The 2025 college softball season is underway, and as schools begin the road to Oklahoma City, some teams are aiming to break prolonged Women's College World Series droughts. Here are six programs with the potential to make a breakthrough this year:
Nebraska Cornhuskers
Last WCWS appearance: 2013
For Nebraska softball, the past decade has been a story of determination, near-misses and rebuilding. The Huskers last reached the WCWS in 2013, suffering a heartbreaking 15-inning elimination game loss to Florida in one of the longest contests in WCWS history. The 2025 season could finally be the year Nebraska returns to Oklahoma City.
What is the biggest reason Nebraska is a serious contender in 2025? Jordy Bahl is back. The former Oklahoma ace, where she was a two-time national champion and the 2023 WCWS Most Outstanding Player, transferred home ahead of the 2024 season but was sidelined for the rest of the year with an ACL injury suffered in her Cornhuskers debut. Bahl has already made her presence felt now that she's fully healthy again She led Nebraska to a 7-1 upset win over No. 6 Tennessee on opening weekend, as the Huskers went 3-2 in the NFCA Leadoff Classic.
Nebraska also strategically built depth in the offseason, adding key transfers like Kylee Magee (Arizona State) and Hannah Camenzind (Arkansas) to the pitching staff. At the top of the lineup, shortstop Ava Kuszak (Wisconsin transfer) has been a revelation, slashing .467 with two home runs and six RBIs through the first five games, while settling into her new role as Nebraska’s leadoff hitter. Meanwhile, Emmerson Cope could be Nebraska’s X-factor — she hit .444 with a home run while tossing five scoreless innings over the opening weekend, proving she can contribute on both sides of the ball. If this core continues to deliver, the Huskers will be a dangerous postseason team.
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Texas Tech Red Raiders
Last WCWS appearance: Never
Texas Tech has never been to the Women’s College World Series — but that could change in 2025. After missing the NCAA tournament last season, the Red Raiders brought in a new head coach and the No. 1 transfer class in the country — headlined by the addition of reigning National Player of the Year NiJaree Canady.
Along with the departure of coach Craig Snider, 21 players either graduated or entered the transfer portal, leaving Texas Tech with just three returners from the 2024 squad. But new head coach Gerry Glasco has flipped the roster into a title contender. The Red Raiders opened 5-1 at the NFCA Leadoff Classic, notching a walk-off win over Nebraska and climbing into the top 10 of multiple national polls.
The biggest move? Landing Canady. The former Stanford ace brings a 41-10 career record with a 0.67 ERA and 555 strikeouts and was the top arm in back-to-back WCWS appearances for the Cardinal. Glasco also brought five of his former Louisiana players with him, added Washington’s Alana Johnson, and retained a few key pieces like outfielder Logan Halleman and infielder Raegan Jennings.
Canady has been as dominant so far, with a 0.68 ERA, 40 strikeouts in 20.2 innings, and a three-run homer against Nebraska to spark a comeback. Chloe Riassetto (2.10 ERA) and freshman Samantha Lincoln round out the rotation.
While the roster is loaded with talent, it's a brand-new one. Their extra-inning loss to Mississippi State showed that their offense still needs more consistency (they managed just three hits in that game). And while the Red Raiders have elite pitching, Canady’s workload could be a major storyline as it’ll likely be heavy.
Missouri Tigers
Last WCWS appearance: 2011
Missouri has been knocking on the door of the WCWS for years but hasn’t been able to make the push since their last trip back in 2011. Last season, , pushing Duke to extra innings in super regionals before falling short, 4-3. The loss extended their WCWS drought to 13 years, despite six super regional appearances during that time.
The Tigers opened this season ranked No. 15 in the country, proving that expectations remain high in Columbia. Their 4-2 start at the NFCA Leadoff Classic, which included wins over Duke and Northwestern, shows they have the talent to hang with top teams.
Missouri’s offense has been led by Kara Daly (.353, 6 RBIs), Julia Crenshaw (.368, 4 RBIs), and Stefania Abruscato (.368, 4 RBIs), providing power in the lineup. Madison Walker has also been a key contributor, blasting two home runs in the first six games. With a team batting average of .274, Missouri isn’t the most explosive offensive team, but they’ve shown the ability to put up big innings—like their nine-run sixth against Duke that turned a two-run deficit into a win.
Pitching-wise, Missouri is anchored around junior Cierra Harrison (2.19 ERA, 8 K in 16 IP) and sophomore Marissa McCann (1.11 ERA in 12.2 IP), who have already been reliable. Last season, pitching depth became an issue in the postseason, specifically in their Super Regional loss to Duke when Laurin Krings pitched three straight days.
