The 2025 NCAA Softball Tournament is officially here. You might already be familiar with two of the biggest names in the college game right now — NiJaree Canady and Jordy Bahl, two competitive pitchers who play for Texas Tech and Nebraska, respectively. Canady, an ace who has been shortlisted for the National Player of the Year award, has led her team to a 12 seed. The aptly-named Bahl, who shocked the softball world when she transferred from the country’s best team, Oklahoma, to her native state in 2023, will enter the tournament with an unseeded Nebraska.

Canady and Ball might be the country’s best pitchers, but they are far from the only players to watch during this tournament. Here’s one player from the remaining 14 seeds to keep your eye on as the tournament gets underway:

Pitchers

Emiley Kennedy - Texas A&M (1 seed)

In 2025, the Texas A&M Aggies softball team was named the top overall seed for the first time in program history. This may not have happened without pitcher Emiley Kennedy. The Woodlands, Texas native has posted a 2.68 ERA this season, with 21 wins and 4 losses. In 2024, Kennedy also earned NFCA All-America Second Team honors and became the first left-handed pitcher to earn that status in 41 years. Kennedy, who is slated to go pro after this season ends, isn’t looking at the end of her career; she does, however, face her final chance to help her team win a trophy.

Texas A&M’s Regional: Saint Francis, Liberty, Marist

Teagan Kavan - Texas (6 seed)

An All-SEC first team pitcher, Kavan is one to be feared when she gets to the mound. The sophomore right hand pitcher from West Des Moines, Iowa, had a 2.46 ERA in 2025 and, like Kennedy, finished up the regular season with a 21-4 record. Kavan has made a massive difference for Texas this season and has been lauded for it - she is the first Longhorn softball player since the 2018-19 season to earn all-conference first team honors during their freshman and sophomore seasons.

Texas’s Regional: Michigan, Central Florida, Eastern Illinois

Karlyn Pickens - Tennessee (7 seed)

Another finalist for the National Player of the Year Award, Pickens has put up enviable numbers this season. She also holds the record for fastest pitch in NCAA Softball history at 78.2 mph. She sits in third place in the NCAA with an ERA of 0.98, and recorded a career-high 231 strikeouts over 174.1 innings this season. The third-ever Tennessee Volunteer to earn this honor twice in her career, the ego boost will help the right hand pitcher push her teammates through the tournament and show how competitive they can be.

Tennessee’s Regional: Miami (OH), Ohio State, North Carolina

Lyndsey Grein - Oregon (16 seed)

Grein is one of USA Softball's National Player of the Year Finalists and the fifth Duck to be named to the USA Softball Top Ten. She’s a unanimous all-Big Ten first team and is currently second in the NCAA with 26 wins. Oregon will need her to come up big in the Regionals and Super Regionals for a chance at the World Series.

Oregon’s Regional: Binghamton, Stanford, Weber State

Infielders

Bri Ellis - Arkansas (4 seed)

A first baseman who was also named in the top ten finalists for National Player of the Year, Ellis contributes in myriad ways for the Razorbacks. Also named the SEC player of the year, Ellis leads the country in slugging percentage and on-base percentage, and posted a .475 batting average during the regular season. The Razorbacks are hoping for lots of homers from Ellis in this NCAA Tournament.

Arkansas’s Regional: Indiana, Oklahoma State, Saint Louis

Isa Torres - Florida State (5 seed)

Torres is easily the best shortstop in the country. In just her sophomore season, she’s posted a .960 fielding percentage - hardly anything gets past her. She’s also useful at the plate - her .448 batting average led the Seminoles during the regular season, and she’s racked up a few stolen bases, too. She’s a not-so-secret weapon for Florida State as they look to go far in the tournament.

Florida State’s Regional: Robert Morris, Auburn, South Florida

Arianna Rodi - South Carolina (8 seed)

Rodi had a successful sophomore year at UNC Charlotte. But, when her coach left for South Carolina, Rodi decided to go with her, and her numbers in her junior year prove just what a good decision that was. Rodi’s .333 batting average and 50 RBIs make her one of the hottest bats in the NCAA, and the Gamecocks will rely on her for big hits in key moments as the tournament gets underway.

