No. 5 Florida State
The Seminoles are poised to make a deep run this season which is easy to understand considering they have one of the best pitchers and best power hitters in the country. They won 55 games in 2014 and return 12 players from that squad. Leading the way is the 2014 USA Softball Player of the Year senior pitcher Lacey Waldrop. Last season she posted a 38-7 record with a 1.13 ERA and 287 strikeouts. Not only does Waldrop return they also get back sophomore Jessica Burroughs who went 17-1 with a 2.08 ERA and 125 strikeouts. To say pitching will be one of their strengths is an understatement. At the plate senior short stop Maddie O’Brien will lead the way. Last season the All-American and ACC Player of the Year set school records for home runs (24), RBI (83), walks (56) and slugging (.942). She was second best in single season batting average (.424) as well. They lose several of their other top hitters and will need to replace them, but with a strong incoming class and a lot of talent returning they should be just fine. They will open the season at the Renegade Classic on February 7, 2015 against Georgia Southern and then face two back-to-back games against No. 6 Kentucky. Full Schedule: http://www.seminoles.com/SportSelect.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=32900&SPID=157119&SPSID=917059
No. 4 Oklahoma
The Sooners have what may be the best senior class in the country. That group includes Lauren Chamberlain, Shelby Pendley, Georgia Casey, Callie Parsons and Jessica Vest. Since this group stepped onto campus the Sooners are 162-27, won three Big 12 titles, made three trips to the WCWS and have won one NCAA championship. Considered by many the most feared hitter in college softball for good reason, Chamberlain will be back at 100 percent in 2015. She missed time last season with a knee injury and was never at full strength. Despite that she still but up great numbers batting .358 with 12 home runs and 27 RBI in just 95 at bats. Chamberlain is a career .394 hitter with 72 home runs and 189 RBI. She also has an amazing .950 (SLG) for her career. Pendley had a strong season last year hitting .430 with 19 home runs. This group can hit and teams will be hard pressed to keep runs off the board. On the mound they will be led by junior Kelsey Stevens who had a breakout season in 2014. Last year she was 38-9 with a 2.44 ERA and 285 strikeouts. With everyone healthy this is a very scary line-up. They will start their season at the Oceanic Time Warner Cable Paradise Classic on February 5, 2015 against No. 25 DePaul. Full Schedule: http://www.soonersports.com/SportSelect.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=31000&SPID=127251&SPSID=750355
No. 3 Alabama
Alabama has won 50 or more games eight of the past nine seasons after a 53-13 record in 2014. They captured the regular season SEC title and finished second at the WCWS. In 2015 they will return 12 players from last year’s team. They also return three of their top five hitters from last season. In 2014 junior outfielder Haylie McCleney led the Crimson Tide with a .444 average. She also hit 10 home runs and scored 70 runs with a .556 OBP. Senior Jadyn Spencer led the Tide in home runs last season with 13 and junior Kallie Case belted 12 of her own. From an offensive standpoint they are sitting in pretty good shape. On the mound they will need to replace four-time All-American Jaclyn Traina. The good news is her replacement sophomore Sydney Littlejohn went 11-2 with a 1.49 ERA and 64 strikeouts last season. Also returning is senior Leslie Jury who won 16 games with a 2.81 ERA and 96 strikeouts. Also expect to see high school standout freshman Alexis Osorio in the mix for innings. All three have different styles which gives coach Murphy a lot of different options. They will open the season against No. 23 South Alabama on February 5, 2015. Full Schedule: http://www.rolltide.com/sports/w-softbl/sched/alab-w-softbl-sched.html
No. 2 Oregon
The 56 wins by the 2014 Ducks was the most in school history and they will look to beat that record in 2015. At one point last season they had earned a No. 1 ranking, which was also a first for Oregon. They do lose their best hitter in Courtney Ceo but they have some great ones returning. The strength of the team will be their pitching staff led by All-American and Pac-12 pitcher of the year junior Cheridan Hawkins. Last season she posted a 1.66 ERA and her 330 strikeouts were a school record. They also return senior Karissa Hovinga who was 17-2 with a 1.80 ERA. Junior catcher Janelle Lindvall tied for the team lead in home runs (13) last season while posting a .344 BA and 52 RBI. Also back is two-time All-American senior outfielder Janie Takeda. Takeda batted .388 with 20 stolen bases last year. Last season eight players batted over .300 for the ducks and six of those players are back. This team has all the pieces in place to make a run at a national title, two strong pitchers, power at the plate and speed on the basis. Couple that with strong defense and this team should make noise. The Ducks open the season against Cal Poly February 6, 2015 at the Kajikawa Classic. Full Schedule: http://www.goducks.com/SportSelect.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=500&SPID=245&SPSID=4374
No. 1 Florida
The defending national champions hold the top spot in the preseason poll and for good reason. The Gators return 14 players from last year’s team and add six talented freshman. Although they lose All-American pitcher Hannah Rogers they are in good hands with senior Lauren Haeger and sophomore Delanie Gourley. Last season Haeger was 10-3 with a 1.79 ERA and Gourley was 15-1 with a 2.67 ERA. It should also be noted that Haeger is also a major factor at the plate. She is coming of a season that saw her bat .317 with 20 home runs and 65 RBI. Sophomore second baseman Kelsey Stewart led the Gators in batting average (.438) last season and stole 36 bases. Another key player on the offensive side of things will be senior outfielder Briana Little who ranked third on the team in hitting (.320) and on-base percentage (.477). The Gators and Ducks share a lot of similarities, they both have solid pitching and good hitters. The slight edge at the plate goes to the Ducks, but the Gators have a lot of speed on the bases. Florida will get tested early as the will face No. 8 Michigan in their second game of the season on February 6, 2015 at the USF Softball Classic. Full Schedule: http://www.gatorzone.com/schedule.php?sport=softb