Missouri has all the ingredients to be a serious WCWS contender: a deep lineup, multiple arms and postseason experience.
Baylor Bears
Last WCWS appearance: 2017
Baylor has a rich softball history, with four WCWS appearances (most recently in 2017). The team came incredibly close to returning last season when the Bears pushed No. 4 Florida to the brink in super regionals despite injuries.
Baylor opened this season 3-2 at the Aggie Classic, picking up wins over Abilene Christian (10-2), Purdue (6-1), and Villanova (8-2) while losing a six-run lead to No. 7 Texas A&M and dropping a game to Utah State. The offense has been solid (.341 team batting average), but the pitching staff is still finding its rhythm (3.39 ERA).
Head coach Glenn Moore is in his 25th season at Baylor and has some young talent to work with. Shaylon Govan, a preseason All-American, led the nation in on-base percentage (.579) last season while hitting .444 with 11 home runs. She’s joined by Turiya Coleman, a Houston transfer who led her previous team in batting average and OBP. Coleman is off to a hot start (.583, 6 RBIs in five games), and her teammate Brooklyn Carter (.500, seven runs, first career home run) adds speed and power.
The Bears get a massive boost with Dariana Orme back from injury. The former USA Softball Top 50 Player of the Year candidate missed nearly all of 2024, but when healthy, she’s an ace. Duke transfer Lillie Walker also adds depth after pitching in the WCWS last year.
If the pitching staff stabilizes behind Orme and Walker, the Bears have all the pieces to make a big postseason run.
Virginia Tech Hokies
Last WCWS appearance: 2008
The Hokies outscored opponents 50-0 in their first five games in the Charleston Invitational to kick off 2025, winning every game by run-rule while posting a nation-best 0.00 ERA. Their pitching has been un-hittable, and their offense is clicking early.
Senior Emma Lemley is the story so far. She threw a perfect game in a 10-0 win over the College of Charleston, becoming just the sixth Hokies pitcher ever with multiple career no-hitters. Across 11 shutout innings, she’s allowed just one hit, two walks, and has 22 strikeouts. That earned her ACC Pitcher of the Week honors and reassured why she’s on the 2025 USA Softball Top 50 Player of the Year Watchlist.
She’s not alone. The entire Hokies staff, including Cassie Grizzard, Sophie Kleiman, and Emma Mazzarone, is holding opponents to a .071 batting average. Virginia Tech has been just as impressive at the plate, hitting .432 as a team. Seven players are batting .400 or better, led by Michelle Chatfield (.588, 10 hits, four RBIs) Jordan Lynch (.571, four doubles, four RBIs) Bre Peck (.353, two HRs, 12 RBIs).
Fordham, Charleston and North Dakota State, Virginia Tech’s first three opponents, had a combined record of 52-105-1 in 2024. The real test comes at the Purple & Gold Challenge Feb. 14-16, where the Hokies face Northwestern and LSU.
Virginia Tech hasn’t been to the WCWS since 2008 — its lone appearance — but back-to-back super regional trips in 2022 and 2023 show the program is close.
Kentucky Wildcats
Last WCWS appearance: 2014
Kentucky rolled through the NFCA Leadoff Classic before No. 8 Duke spoiled their perfect weekend. Despite the setback, the Wildcats were crowned tournament champs.
Head coach Rachel Lawson reached 600 career wins at Kentucky. Before she arrived in 2008, UK had never made the NCAA tournament — now, the Wildcats have made 15 straight appearances, including eight super regional appearances and one WCWS trip in 2014 under Lawson.
Offensively, this year's Wildcats are hitting .421 as a team so far, led by Allie Blum (.600, nine hits, six RBIs, two stolen bases), Peyton Plotts (.563, four doubles, 10 RBIs), and Ally Hutchins (.444, eight hits, seven RBIs,).
Kentucky's pitching staff has held opponents to a .195 batting average through five games, with Julie Kelley (1-0, 0.00 ERA) and Sarah Haendiges (1-0, 0.00 ERA) each tossing five scoreless innings. Alexia Lacatena (1-1, 0.96 ERA) has taken on the biggest workload so far, throwing 9.1 innings with five strikeouts. While the staff has shown spurts of dominance, the defense will have to tighten up and limit free bases.
This offense is dangerous, and if the pitching holds up, UK could be a darkhorse in the crowded SEC.
