2025 Woman’s college softball tournament predictions
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Christmas in May? No, the road to the WCWS starts TODAY!
Some 4-5 years ago or so, I started watching Softball a LOT more intentionally. Why? Because my Oklahoma Sooners were building a dynasty (Four straight championships) and I wanted to support. However, my experience watching games went from just casual support, to an addiction. I’m man enough to admit that the sport of Softball at its highest peak CLEARS any college or professional baseball setting at its best. And there’s television numbers out there to prove my stance.
The games go faster and there’s almost never any lulls, just pure nonstop action. It’s almost a completely different sport. From the unique pitch delivery and types, to slap hits when at the plate, you can tell why I got hooked.
Which brings me to today’s article. Where I break down this year’s COMPLETE bracket, while highlighting some key games and potential matchups along the way. Enjoy!
Key games to watch on Friday (5/16):
The first round of regional matchups start Friday at 11 AM (Central), with the last first pitch being thrown at 9:00. Here’s a few of the key matchups to watch for on day one, if you’re new to the sport and want a taste of what it’s like, or you’re a die hard fan that wants to see the best action the day has to offer.
Bryan-College Station Regional:
Liberty vs Marist (12:00)
Marist will trot out stud ace Kiley Myers (second nationally in shutouts with ten), who’s posted a 21-1 record and a 1.50 era. She’ll be facing a Liberty team who’s tallied FIVE shutout wins in its past seven games. These two were thought to have been one of the best mid major programs going into the post season, so it’s really a shame they have to face each other. Success in May-June in this tournament leans on the arm of stud aces notoriously, so this is definitely a game to keep your eyes on.
Tuscaloosa Regional:
Belmont vs Virginia Tech (2:30)
Everyone is wanting to see the potential rematch between Alabama and Oklahoma, but I don’t think we’ll even see that in what’s a TOUGH Tuscaloosa regional. Normally these things have been chalk in recent years, but this year it’s WIDE open. Expect MAYhem.
Led by one of the best bats in the COUNTRY in Cori McMillan, Virginia Tech is one of the most well rounded squads in the nation and is a HUGE threat to upset the Crimson Tide. That is however, IF they can upset a Belmont team who’s ace, Maya Johnson leads the NATION in strikeouts. Remember when I mentioned how a hot pitcher can drag a team far in these tournaments (you’ll see teams best likely in back to back games in the post season, if needed)? Yeah, Maya Johnson can do just that.
Baton Rouge Regional:
LSU vs SE Louisiana (4:30)
Although Southeastern Louisiana hasn’t BEATEN the top teams they’ve faced this season, they’ve played some really good teams close, including a 5-4 loss to Florida State, a 3-2 loss vs Texas and a 3-2 loss to their regional opponent in LSU.
Bracket predictions:
Bryan-College Station regional: A&M
Actually playing Oklahoma in the SEC championship could’ve changed things, but the program first in the RPI has seemingly always had the first overall seed in the tournament & that team this year was Texas A&M. However, I feel as if they got a bit of an unlucky draw with Marist and Liberty being some of the few mid majors who can actually pose threats to the heavy hitters in the field of 64. One of them could give A&M a scare, but I think the Aggies are too battle tested to not advance here.
Norman regional: Oklahoma
The Sooners aren’t as dominant as they have been in years past with a youthful squad, but they still have championship level experience and it shows. Evidence enough would be their comeback victory in their SEC tournament semifinals matchup against Arkansas, in what was arguably the game of the year. The question for Oklahoma will be; can they get support in the circle outside of Sam Landry in order to make another championship run. They need her well rested and at her best in the Super Regionals.
Gainesville regional: Florida
FAU could make things interesting (Led by Ace Autumn Courtney, who ranks third nationally in batting average allowed, at .156) with wins against power conference foes of Ole Miss, Clemson, Minnesota and NC State before claiming their conference championship. Florida can be inconsistent in the circle, but they can hit the cover off the ball and should be too much for their regional opponents.
