The stage is set for the 2024 NCAA softball tournament. Overall No. 1 seed Texas looks to ruin No. 2 seed Oklahoma's chances of making history and repeating as champion four times. No. 3 seed Tennessee and No. 4 Florida will also use their star power in the quest to win the Women's College World Series.
The first classified are not the only teams with loaded squads. This 64-team tournament is packed with talent, from Miami (Ohio)'s big hitters to Stanford's top-tier ace.
As teams begin their quest to get to Oklahoma City, let's look at 10 of the most exciting players in this year's tournament.
Reese Atwood, C/1B, Texas
Atwood was the most dominant player for the top-seeded Longhorns. She was excellent in the batter's box, with a team-best 70 hits with a .427 average. The sophomore wrote her name in Texas history, breaking program records for home runs (22) and RBIs (86). Atwood was named Big 12 Player of the Year, the first Longhorn to receive that honor since Taylor Thom in 2014, after leading the conference in home runs, RBI and slugging percentage (.917).
Jaysoni Beachum, IF, Florida State
Beachum burst onto the scene as one of the most dominant freshmen this season. She is one of the strongest hitters on the FSU roster, with 15 home runs and a .773 slugging percentage. The unanimous ACC Freshman of the Year also hit an ACC-best .436 with 75 hits. Beachum took a big step forward for the Seminoles at third base, posting a .968 fielding percentage. Although she lacks tournament experience, having 57 game starts for a storied program like FSU as a first-year player will certainly be an advantage for her.
Maya Brady, SS, UCLA
The last name says it all. Like her uncle Tom Brady, former NFL star, Maya is one of the best to do it. The two-time Pac-12 Player of the Year started in 47 games this year at shortstop, posting a .919 fielding percentage. He led the Bruins in batting average (.403), hits (58), home runs (15) and RBI (61). After hitting his 67th career home run on the final drive of the season, he moved into second place in UCLA history.
Nijaree Canady, P, Stanford
Canady starred in last year's WCWS and looks like he can do it again in 2024. For the second straight season, Canady owns the best ERA in the country, posting a 0.50 mark in over 168 innings pitched. The toughness of his riseball is demonstrated by his 256 strikeouts and .133 batting average. The Pac-12 Pitcher of the Year also improved her impact in the batter's box with two home runs during the regular season.
Claire Davidson, OF, Duke
Duke has had a phenomenal season, with three Blue Devils earning ACC Player, Pitcher and Defensive Player of the Year awards and coach Marissa Young earning Coach of the Year honors. If Duke hopes to make his first trip to the WCWS, he will need to lean on ACC POY Davidson's hot bat. He led his team in batting average (.428), home runs (17), doubles (18), RBI (61) and OPS of 1.439, career-best numbers in almost every offensive category.
Jocelyn Erickson, C, Florida
Erickson was one of the best signings this season. Since coming to Florida from Oklahoma, Erickson has increased his power numbers to a .689 slugging percentage with 12 home runs and 75 RBIs in 57 starts. She's just as good behind the plate. The USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year finalist boasts a .989 fielding percentage with 255 putouts and just two errors.
Tiare Jennings, SS, Oklahoma
Jennings concluded each of his first three college seasons by hoisting the national championship trophy. Can he do it a fourth time? If he comes alive again in the postseason, he can certainly do it. Jennings already holds WCWS records for runs batted in (29) and home runs (five). Jennings has had 57 RBIs, bringing her career total to 302, the sixth-best mark in Division I history. She has been selected to the All-Big 12 first team four times.
Karlyn Pickens, P, Tennessee
The Lady Vols' pitching staff has been one to fear throughout this season, in part because of Pickens' ferocious fastball. He has recorded 186 strikeouts and owns a 1.26 ERA in 156 innings of work. He joins Monica Abbott as the only Lady Vols to claim SEC Pitcher of the Year honors. She gained attention as a freshman during the 2023 WCWS after throwing a 76 mph heater against the Sooners, one of the fastest pitches ever recorded. Will we see that speed again?
Karli Spaid, IF, Miami (Ohio)
What would this list be like without the 2024 home run leader? Spaid's 37 home runs in 2024 are the most in a season in Division I history. With 104 career home runs, he trails only Oklahoma legend Jocelyn Alo (122) on the all-time leaderboard. Spaid has established herself as one of the best power hitters in the game, with a 1,157 slugging percentage and 79 RBIs. It will be exciting to watch Spaid take on top opponents in the Knoxville regional.
Sara Vanderford, IF, Texas State
Vanderford has had an electric final season for the Bobcats. He posted career bests in doubles (24) and RBIs (48). Vanderford is an anchor for the Bobcats and starts in all 58 games for Texas States. She also became the program's all-time RBI (187) and home run (40) leader. Vanderford and the Bobcats swept Penn State in the regular season, so it will be interesting to see if they can tame the Nittany Lions again, but this time in the postseason.
