The post 2021 Bracket Challenge Results appeared first on Justin's World of Softball.

2nd Team
P-Carrie Eberle, Oklahoma State
P-Kassidy Wilbur, Stephen F. Austin
P-Alex Storako, Michigan
P- Brooke Yanez, Oregon
C-Bailey Hemphill, Alabama
1B-Delanie Wisz, UCLA
2B-Hannah Adams, Florida
3B-Charla Echols, Florida
SS-Sis Bates, Washington
OF-Maya Brady, UCLA
OF-Kate Gordon, James Madison
OF-Jayda Coleman, Oklahoma
P/UT-Makinzy Herzog, Texas A&M
At-Large-Sydney McKinney, Wichita St
At-Large-Odicci Alexander, James Madison
At-Large-Rylee Jensen, BYU
At-Large-Linda Rush, Drexel
At-Large-Ashley Rogers, Tennessee

3rd Team
P-Georgina Corrick, South Florida
P-Courtney Vierstra, Miami (OH)
P-Hailey Dolcini, Fresno St
C-Kinzie Hansen, Oklahoma
1B-Tricia Awald, Georgia Tech
2B-Rachel Lewis, Northwestern
3B-Kelsey Bennett, Virginia Tech
SS-Braxton Burnside, Arkansas
OF-Brooke Wilmes, Missouri
OF-Ciara Bryan, Louisiana
OF-Haley Cruse, Oregon
P/UT-Mack Leonard, Illinois St
At-Large-Haley Lee, Texas A&M
At-Large-Bailey Vannoy, Charlotte
At-Large-Paige Rauch, Villanova
At-Large-Jenna Wildeman, Central Arkansas
At-Large-Taylor Pleasants, LSU

The post 2021 JWOS All-Americans appeared first on Justin's World of Softball.

In addition to Player of the Year, contained herein are winners of each of the following awards:

• Pitcher of the Year
• Coach of the Year
• Freshman of the Year (limited to true freshmen)
• Assistant Coach of the Year
• Comeback Player of the Year
• Breakout Star of the Year

See below for write-ups on each award winner!

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Oklahoma slugger Jocelyn Alo earns Player of the Year honors after a sensational season at the plate. Alo hit her 30th home run of the season during the Super Regionals and enters the Women’s College World Series sporting a .487 batting average with 76 hits, 82 RBIs, and a 1.135 slugging percentage, in addition to the eye-popping home run numbers. She’s also a perfect 3-3 in stolen bases and perfect defensively with a 1.000 fielding percentage. An absolutely incredible year has also seen her earn 34 walks and strike out just 14 times.

Also Considered: Odicci Alexander, James Madison; Sammey Bunch, Northern Iowa; Braxton Burnside, Arkansas; Valerie Cagle, Clemson; Rachel Garcia, UCLA; Bailey Hemphill, Alabama; Tiare Jennings, Oklahoma; Dejah Mulipola, Arizona; Gabbie Plain, Washington

PITCHER OF THE YEAR

Washington’s Gabbie Plain is our Pitcher of the Year. Plain put up possibly the most impressive performance of her career this season, helming a pitching staff that didn’t deliver as expected and taking on a heavier workload as she led her team to a 2nd-place finish in the PAC-12 and a Super Regional berth. Plain finished the year with a 1.45 ERA, 32 wins, and a 0.82 WHIP. She pitched 237 of her team’s 374 innings on the year, held opponents to a .174 batting average, and recorded 337 strikeouts which finished top-3 in the nation.

Also Considered: Odicci Alexander, James Madison; Valerie Cagle, Clemson; Georgina Corrick, South Florida; Carrie Eberle, Oklahoma State; Montana Fouts, Alabama; Rachel Garcia, UCLA; Keely Rochard, Virginia Tech; Ashley Rogers, Tennessee; Courtney Vierstra, Miami (OH)

COACH OF THE YEAR

The 2021 JWOS Coach of the Year is James Madison’s Loren LaPorte. LaPorte guided the Dukes to a regular season showing where they lost just once, then navigated the program through the CAA tournament and one of the nation’s toughest regionals as the regional 3-seed. The Dukes upset a pair of top-30 RPI teams in the regional round, including the hosting Tennessee Lady Vols. In the Super Regionals, LaPorte’s squad took the best-of-3 series from the Missouri Tigers in Columbia to advance to the program’s first-ever Women’s College World Series. The Dukes own a .317 team batting average with 66 home runs, as well as a team ERA of 1.53 and 355 pitching strikeouts, as they enter the WCWS on Thursday.

