Early Eight for 2025 Women's College World Series

The 2024 Women’s College World Series just wrapped up but it’s never too early to look into the future. Although the transfer portal always keeps us on our toes, we’ll give our best guess as to what the field in Oklahoma City might look like in 2025.

Texas (55-10, Lost in WCWS Champ Series)

The Longhorns bring back most of its roster. Teagan Kavan appears poised to take another step into her stardom as a sophomore. Mac Morgan and Citlaly Gutierrez have eligibility left and Texas brings in Softball America’s fifth-rated pitcher of the 2024 class Cambria Salmon.

Most of the nucleus of the lineup; Reese Atwood, Mia Scott, Vivi Martinez, Katie Stewart and Ashton Maloney is slated to return. Leighann Goode should slot back into second base for the Longhorns next season. Victoria Hunter is trending to have a bigger role in her second year.

Oklahoma (59-7, Won National Championship)

The Sooners graduate a lot, like a lot, a lot. However, there are plenty of returners that can make a difference. The bats of Ella Parker and Kasidi Pickering have shown star power through their freshman seasons. Cydney Sanders will be back for her senior year. Talented redshirt sophomore class of Avery Hodge, Hannah Coor and Quincee Lilio could fill larger roles. Nelly McEnroe-Marinas could factor into the equation too. Talent incoming freshman Corri Hicks and Tia Milloy can make their mark early.

The pitching is more of a question mark. Kierston Deal seems primed to jump into the ace role but that is still a big step for her. We simply have not seen a ton from SJ Geurin or Paytn Monticelli in Sooner uniforms. Oklahoma has Audrey Lowry coming in as Softball America’s third-best pitcher but Oklahoma will likely use the portal to add another arm.

Florida (54-15, Lost in WCWS semifinals)

The Gators bring back nearly their entire roster. Florida does graduate Skylar Wallace, which is a huge loss. Jocelyn Erickson, Korbe Otis, Reagan Walsh and Kendra Falby are one solid core to build around. Ava Brown, Ariel Kowalewski and Mia Williams have plenty of experience after their freshman seasons. Highly touted recruits Gabi Comia and Townsen Thomas could fill the voids left by Wallace and Katie Kistler. 

Keagan Rothrock proved she can and will carry the pitching load. However, she’ll need more help from the bullpen. Brown and incoming freshman Katelynn Oxley will play a big part in that.

Stanford (50-17, Lost in WCWS semifinals)

If there’s a NiJaree Canady, there’s a way to Oklahoma City. As long as Canady dons the Cardinal, Stanford will always be a Women’s College World Series contender. Stanford needs another arm they trust in the postseason as Canady can’t shoulder every pitch. We’ll see if Alyssa Houston can turn her freshman flashes into a consistent role or how incoming recruit Zoe Prystajko does.

The Cardinal offense will have to find more production but that can naturally be better with sophomore leaps from Ava Gall and Jade Berry. Taryn Kern also showed more of what her ceiling was in the second half of the season.

CHECK OUT THE 2024 RECRUITING RANKINGS

UCLA (43-12, Lost in WCWS quarterfinals)

The Bruins have a legitimate shot at having the best pitching rotation in the country next season. Taylor Tinsley and Kaitlyn Terry showed legitimate growth throughout the 2024 season to be a pair of aces. UCLA also adds Softball America’s top-ranked pitcher of the 2024 class Addisen Fisher.

What will the offense look like without Maya Brady and Sharlize Palacios? That’s the biggest question. However, Jordan Woolery and Megan Grant have been stellar in their first two seasons in Westwood. Alexis Ramirez had a great start to the season before it was cut short by injury. Addison Mettler and Mia McNulty could step into open roles in the lineup after their freshman seasons.

Oklahoma State (49-12, Reached the WCWS)

It was a disappointing exit for the Cowgirls this season but also worth noting that three of the four semifinalists came from their side of the bracket. One team had to go 0-2. Oklahoma State has a youthful core of hitters unlike last season, including Karli Godwin, Tallen Edwards, Rosie Davis, Claire Timm and Micaela Wark. Plus hitting coach Vanessa Shippy-Fletcher will have a real offseason after stepping into the position in December.

Oklahoma State needed a pitcher after the Cowgirls graduated both Lexi Kilfoyl and Ivy Rosenberry. Kenny Gajewski already worked the portal to land Washington ace Ruby Meylan to pair her with Kyra Aycock and Katie Kutz.

Florida State (46-16, Lost in Super Regionals) 

The Seminoles struggled to pitch consistently at a high level this past season. Knowing Lonni Alameda that won’t happen again. Makenna Reid has shown enough in her career to have full belief in her. Ashtyn Danley had her moments with her devasting changeup and Florida State also added incoming freshman Jasmine Francik. It wouldn’t be shocking to see Alameda find another arm through the portal.

Florida State graduates a good amount of its offensive production. However, Jaysoni Beachum and Isa Torres have already proven that they are stars after their freshman years. Kennedy Harp has potential in the outfield too. The Seminoles’ leader Michaela Edenfield behind the plate and her great bat.

Texas A&M (44-15, Lost in Super Regionals) 

The Aggies showed an incredible fight against Texas in the Austin Super Regional. Texas A&M will have to build around Emiley Kennedy in the circle. The lanky lefty will obviously be the leader in the circle. Texas A&M has four pitcher recruits; Taylor Brown, Della Jasinski, Sydney Lessentine and Kate Munnerlyn coming in.

Texas A&M has a core of bats returning with Koko Wooley, Amari Harper, Kennedy Powell, Allie Enright and Kramer Eschete. The Aggies will need to replace the power numbers from the graduated Trinity Cannon, Jazmine Hill and Julia Cottrill but Trisha Ford has already made a splash in the transfer portal with the addition of San Diego State slugger Mac Barbara.