Re-ranking the 8 teams to make the Women's College World Series
Re-ranking the 8 teams to make the Women's College World Series
In just a few days, the sports world sets its focus on Oklahoma City, where eight collegiate softball teams will descend to decide the 2025 national champion. Seven teams will hope to be the one to end the Sooners' reign at the top of the sport. However, they'll have to go through an Oklahoma team that's playing as well as they have at any point this season.
There are legit contenders for the national title, however. Several of them are from the SEC. The SEC makes up five of the eight teams set to play in the Women's College World Series. But how do the remaining eight teams stack up? We re-rank the remaining eight teams in the WCWS.
More: Social media reacts to Oklahoma's 13-2 win over Alabama to advance to WCWS
8. Oregon Ducks
The Oregon Ducks are a good team, but how good is hard to tell. They benefitted from Liberty's upset of Texas A&M with an easier path to Oklahoma City than much of the tournament field. But the Ducks have simply taken care of business since losing to Michigan in the Big Ten tournament.
7. Ole Miss Rebels
It may not have been as big of an upset as Liberty over Texas A&M, but Ole Miss knocking off what was a red-hot Arkansas team is pretty impressive. Ole Miss jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first, which included a Lair Beautae home run, just her third of the season. The Rebels scored 16 runs in their two wins over the Razorbacks. If they can get enough outs, they'll be a tough out in OKC.
6. UCLA Bruins
UCLA trailed 4-1 in the seventh inning of game two against the South Carolina Gamecocks and force game three. In game three, Bruins pitchers Kaitlyn Terry and Taylor Tinsley combined for a shutout of the Gamecocks.
5. Texas Tech Red Raiders
If you've got NiJaree Canady, you've got a chance. The Texas Tech Red Raiders knocked off a really good Florida State Seminoles squad in Tallahassee, allowing just one run in the process.
4. Texas Longhorns
Texas had to survive a tough super regional battle with the Clemson Tigers but received just enough timely hitting to advance to win in extra innings on Saturday and then get just enough pitching to survive a seventh inning rally on SundayThis Longhorns team is experienced and battle tested. They've got the offense to win it all.
3. Florida Gators
Taylor Shumaker provided the insurance for Florida with a two-run home run to help the Florida Gators clinch a tough series against the Georgia Bulldogs.
2. Tennessee Volunteers
Karlyn Pickens threw a complete game shutout in game three of their series against Nebraska, outdueling Jordy Bahl in the process. Pickens allowed just two hits and struck out 10. She's among the three best pitchers in college softball. Can the Vols give her enough run support?
1. Oklahoma Sooners
In five NCAA Tournament games, the Oklahoma Sooners have four run rule wins. They've scored 10 or more three times and have a pair of shutouts to go with it. The Oklahoma Sooners will have a tough road to the WCWS finals, but they're the team to beat in Oklahoma City.
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on X @john9williams.
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