Fayetteville regional: Oklahoma State
Hear me out. Oklahoma State is a postseason experienced squad, who was ranked in the top FIVE in the preseason. They have wins against Texas A&M, Florida State, Texas Tech, Arizona and Alabama this season, proving they can win big time matchups. The question is, can their bats keep up with Bri Ellis and the Razorbacks? If the Razorbacks don’t respond well to their devastating loss in the SEC tournament, they can be beaten.
Tallahassee regional: Florida State
Look for South Florida to upset Auburn and advance to the championship. However, their run will be put to a screeching halt by the Seminoles, who’s one of the hottest teams in the nation. In their last 26 games, they’ve won 22 by a total of 133 runs.
Austin regional: Texas
The Longhorns slept walked their last three weeks of the season, going 8-7 since Mid April. Including dropping a home series to Tennessee, being swept by Oklahoma and looking inferior against A&M in the SEC tournament. However, Texas has reached two of the past three championship series and is loaded of talent. They move on. Look for UCF and Michigan to create a fun first round matchup, however.
Knoxville regional: Ohio State
Tennessee has a top five arm in the country in Karlyn Pickens, but the lack of depth behind her could prove to be a problem considering that Ohio State’s lineup is the best in the country and could figure her out multiple times through the lineup. IF the Buckeyes steal a game and the Vols have to utilize another arm, it could pose a problem.
Columbia regional: South Carolina
South Carolina shockingly was seeded higher than expected, with many thinking teams like UCLA or LSU should’ve been seeded higher than them. That now comes with a pressure to succeed and North Florida and Elon in their region are two teams with NOTHING to lose and Virginia is a team I’m projecting to force the Gamecocks to a win or go home matchup and could easily advance. However, South Carolina’s home field advantage will prove advantage enough and they’ll pull away with a close series victory.
Los Angeles regional: UCLA
The Bruins lost 2/3 to Northwestern late in the season and also dropped the Big Ten championship to Michigan, which has many fans really questioning just how for real this team really is. A team whose pitching was once thought to be a strength, they’ve struggled to end the season. However, I believe they’ll bounce back with a fresh slate in the post season and lean on that deep staff at a time where that is a MASSIVE advantage.
Baton Rouge regional: LSU
Between a tough mid major like Southeastern Louisiana & Jordy Bahl and the Cornhuskers, the LSU Tigers are a trendy team to predict being upset. Especially after absolutely limping to the finish line of their regular season. However, I think I’m going to zig when the consensus zags and have them advance.
Clemson regional: Clemson
Clemson is a team that’s absolutely peaking at the right time, winning 22 of their last 25 games, including wins over South Carolina and Tennessee en route to another ACC title. Northwestern is scrappy, but Kentucky doesn’t belong in the tournament, in my opinion. The Tigers should easily roll on.
Lubbock regional: Texas Tech
The Texas Tech Red Raiders are the first team put together by the “NIL era” of college athletics in softball. Think Miami, Texas A&M or Oregon in football. The roster was practically patched together and brand new, so it took a while to gel. However, they landed the prize transfer of the offseason in Nijaree Canady and are a force simply due to the fact that you have to beat her twice in three tries. Which is very hard to do.
Tuscon regional: Ole Miss
The Rebels are coming off of a key victory over the Florida Gators in the SEC tournament and is a well balanced team that could give the Arizona Wildcats pitching staff some real trouble without a true ace. Don’t sleep on Grand Canyon either, who’s arguably the best mid major in the tournament.
Durham regional: Duke
There could be some family fun with Marissa Young and Duke if things hold chalk and they end up facing Florida in the Supers, considering her daughter is on the roster. Get to know Costal Carolina, as I have them making a splash and upsetting a Georgia team that I believe is one of those overrated SEC schools like Auburn and Kentucky.
Tuscaloosa regional: Belmont
You want upsets? Well you got one from me here. Virginia Tech is viewed to be a trendy upset pick, but I decided to roll with Belmont, who’s making their very first ever NCAA appearance, led by their dominant ace in Maya Johnson. I’ve said it multiple times in this article, but having a go-to ace is MASSIVE in the tournament. Remember Odicci Alexander and James Madison in 2021?
