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1 X-Factor player for each Women's College World Series team

Screenshot 2024-07-31 at 7.46.34 PMby: Brady Vernon05/27/25BradyVernon
Screenshot 2025-05-26 at 5.38.01 PM
Crash Kamon/Softball America

What players could leave a legacy in Oklahoma City? For every Odicci Alexander, a team has a Sara Jubas. We look at various role players among all eight Women’s College World Series teams that can play a major part in how far they make it in the tournament.

Florida: RHP/UTL Ava Brown

The 2024 All-SEC Second Team honoree got out to a bit of a slow start this season at the plate. Although since April 26, she’s hit seven of the 11 home runs this season. Her average is higher than it was last season. Brown hasn’t pitched much this postseason but she can be of help to the Gators.

Oklahoma: LHP Kierston Deal

It’s hard to imagine that Sam Landry throws every pitch for the Sooners, but it could happen. However, for Oklahoma to net its fifth straight national championship, they’re going to need another arm to carry at least a few innings. Deal has had up and down moments this season, but she doesn’t need to throw a ton to make a difference for the Sooners.

Ole Miss: INF Makenzie Pickens

Aliyah Binford, Lexie Brady and Persy Llamas are Ole Miss’ primary power hitters. However, Pickens rounds the group together as she typically follows them in the order. The freshman infielder has 18 extra-base hits and 37 RBI this season. She’s had a solid postseason and delievered when its mattered.

Oregon: RHP Elise Sokolsky

Sokolsky has had to take on a bigger role down the stretch as Lyndsey Grein has worked through a few hiccups. Nevertheless, Sokolsky is a proven talent in both the Pac-12 and Big Ten over the past two seasons. She has five saves this season, and it wouldn’t be shocking to see her multiple times during Oregon’s time in Oklahoma City.

Tennessee: INF Ella Dodge

The redshirt freshman hit a pair of home runs against Jordy Bahl to help push Tennessee to the Women’s College World Series. She also had a massive home run in the rubber match against Oklahoma in the regular season, the team the Lady Vols play on Thursday. Dodge has also played solid defense for at second base.

Texas: INF Leighann Goode

The Longhorns moved Goode back to shortstop for the second game of the Austin Super Regional and it helped stabilize the defense the rest of the weekend. Goode, who struggled all of April and early May, has a hit in every postseason game, including more power numbers. It makes the Texas offense even better.

Texas Tech: OF Alana Johnson

Johnson has one of the most powerful bats in the Texas Tech lineup. She led the Pac-12 in home runs at various points last season while she was at Washington. The Red Raiders don’t hit a ton of long balls, but when they do, good things happen. Texas Tech is 18-3 when they hit a home run, including the first game against Florida State when Johnson homered.

UCLA: OF Rylee Slimp

The UCLA coaching staff enlisted Slimp with the tough task of protecting Jordan Woolery and Megan Grant in the Super Regional. Opposing teams have walked Woolery and Grant a lot this season when they can, but that puts more pressure on Slimp to deliver. The freshman outfielder doesn’t have a lot of pop, but her .391 average is the third highest on the team. And if Woolery and Grant are both walked, a hit generally will bring in a run.

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