Softball America Composite Analytics: Women's College World Series

And just like that, we are down to eight. After one of the best Super Regionals in recent memory, the 2025 Women’s College World Series is set. Perhaps the most interesting part of the breakdown is that we have three matchups of teams that played each other in a three-game series in the regular season, and two first-time participants against each other.

Who is the favorite? Which team has the best matchup? Who surprises and who disappoints? Follow us as we break down each matchup.

Florida vs Texas

Offensive Analytics

Pitching Analytics

Projected Pitching Matchup

It would be a surprise if we got anything other than Keagan Rothrock vs Teagan Kavan. Both pitchers have had moments of brilliance throughout the season and head-scratching performances. However, both pitchers performed well when their teams needed them the most on the brink of elimination. With both pitchers giving up home runs at a fairly regular rate, whichever can keep the big bats from the opposing team in the ballpark could emerge victorious.

Hitting Matchup to Watch

Reese Atwood vs Jocelyn Erickson. These are the two premier catchers in the game, and both are excellent defensively. Atwood has the advantage in the regular season, but will that hold up through the Women’s College World Series?

Prediction

Texas. The Longhorns dominated the first two games of the regular season, scoring 20 combined runs. Both teams will be desperate to stay out of the loser’s bracket in what seems to be the more difficult side of the field. Both of these teams are so even, I could see it going either way, but the mental edge of Texas winning two of three in the regular season, not to mention how dominant the Longhorns were over the Gators here last year, gives Texas the edge.

Oklahoma vs Tennessee

Offensive Analytics

Pitching Analytics

Projected Pitching Matchup

Sam Landry has been a bulldog for the Sooners in the postseason, giving up just two earned runs and holding a 0.82 ERA. However, two of her four losses on the season came against Tennessee in the regular season, where she had a 4.67 ERA in two games. On the other side, the matchup of the World Series will be Karlyn Pickens against the Sooners hitting. The unstoppable force of the Oklahoma bats, who have hit 115 home runs against Pickens, who has only surrendered six home runs, will be the key.

Hitting Matchup to Watch

Kasidi Pickering vs Sophia Nugent. Nugent hit a game-winning home run off of Sam Landry to win game one of the series in Norman earlier this season. Comparatively, Pickering hit a bases-clearing double that plated three runs against Karlyn Pickens in game three. These two ladies will have a lot to say on who wins this matchup.

Prediction

Oklahoma. Karlyn Pickens is the most physically imposing pitcher in the country. However, Oklahoma is playing its best softball of the season right now. They have outscored their opponents 47-5 in the postseason, with four of the five games being run rules. Pickens can certainly lead the Lady Volunteers to victory, but beating Oklahoma three times in the same season will be too tall an ask.

Ole Miss vs Texas Tech

Offensive Analytics

Pitching Analytics

Projected Pitching Matchup

Ole Miss could easily go with Aliyah Binford or Miali Guachino, but we will project Lopez to get the start. The Red Raiders have not been elite offensively this season consistently, so look for the Rebels to throw different options at Texas Tech. After giving up a few runs against Mississippi State, Canady was electric against the big bats of Florida State. She allowed just one run over 14 innings against the Seminoles.

Hitting Matchup to Watch

Lexie Brady vs Mihyia Davis. The stark differences between these two are what make this matchup so interesting. Brady is the biggest power hitter in the Rebels’ lineup with 17 home runs and could make things interesting if she can barrel Canady up. Meanwhile, Davis has been the table setter for the Red Raiders all season, and if she gets on, she will wreak havoc on the basepaths.

Prediction

Texas Tech. The Rebels, being the only unseeded team to make it to the Women’s College Series is a great story for the trajectory of the program. However, solving NiJaree Canady is a herculean task. One that Florida State had very limited success with. The Red Raiders roll in this one.

Oregon vs UCLA

Offensive Analytics

Pitching Analytics

Projected Pitching Matchup

Again, it’s possible that there could be an entirely different pitching matchup here. And, we will likely see both Elise Sokolsky for Oregon and Taylor Tinsley for UCLA. However, Grein and Terry get the nod here. We have a couple of pitchers here that have been outright dominant at times and other times have been very hittable. Which version of each will we see in the final game of the opening round of the Women’s College World Series?

Hitting Matchup to Watch

Rylee McCoy vs Jordan Woolery. We could have easily placed Dezianna Patmon here for Oregon and Megan Grant for UCLA. However, McCoy and Woolery figure to have a big impact here. Woolery was one of the best players in the country this season with 23 home runs and 86 RBIs. Conversely, McCoy was one of the better freshmen this year and led the Ducks with 19 home runs.

Prediction

UCLA. Oregon took two out of three in Eugene this season, with Oregon winning a close game and then each team trading run rules. Both teams are very far from home here in Oklahoma City. Oregon played very well in the Super Regionals against Liberty. However, something should be said for a team fighting off elimination in their last out to come back to win the series. The experience of UCLA proves to be the difference in a one-run game.