Eugene regional: Oregon
Even without Nijaree Canady, Stanford has put together a really nice season, this time around with their bats. The Ducks won the Big-10 regular season title and look the part, but are not a very popular team when it comes to the metrics. However, they’re a really talented squad with a solid pitching staff.
Super regionals:
Texas A&M vs Oregon
Maybe I’m showing some Sooner bias, but I believe that Melyssa Lombardi (Former Oklahoma assistant) and the Ducks could really aggravate the Aggies in what would be a pitchers duel. I have the one seed being upset!! The Aggies have all the pressure in the world to succeed and have never been in this position in being the hunted and it’ll show.
Oklahoma vs Belmont
Although I believe Belmont will give the Sooners squad some problems and potentially even steal a game, their lack of talent and depth will ultimately be brought to light and Oklahoma’s playoff experience will prevail.
Florida vs Duke
This one is very intriguing, with both teams play style being drastically different. Florida can be very inconsistent, especially on the mound and if the Blue Devils control the pace of the game and the Gators bats, things could go wrong quickly for the third seed. However, I see the team advancing due to their home field advantage.
Oklahoma State vs Ole Miss
Two teams who battled through a couple of massive regional upsets, this series would be very fun to watch. It could be a three game series, but Oklahoma State’s playoff experience will put an end to the Rebels hot end of the season.
Florida State vs Texas Tech
If FSU was seeded differently, I might would have projected them to make the championship series. However, I don’t see how they beat Nijaree Canady twice in three tries. Texas Tech pulls off another upset.
Texas vs Clemson
Both teams are balanced and versatile enough to make deep runs, but I believe Texas will turn it up another notch in the post season. Especially at home.
Ohio State vs LSU
Ohio States offense will give the Tigers pitching staff some real trouble, but their rotation is deeper and more reliable for postseason play. LSU wins in three.
South Carolina vs UCLA
This one might be one of the most exciting potential Super Regional matchups on paper. I’m predicting that the Bruins would have much more momentum heading into the series and would handle it mightily.
WCWS:
Oregon vs UCLA
Oregon won their regular season series against the Bruins (2-1), with a combined score of 12-9. In what would be a classic battle between a blue blood in UCLA and a “new” blood in Oregon, both team’s pitching staffs are one of the top in softball. However, if Brooke Yanez and Taylor Tinsley finds their stride in postseason play for the Bruins, they’ll be tough to beat this time around. That’s what I’m projecting, as the Bruins advance in an electric three game series.
Texas Tech vs Oklahoma State
Another inner conference matchup, Tech won a March 7th-9th series with a combined score of 12-10 (OSU won 10-1 in game three to avoid the sweep). Again, I just don’t think a Texas Tech team with Nijaree Canady and a clicking lineup will be stopped in a three game series.
Florida vs Texas
Texas won their regular season series against Florida by the combined score of 21-12. The Longhorns are simply too deep and the Gators are just too inconsistent. If Texas really was just sleepwalking into the postseason and they catch fifth gear this postseason, they will be VERY tough to beat.
Oklahoma vs LSU
A rematch of the SEC quarterfinals matchup between The Sooners and the Tigers (Sooners won 4-1) in Athens, I think the Sooners will make quick work of the Tigers in OKC.
Final four:
UCLA VS Texas Tech
Knocking off battle tested teams like Florida State and Oklahoma State, I just believe Texas Tech could potentially have too much momentum for the Bruins. They advance to the championship series.
Oklahoma vs Texas
Of course. The red river rivalry to decide who goes to the championship series. I think it’ll naturally be a close and three game series, but Oklahoma will edge out the Longhorns.
WCWS championship series:
Oklahoma vs Texas Tech
In a wild 12 seed vs 2 seed matchup, Nijaree Canady stands in the way of another Oklahoma national title. However, the Sooners will be too much with their experience (not to mention that Canady will likely be exhausted from a long postseason) and superior depth will allow the team win their fifth straight championship.