Entering the 2022 NCAA softball zone, Oklahoma tops the nation in batting averages (0.367), runs per game (9.26) and ERA (0.81). With a score of 49-2, No. 1 seed Sooners seems ready to defend the title of Women’s World University.
But there are 63 other teams that want to prevent that from happening.
There’s Florida State, second seed, which lost to the Sooners in three games at last year’s WCWS. There’s third-seeded Virginia Tech, hosting the first NCAA region in program history. There’s the seventh seed Oklahoma State, which beat Oklahoma in the Big 12 championship match on Saturday.
Will there be a James Madison in this year’s tournament? Are there any untested teams that have what it takes to shake up the college softball world? Are any seed teams more vulnerable than their seeding suggests?
Our analysts break down the NCAA softball league field leading up to the zones on Friday, which will broadcast across the entire ESPN network.
Which team’s seeding surprised you the most?
Amanda Scarborough: One thing that surprised me was that Missouri took the 15th seed – not because the Tigers didn’t deserve it, but because of the way they turned the season around at the end of March. Surname earn seed that last six weeks by winning more SEC games and advancing to the SEC tournament finals. In mid-March, a seed didn’t seem likely for them.
Jenny Dalton-Hill: Once again, the Pac-12 appeared to be downsized as Arizona State received an 8th seed after winning the Pac-12’s auto qualifier without a conference tournament. That tournament will start next season, but I think winning the Pac-12 was a big deal and the Sun Devils didn’t get the reward they deserved with a high enough seed. Knowing that they have beaten UCLA two out of three times and ended the association 20-4, the 8th seed is a bit too low.
Kayla Braud: The seed that surprised me the most was Missouri sneaking into the 15th seed. After a 0-5 lead in the association, the Tigers had to play extremely well in the late half to take the lead. I didn’t expect them to be the national seed a few weeks ago.
Madison Shipman: Missouri’s seeding has surprised me in a good way. If you told me in the middle of the SEC game that Missouri would be the national seed, I wouldn’t believe you. The Tigers have turned a corner for half a season, and I love that they’ve been rewarded for how well their team is doing heading into the post-season.
Which seed team has the toughest route to Oklahoma City?
Scarborough: I think Washington has the toughest road to OKC. The Huskies have to get past a Texas team that could easily be seeded, and then if they win their region and Arkansas win, they face the SEC champion in Fayetteville. Arkansas has KB Sides SEC Player of the Year and SEC Player of the Year, Chenise Delce, plus SEC Player of the Year (Mary Haff) and three other players who already have legal cases for Player of the Year. of the SEC. five.
Dalton-Hill: I think it goes without saying that UCF will have Goliath take over Oklahoma if it goes to supers. I love that UCF is hosting it for the first time in the school’s history, but the next round will be a tall order for the talented team.
Braud: The seeded team with the hardest run is Arkansas. Not only do the Razorbacks have a tough area that includes a good Pac-12 team in Oregon, but they also host one of the deadliest criminals in the nation, Wichita State, home of Addison Barnard, the national lead. with 32 home visits. . That was before they progressed to the Super League, where they were likely to match Washington, who have beaten them twice this season.
Carrier: UCF has a tough road to OKC. Any team capable of playing Oklahoma will have to go all out to figure out how to take out the Sooners. However, UCF will be entering its area with a lot of energy eager to make some noise as the national seed for the first time in show history. The Knights will face some tough teams in their region, including Michigan, which beat them earlier this season.
Which untested team could be this year’s James Madison?
Scarborough: Nebraska. The Big Ten, as a conference, took a step forward this season, and Nebraska played with a resurgent energy. Husker has a great coaching staff, and Billie Andrews, who is having a breakout season. They seem to be a good team at the right time and really playing together and for each other.
Dalton-Hill: Liberty is a team that has challenged itself throughout the season. The Lady Flames kick off the new year with some of the toughest opponents coming out of the gate and taking them down. Those losses will come in handy when they go up against Duke in their region, who beat them in the regular season. And if they do advance, can Dot Richardson beat her alma mater UCLA? While I’d love to see a Cinderella team this year and I think postseason will have some similarities, I think most of the usual suspects will find themselves in OKC.
Braud: One team that hasn’t yet had a chance to make it to OKC is San Diego State in an attempt to get them there. Maggie Balint leads the Aztecs with 18 wins for the season and a 1.50 ERA.
Carrier: I will also keep an eye on the State of San Diego. Maggie Balint has been a standout in the circle this season. I firmly believe that if you have an outstanding pitch, you have a good chance of running away in the post-season.
Who are the 8 teams that will attend WCWS?
Scarborough: Oklahoma, Florida State, Virginia Technology, Tennessee, Arizona State, Oklahoma State, Arkansas and Duke.
Dalton-Hill: Oklahoma, ASU, UCLA, Arkansas, Florida, Alabama, Oklahoma State and FSU.
Braud: I’m calling the games, so I don’t want to pick who I think will go, but I think this could be the most balanced field of play this year spread between the games. I wouldn’t be surprised if two teams from each of the SEC, Pac-12, ACC and Big 12 participate.
