Oklahoma Sooners included in Softball America's early WCWS projection
The Oklahoma Sooners didn't reach the Women's College World Series championship series for just the second time in the last decade. They were just a few plays away from extending their semifinal series against Texas Tech, but the Red Raiders came away with the clutch hits to eliminate the four-time defending national champions.
Though many have claimed an end to the Sooners dynasty, the reality is it's just a bump in the road. Oklahoma will be back in Oklahoma City next year. They bring back a talented roster and add the nation's No. 1 recruiting class in 2025.
On3 and Softball America's Brady Vernon believes the Sooners will be one of the eight teams to make it to the Women's College World Series in 2026. In his "Early 8," Vernon projected Oklahoma, along with Alabama, Florida State, Oregon, Texas, Nebraska, Texas Tech, and Tennessee, to make up the WCWS field in 2026.
More: 2026 Women's College World Series way too early predictions
Until the Sooners don't make it back to Oklahoma City, we will continue to predict them to be mainstays in Oklahoma City. Oklahoma projects to have nearly its entire lineup back next season, including Ella Parker, Kasidi Pickering, and Gabbie Garcia. The early transfer addition of former LSU All-American Sydney Berzon certainly helps. They bring back veteran Kierston Deal and talented rising sophomore Audrey Lowey. They will also have talented freshmen Sophia Bordi, Allyssa Parker and Berkley Zache available in the circle. - Vernon, Softball America for On3
The Sooners will still have a young corps of players leading the way in 2026. The addition of Sydney Berzon helps replace Sam Landry, but they need more of their pitching depth to step up next year so they aren't so reliant on the LSU transfer for every game in the postseason. If there's another area where they can improve, it's with runners on base and with runners in scoring position.
Oklahoma had opportunities in their WCWS losses to Texas and Texas Tech but couldn't get the timely hits to rally against to of the stars of the tournament, Teagan Kavan and NiJaree Canady. They'll face the same challenges next year as Kavan, Canady, and Tennessee ace Karlyn Pickens all return for 2026.
But another year with Ella Parker, Kasidi Pickering, Nelly McEnroe-Marinas, and Gabbie Garcia leading the lineup should continue to yield big numbers at the plate.
Though the Sooners may not enter the 2026 season as the favorites to win the national title, you can bet they'll be one of the teams in the mix 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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