2026 Women's College World Series way too early predictions
2026 Women's College World Series way too early predictions
The Women's College World Series wrapped after a hotly contested couple of weeks that culminated in the Texas Longhorns winning their first national title. It was also a year of firsts for Texas Tech as NiJaree Canady led them to their first trip to Oklahoma City in program history.
For the first time since 2018, the Sooners didn't reach the championship series since 2018, only the second time in the last decade that Oklahoma failed to reach the finals.
All but two games were decided by three or fewer runs in Oklahoma City. It was marked by incredible pitching performances and clutch hits, giving us everything we've come to expect from the Women's College World Series.
Looking ahead to 2026, you can bet the Women's College World Series field will be full of familiar faces from the teams that made the trip to Oklahoma City in 2025. Here's a look at the eight teams we're projecting to make the Women's College World Series field in 2026.
Texas Longhorns
Texas will lose Joley Mitchell, Mia Scott, and Mac Morgan, but they bring back a talented group of players led by Teagan Kavan and Reese Atwood.
2025 Finish: National Champions
Texas Tech Red Raiders
The Red Raiders will bring back NiJaree Canady and are bringing in power-hitting catcher Jasmyn Burns from Ohio State. Texas Tech will be the favorite to win the Big 12 and be a threat to make it to Oklahoma City once again.
2025 Finish: WCWS Runner-Up
Tennessee Volunteers
Karlyn Pickens returns to lead a Tennessee team that took two of three from the Sooners during the regular season and was an out away from sending Oklahoma to the loser's bracket in the WCWS.
2025 Finish: WCWS Semifinalist
Oklahoma Sooners
You can bet Patty Gasso and a team that was one of the youngest in softball will be on a mission in 2025. The addition of Sydney Berzon gives them a frontline starter to go along with a really talented lineup. Oklahoma also adds the No. 1 recruiting class in the country, featuring the top position player, Kai Minor, and the No. 1 pitcher Allyssa Parker.
2025 Finish: WCWS Semifinalist
Oregon Ducks
The defending Big Ten champions will bring back ace Lindsey Grein and Riley McCoy who led the Ducks with 19 home runs this season.
2025 Finish: Made WCWS
Texas A&M Aggies
Sure, they underachieved in 2025, becoming the first No. 1 seed in the history of the NCAA softball tournament to lose in the regional. But they were a really talented team in 2025 and they'll bring back stars from last years team, like Mya Perez and K.K. Dement.
2025 Finish: Lost in College Station Regional
Nebraska Cornhuskers
Jordy Bahl will be back. Need I say more? It may be tough to expect Bahl to carry the Cornhuskers to Oklahoma City, but she's as good as it gets in college softball. If Nebraska can find her some help, they'll be in the Women's College World Series.
2025 Finish: Lost in Super Regional to Tennessee
Florida State Seminoles
Florida State has been a mainstay at the top of the sport for a long time. They're a team that is well-coached and recruits top talent. Lonni Alymedas will return the corps of a team that had a good season but couldn't solve NiJaree Canady in the Super Regionals.
2025 Finish: Lost in Super Regional to Texas Tech
Missing the Cut
UCLA, who has been a blue blood, is facing a lot of turnover this offseason. They've lost their top two pitchers to the transfer portal, Kaitlyn Terry and Addisen Fisher, a pair of players that were named Freshmen of the Year over the last two years.
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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