For most NCAA DI softball teams, this weekend marks the third tournament of the 2023 season. To say I’m excited that my favorite sports season is back would be an understatement. While working late in the office, one monitor displays my work and the other has a softball game on. At home, I’m watching softball live or searching YouTube for a full-game replay.
On Monday, Feb. 20, the NCAA released its second week of rankings, and, after watching some games, here’s my take on the teams.
UCLA moved into the top position after Oklahoma’s loss to Baylor in the Getterman Classic. The Bears haven’t been ranked lower than sixth in the nation since 2018, and it’s no surprise when you have the decorated coaching staff. Kelly Inouye-Perez is just the third head coach in the program, and she works alongside three-time gold medalist Lisa Fernandez. On the roster, Maya Brady — niece to former NFL quarterback Tom Brady — is hitting .568 with 15 RBIs and 5 HR in 12 games. This team has a tradition of winning and will continue to do so this season.
Despite graduating stud hitter Jocelyn Alo — who set the all-time NCAA homerun record at 122 — the Sooner roster is still full of power. At leadoff, Jayda Coleman is hitting .333 with 9 BBs. Fellow junior Tiare Jennings had a 3-for-3 game against Standford, while Grace Lyons leads the offense with a .429 BA and 8 RBIs. In the circle, Jordy Bahl returns as the ace. Although she is showing her youth early this season with more walks than normal, her 2022 National Freshman of the Year experience will kick in.
After winning back-to-back national titles in 2014 and 2015, Florida dropped off a little bit as in-state rival Florida State climbed the ranks. This program knows how to win and will be led by graduate students Charla Echols at third and Elizabeth Hightower in the circle.
The Oklahoma State lineup has hit 14 homeruns in nine games, with Kiley Naomi smashing four. In their five Clearwater Invitational games, the Cowgirls played one full game, run ruling all other opponents. If they can continue to produce runs, they will be in good shape.
Clemson is quickly making a name for itself in softball, despite just its third year of existence. I’ve always said if I were to draft a softball team, I’d take Valerie Cagle as my pitcher. Not only did she post a 1.92 ERA with seven solo shutouts, she hit .308 with 44 RBIs. She is the ultimate two-way player. Also of note, former Badger Ally Miklesh joins Clemson this season as a grad student. A native of Stevens Point, Miklesh led Wisconsin with 11 stolen bases.
Florida State has been tested early this season, facing five ranked opponents. In those games, the Seminoles went 3-2, edging Arkansas, Arizona and Louisiana. Around the horn, FSU fields Mack Leonard, Devyn Flaherty, Josie Muffley and Krystina Hartley. The dynamic pitcher-catcher combo of Kathryn Sandercock and Michaela Edenfield also return. This team has tons of experience, with just three underclassmen starters.
After their opening 7-4 loss to unranked Lehigh, Alabama has gotten back to winning ways. They’ve won four, one-run games riding the arm of grad student Montana Fouts. In her career, Fouts has been named NFCA Pitcher of the Year (2021), three-time NFCA All-American and three-time First Team All-SEC. All other players aside, the Tide stand a chance of winning any game with Fouts on the mound.
Jumping in the rankings to LSU — if I commented on all these teams, my column would take up a whole page. The Tigers have a rich history with sisters A.J. and Aliyah Andrews in the outfield. I’ve missed watching Aliyah’s slap hits, drag bunts and soft slaps as the leadoff hitter, but what was even more impressive were her catches in the outfield. She set an expectation for LSU’s outfield, as Ali Newland has already made some SC Top-10 worthy plays.
Northwestern popped onto the scene last year after hosting a regional, upsetting Arizona State in the super regional and advancing to the programs sixth Women’s College World Series appearance. While the Big 10 is respectable in a lot of sports, other conferences like the SEC and ACC tend to dominate in softball. To see a Big 10 school have such success makes me happy, especially knowing someone on the team. I played against Syd Supple as a member of the Green Bay Ice, and her talent blew me away. She also hits from time to time at 360U, my collegiate coach Scott Beyer and his wife Laura’s softball facility. I hope this team can continue to represent the Big 10 on the national stage.
With its upset over Oklahoma, Baylor entered the top 25 in week two. Anytime you can hold the Sooner offense to just three runs, you are doing something right. Dariana Orme got the start, giving up six hits without giving up a single earned run. Aliyah Binford recorded the save with just two hits in the three innings.
Another Big 10 team to make waves this year is Maryland. The Tarps opened their season with a 7-3 win over ranked Oregon then went on to defeat No. 3 ranked at the time Oklahoma State 11-6.
If there’s one thing I learned in my five years of collegiate softball, it’s that these early months are only indicators of what your team can be in May and June. For Alabama, that opening loss hurt, but it doesn’t have to define their season. Baylor handed Oklahoma a loss, giving the Bears a boost of confidence. While they can ride it, they shouldn’t let it get to their head.
This is just week two of the rankings. I can assure you, next week there will be more movement in the standings, especially after the Mary Nutter Classic, which started Thursday, Feb. 23. In its 19th year, the tournament features nine ranked teams.
— Natalie Dillon is a former college softball player and the current Sports Editor of the Times. She can be reached at ndillon@themonroetimes.com.
