Super 16 college softball rankings: South Carolina makes believers with perfect start
South Carolina softball adopted a social-media hashtag this season.
#MakeThemBelieve.
The Gamecocks are doing just that. This weekend, they swept a three-game series against Duke, won those games by an average of 4.6 runs and improved to 19-0 this season. Their strong showing earned them a spot in The Oklahoman's Super 16 college softball rankings.
South Carolina is one of nine SEC teams in the Super 16, including Texas, Oklahoma, Florida and LSU holding the top four spots in the poll.
Of the SEC teams in the rankings, South Carolina might just be the biggest surprise. A year ago, the Gamecocks finished 34-26 and won only eight conference games. Longtime head coach Beverly Smith was not retained after the season.
Ashley Chastain Woodard was hired from Charlotte and brought six of her players with her to South Carolina. Chastain Woodard's biggest get from the portal, however, has been Oklahoma transfer Quincee Lilio. She is hitting .569, the third-highest batting average in the country, and powering an offense that is scoring 8.8 runs a game, sixth best nationally.
South Carolina opens SEC play this weekend with a three-game series at Oklahoma.
Here's a look at this week's Super 16:
More: How Jordy Bahl, Ruby Meylan helped grow, showcase softball in home state of Nebraska
Team (first-place votes) Points, Record through Sunday, Last week's ranking
1. Texas (7) 141, 20-1, 1
2. Oklahoma (2) 129, 19-0, 2
3. Florida 124, 23-1, 3
4. LSU 116, 18-1, 5
5. Arizona 111, 21-2, 8
6. UCLA 98, 18-4, 4
7. Texas A&M 93, 20-2, 6
8. Florida State 68, 16-3, 10
9. Tennessee 67, 19-3, 9
10. Oregon 57, 20-1, 13
11. South Carolina 52, 19-0, RV
12. Arkansas 46, 19-1, 11
13. Oklahoma State 45, 14-4, 15
14. Duke 28, 14-6, 7
15. Auburn 19, 19-1, RV
16. Stanford 6, 14-3, RV
Receiving votes: Texas Tech 8 (18-6), Georgia 6 (18-2), Nebraska 6 (15-6), Virginia Tech 1 (17-4).
More: College softball predictions 2025: Who will win Big 12, SEC and WCWS championships?
Voters: Ryan Aber, The Oklahoman; Jenni Carlson, The Oklahoman; Cora Hall, Knoxville (Tenn.) News Sentinel; Eric Lopez, In The Circle; Justin McLeod, D1Softball.com; Anna Snyder, Tuscaloosa (Ala.) News; Brady Vernon, Softball America; Kirk Walker, UCLA director of softball administration; Scott Wright, The Oklahoman.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Super 16 college softball rankings: South Carolina joins SEC parade
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