Also Considered: Larissa Anderson, Missouri; Kristi Bredbenner, Wichita State; Courtney Deifel, Arkansas; Patty Gasso, Oklahoma; Jamie Pinkerton, Iowa State; Dot Richardson, Liberty; John Rittman, Clemson; Krista Wood, South Dakota State; Ricci Woodard, Texas State; Marissa Young, Duke

FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR

Only true freshmen were considered for this award, and the running-away winner was Oklahoma’s Tiare Jennings. Jennings has been a crucial part of the Oklahoma offensive onslaught this season, as she ranks third on the team with a .485 batting average and second on the roster with 25 home runs. Jennings has started every game for the Sooners and leads the team in at-bats. She has collected 22 doubles on the year, nearly twice as many as her next-closest teammate, and also leads the squad in RBIs with 84.

Also Considered: Addison Barnard, Wichita State; Alyssa Brito, Oregon; Erin Coffel, Kentucky; Jayda Coleman, Oklahoma; Tori Kniesche, South Dakota State; Olivia Lackie, South Alabama; Jenna Laird, Missouri; Shelby Lowe, Auburn; Carlie Scupin, Arizona

COMEBACK PLAYER OF THE YEAR

The only award that ended with a tie in the voting, the Comeback Player of the Year virtual trophy is shared by Tennessee pitcher Ashley Rogers and James Madison dual threat Odicci Alexander. Rogers missed much of the 2020 season due to injury, but returned in 2021 and fought through some continuing injuries to help lead Tennessee to a semifinal berth in the SEC tournament and the overall 9-seed in the NCAA tournament. She finished the year fifth in the country in strikeouts and wins, and led all SEC pitchers in both categories, as well as ERA as she posted a 1.26 mark.

Alexander played in just eight games a year ago before missing the remainder of the year, but returned for her “super senior” year in 2021 with a vengeance. Her season’s numbers, to-date, include a 1.14 ERA, 16 wins, and an opponent’s batting average of .138. She owns 186 strikeouts on the year in 117 innings of work and boasts a strikeout/walk ratio better than 5/1.

Also Considered: Elissa Brown, Alabama; Giselle Juarez, Oklahoma; Sierra Lange, George Washington

ASSISTANT COACH OF THE YEAR

Oklahoma State pitching coach John Bargfeldt is the recipient of the Assistant Coach of the Year award in 2021. In his first full season as the Cowgirls’ pitching coach, Bargfeldt tutored the staff to new heights and helped them guide the program to its second Women’s College World Series berth in as many years. Led by Carrie Eberle and Kelly Maxwell, the Cowgirl staff owns a 1.80 ERA on the year with a staff WHIP of 1.15. Eberle has thrown nineteen complete games this season in 31 appearances, while Maxwell has made 26 appearances and Logan Simunek has seen the circle 22 times. The Cowgirls have allowed just 96 earned runs in 373.2 innings of work, and have held opponents to a .202 batting average against them. The staff has collected 349 strikeouts to go along with 149 walks, a strikeout/walk ratio better than 2/1.

Also Considered: Jennifer Brundage, Michigan; Jodie Cox, Fresno State; Rich Dillinger, Iowa; Elizabeth Economon, Wichita State; JT Gasso, Oklahoma; Jeff Harger, Arizona State; Kristine Himes, Kentucky; Chris Malveaux, Missouri; Craig Snider, Texas A&M; Morgan Zerkle, Miami (OH)

BREAKOUT STAR OF THE YEAR

Arkansas slugger Braxton Burnside is the Breakout Star of the Year for 2021. After sitting out the 2019 season following an in-conference transfer, Burnside batted .392 during the shortened 2020 season with five home runs. In 2021, though, she truly found her groove at the plate and finished the year with a .357 batting average and 25 home runs. She emerged as one of the game’s top sluggers this season, as she also recorded 54 RBIs and an .892 slugging percentage. Each of her numbers led the Razorbacks’ roster during their own record-setting year at the plate.

