The 2025 NCAA Softball Tournament kicks off on Friday, with the first game starting at noon ET. Howard will take on No. 14 Duke, while South Florida faces Auburn in the Tallahassee region.
If you’re just now getting into college softball this season, there are a few standout players to check out. Some excel at stealing bases, while others shine at hitting or catching. A few are known for their power at the plate or for nabbing base runners from behind the dish.
These nine athletes should catch your attention as the road to Oklahoma City begins.
9. KaiLuschar, Oregon, LF
Rusher, a redshirt senior from Carson City, Nevada, is unmatched when it comes to stealing bases. She’s stolen an impressive 54 so far this season, leading the nation. With a .404 batting average and 69 hits, she earned a spot on the All-Big Ten first team.
8. Tallinn Kern, Stanford, 2b
Khan, a junior lefty, has set a program record with 19 home runs this season. This is quite an achievement for a school like Stanford, which has made eight Super Regionals in the last two decades. She’s also second in the ACC with a .809 slugging percentage, contributing to the Cardinal’s impressive .357 team batting average, which ranks second nationally.
7. Cat Rodriguez, North Carolina, 2b
The fifth-year infielder has scored 83 runs this season, a new single-season program record that ties the ACC record. Rodriguez’s offensive prowess has propelled the Tar Heels to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2019. She also ranks third in the ACC with 77 hits and has a .453 batting average.
6. Michaela Edenfield, Florida, c.
The redshirt senior is a key player behind the plate for the Seminoles. Not only does she expertly handle the pitching staff, but her .2.23 ERA is among the best in the nation. Edenfield, who stands 6-foot-1, has contributed significantly to the lineup with 52 career home runs, including a personal best of 13 doubles this season.
5. Karlyn Pickens, Tennessee, RHP
Hailing from Weaverville, North Carolina, Pickens has made history as the seventh player in SEC history to win multiple Pitcher of the Year awards. She has a 20-8 record and is noted for her remarkable 0.92 ERA, ranking 10th nationally in strikeouts per seven innings at 9.3. Pickens played a crucial role in leading her team to a strong tournament outcome.
4. Maya Johnson, Belmont, LHP
This redshirt junior has been a powerful force, helping the Bruins secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament. She ranks fifth in the nation with a 1.24 ERA and stands out with impressive stats, including 11 shutouts and an extraordinary strikeout-to-walk ratio of 18.68. It’s hard to overlook her impact among pitchers this season.
3. Geordy Barr, Nebraska, RHP/UTL
Bahl has for the first time ever earned the title of both Big Ten Player and Pitcher of the Year in the same season. She’s in the top 10 nationally for both her ERA (1.57) and batting average (.458), alongside 19 home runs and a significant number of hits. From the circle, she’s also among national leaders in performance metrics.
2. Nijaree Canady, Texas Institute of Technology, RHP
Recently named National Player of the Year, Canady transferred from Stanford to Texas Tech, where she’s excelled with a 26-5 record and a stellar 0.81 ERA. With her leadership, the Red Raiders achieved their first-ever regional hosting bid for the NCAA Tournament, dominating their opponents in the Big 12 Tournament. Canady has also made significant contributions at the plate with a .309 average and 30 RBIs.
1. Bri Ellis, Arkansas, 1b
Ellis is arguably one of the best hitters in college softball. Her impressive stats this season draw comparisons to Barry Bonds’ MVP season, being the active leader in career home runs in Division I with 74. She’s been recognized as the SEC Player of the Year and is a strong contender for the National Player of the Year Award. With 26 home runs, a .475 batting average, and 72 RBIs, opposing pitchers are likely to try to avoid her at all costs.
