With the 2025 college softball season just days away, here are 10 players Michella Chester wants you to keep your eye on this year.
1. NiJaree Canady, Texas Tech (Previously at Stanford)
One of the biggest stars in college softball, Canady, took her talents to Lubbock, Texas. Last season, she led the country with a 0.73 ERA, 337 strikeouts and led Stanford to the Women's College World Series semifinals
2. Reese Atwood, Texas
2024 Softball America Player of the Year Atwood will be back in action after setting a new single-season home run record for the Longhorns with 23. Atwood also led the NCAA with 90 RBI.
3. Karlyn Pickens, Tennessee
2024 SEC Pitcher of the Year Pickens finished with a 22-7 record and a 1.12 ERA last season. She also had with 225 strikeouts.
4. Jocelyn Erickson, Florida
With a conference-high 86 RBI, Jocelyn Erickson earned SEC Player of the Year honors and helped lead the Gators to a conference championship. Erickson totaled 15 home runs with a .382 batting average for the season.
5. Jordy Bahl, Nebraska
Bahl is set to make her return after missing almost all of last season with an injury. Before that, Bahl was named the Most Outstanding Player of the 2023 Women’s College World Series with Oklahoma.
6. Jaysoni Beachum, Florida State
Beachum will look to build off of a monster freshman season with the Seminoles after hitting over .400 with 16 home runs and 66 RBI.
7. Emiley Kennedy, Texas A&M
Kennedy will be back in the circle for the Aggies after getting 200 strikeouts last season in 202.2 innings pitched. Kennedy went 24-11 with a 1.93 ERA.
8. Ella Parker, Oklahoma
Coming off of a freshman season with a team-high .415 batting average, Ella Parker will undoubtedly be a standout for the Sooners this year. She additionally tallied 13 home runs and 60 RBI.
9. Sydney Berzon, LSU
Berzon went 20-9 with 204 innings pitched while recording a 1.78 ERA last season.
10. Jenna Golembiewski, Miami (Ohio)
And last but not least, Jenna Golembiewski returns after leading the MAC with 78 RBI, in addition to a .394 batting average and 28 home runs in her junior season.
