want to see: How about a pair of All-American pitchers on opening night? The potential Karlyn Pickens vs. Jordy Bahl pitching duel is one of the most anticipated matchups of the season. This game could come down to which offense makes the first adjustment. As two of the best pitchers in the game today, it will be a thrilling scene on opening day.

5. No. 8 Duke vs No. 15 Missouri 

Where: Clearwater, Florida (NFCA Leadoff Classic) 
When: Saturday, Feb. 8, at 1 p.m. ET 
What’s it on: MLB Network 

What do we want to see: Larissa Anderson and Marissa Young meet in a rematch of the 2024 Columbia Super Regional. Cierra Harrison, Marissa McCann, and the well-rounded Missouri bullpen will face Aminah Vega, D’Auna Jennings, and a Duke lineup poised to make waves this season. However, this game could come down to the pitching duel between Duke’s Cassidy Curd and Missouri’s reliable pitching staff. 

6. No. 1 Florida vs No. 23 Michigan 

Where: Tampa, FL 
When: Saturday, Feb. 8, at 3 p.m. ET 
What’s it on: N/A 

What do we want to see: Michigan’s 1-2 punch of Lauren Derkowski and Erin Hoehn will face its toughest test this weekend. The Gators’ star-studded lineup is expected to be one of the best offenses in the country. We’ll also get a look at Florida’s bullpen additions, who hope to provide more support for Keagan Rothrock in the circle this season.

7. No. 11 Alabama @ No. 14 Arizona 

Where: Tucson, Arizona (Candrea Classic) 
When: Saturday, Feb. 8, at 7 p.m. ET 
What’s it on: ESPN+ 

What do we want to see: Jocelyn Briski headlines an Alabama bullpen that hopes to have more help offensively this season with key starters returning and a trio of transfer additions. Regan Shockey and Dakota Kennedy hope to spearhead an Arizona lineup that can compete with the Tide’s quality pitching staff. Another story to watch is the return of Devyn Netz for the Wildcats, who is back for her senior year after redshirting last season due to injury. 

8. No. 25 Penn State vs Mississippi State 

Where: Clearwater, FL (NFCA Leadoff Classic) 
When: Saturday, Feb. 8, at 6 p.m. ET 
What’s it on: GameChanger 

What do we want to see: Penn State loses a strong part of their order from last year’s regional team, but retains Maddie Gordon, who led the team in home runs in 2024. Bridget Nemeth is the player to watch, though. The rising sophomore was named the 2024 Big Ten Freshman of the Year and intends to lead the charge again in the bullpen.

Mississippi State returns more than half of its starters from a year ago, and Josey Marron is expected to handle a bulk of the innings after spending last season behind the departed ace, Aspen Wesley. If Nemeth doesn’t pitch, who can step up in the Nittany Lions’ bullpen? And how will Mississippi State’s scrappy offense fare against quality pitching?

9. No. 24 Virginia @ South Carolina 

Where: Columbia, South Carolina (Gamecock Invitational) 
When: Virginia and South Carolina will meet twice in two days
Thursday, Feb. 6, at 6 p.m. ET, Friday, Feb. 7, at 2:30 p.m. ET 
What’s it on: SECN+

What do we want to see: Hylton and Bingham are as reliable as they come, but finding production beyond the two stars will be an early question for the Cavaliers. As for South Carolina, how this remodeled roster—featuring nine transfers, six freshmen, and just five returners—gels this year will be something to watch. 

10. No. 3 Oklahoma @ San Diego State 
Where: San Diego, California 
When: Thursday, Feb. 6, at 9 p.m. ET 
What’s it on: Mountain West Network 

What do we want to see: Oklahoma’s first test of the season comes against the reigning Mountain West champions. Dee Dee Hernandez and CeCe Cellura will anchor an Aztec bullpen primed to compete for a repeat in the Mountain West. The Sooners lose what could be the best senior class this sport has ever seen. This opening-night matchup will give everyone a chance to see Patty Gasso’s revamped roster for a program that has won four consecutive national championships.