South Carolina’s Regional: North Florida, Virginia, Elon

Taylor Pipkins - Clemson (11 seed)

Pipkins may only be a freshman, but she’s already made a grand statement in the NCAA, including with a game-winning grand slam in the quarterfinals of the ACC Tournament. The Cumming, GA native has three home runs and 20 RBSs in 66 at-bats this season, and she’s helpful in the infield, too. Pipkins and the rest of the Clemson Tigers are preparing to play hard in the NCAA Tournament, but they’re having fun with it, too.

Clemson’s Regional: South Carolina Upstate, Kentucky, Northwestern

Devyn Netz - Arizona (13 seed)

The pitcher and infielder did not play last year due to injury, so she’s especially motivated to see how far her team can go this year. She has a 2.04 ERA in 144 innings pitched this year, and has also posted a .352 batting average, with 17 home runs. This true double threat is the Wildcats' best weapon for making a deep tournament run.

Arizona’s Regional: Santa Clara, Ole Miss, Grand Canyon

Outfielders

Kendra Falby - Florida (3 seed)

Another nominee for National Player of the Year, Falby, Florida’s star outfielder, has received no shortage of accolades during her career. She’s been a three-time All-SEC selection, a Rawlings Gold Glove winner, and has received two SEC All-Defensive team selections. Falby’s precise fielding - she committed zero errors this season - as well as her hot bat, make her a crucial member of the Gators’ squad.

Florida’s Regional: Mercer, Florida Atlantic, Georgia Tech

Jessica Clements - UCLA (9 seed)

It’s her final season as a collegiate softball player, and Jessica Clements finally gets to play in an NCAA tournament after spending four years at CalPoly. The leadoff hitter for UCLA, Clements has contributed not only perfect fielding from center field, but is also hitting .360 and leading her team in stolen bases (9). Her energy is contagious for the Bruins as they attempt to make a deep run in the tournament.

UCLA’s Regional: UC Santa Barbara, Arizona State, San Diego State

Audrey Vandagriff - Alabama (15 seed)

Vandagriff is the future of Alabama softball. The first-year player who was selected to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Freshman of the Year Top 25 list has been a game-changer on the diamond. She stole 47 bases in her freshman campaign, putting her in the top 10 in Alabama’s single-season history. She also posted a .414 batting average and had 18 multi-hit games this year. No matter how far the Crimson Tide goes this year, they can rest easy, knowing the program’s future is in great hands.

Alabama’s Regional: Jackson State, Virginia Tech, Belmont

Utility Players

Ella Parker - Oklahoma (2 seed)

For Oklahoma, historically one of, if not the best, team in the country, postseason success will largely ride on the back of slugger Ella Parker. Though she slumped earlier this season, going 2-30 in the opening part of SEC play, she’s back to finding her groove. She’s jumped up to a .417 batting average this season, and will aim to bring up her home run count (current 11) as the tournament presses on.

Oklahoma’s Regional: Omaha, California, Boston University

Tori Edwards - LSU (10 seed)

The SEC Freshman of the Year, Edwards was a terror at the plate this season. She hit 18 home runs this year - including four grand slams - and notched 71 RBIs. Edwards is the kind of player who makes pitchers shake in their boots, and she’s the Tigers’ biggest and most dangerous weapon.

LSU’s Regional: UConn, Nebraska, Southeastern Louisiana

Thessa Malau'ulu - Duke (14 seed)

The ACC defensive player of the year put up enviable numbers this season. Malau’ulu posted a .968 fielding percentage and was perfect against all conference opponents. And her batting is no small thing, either; at the plate, Malau’ulu had a .368 batting average, with five home runs and 29 RBIs. She’s a crucial component to Duke’s chances this offseason.

Duke’s Regional: Coastal Carolina, Georgia, Howard

Texas Tech's Regional: Washington, Mississippi State, Brown