Also Considered: Odicci Alexander, James Madison; Maddi Hackbarth, Arizona State; Elizabeth Hightower, Florida; Tiare Jennings, Oklahoma; Kandra Lamb, Louisiana-Lafayette; Bailey Lange, Wichita State; Haley Lee, Texas A&M; Mack Leonard, Illinois State; Autumn Pease, Minnesota

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A jammed packed weekend of softball has come to a close and all automatic qualifiers for the 2021 NCAA Softball Tournament have been set! 

We have compiled a “Champions Rundown” for every conference across the country.

Don’t miss our final BRACKETOLOGY of the season either! 

American East
– Tournament Champs: UMBC
– Season Champs: UMBC

American  Athletic
– Tournament Champs: Wichita State
– Season Champs: Wichita State

Atlantic 10
– Tournament Champs: George Washington
– Season Champs: George Washington

Atlantic Coast
– Tournament Champs: Duke
– Season Champs: Clemson

Atlantic Sun
– Tournament Champs: Liberty
– Season Champs: x

Big 12
– Tournament Champs: Oklahoma
– Season Champs: Oklahoma

Big East
– Tournament Champs: Villanova
– Season Champs: DePaul

Big Sky
– Tournament Champs: Portland State
– Season Champs: x

Big South Conference
– Tournament Champs: Campbell
– Season Champs: Campbell

Big Ten
– Tournament Champs: x
– Season Champs: Michigan

Big West
– Tournament Champs: x
– Season Champs: Long Beach State

Colonial Athletic Association
– Tournament Champs: JMU
– Season Champs: x

Conference USA
– Tournament Champs: Western Kentucky
– Season Champs: North Texas

Horizon League
– Tournament Champs: UIC
– Season Champs: Youngstown State

Metro Atlantic Athletic
– Tournament Champs: Manhattan
– Season Champs: Monmouth

Mid-American
– Tournament Champs: x
– Season Champs: Miami (OH)

Mid-Eastern Athletic
– Tournament Champs: Morgan State
– Season Champs: x

Missouri Valley
– Tournament Champs: SIU
– Season Champs: Illinois State

Mountain West
– Tournament Champs: x
– Season Champs: Fresno State

Northeast
– Tournament Champs: St. Francis
– Season Champs: St. Francis

Ohio Valley
– Tournament Champs: EKU
– Season Champs: SEMO

Pac-12
– Tournament Champs: x
– Season Champs: UCLA

Patriot League
– Tournament Champs: Boston U
– Season Champs: Boston U

SEC
– Tournament Champs: Alabama
– Season Champs: Arkansas / Florida 

Southern
– Tournament Champs: UNCG
– Season Champs: UNCG

Southland
– Tournament Champs: McNeese
– Season Champs: SFA

Southwestern Athletic
– Tournament Champs: Alabama State
– Season Champs: x

Sun Belt
– Tournament Champs: Louisiana
– Season Champs: Louisiana

The Summit League
– Tournament Champs: South Dakota State
– Season Champs: South Dakota State

West Coast
– Tournament Champs: x
– Season Champs: BYU

Western Athletic
– Tournament Champs: Seattle U
– Season Champs: New Mexico State

The post 2021 NCAA Conference Champions appeared first on Justin's World of Softball.

For frequent updates on the Bracket impacts of various games, click here for Bubble Watch.

Bracketology 8.0: Regionals

* = Automatic Qualifier

Bracketology 8.1: Last In/First Out

Last One In: Northwestern

First One Out: Illinois State

The post Bracketology 8.1: Final Predictions, FREE Edition appeared first on Justin's World of Softball.

The post BUBBLE WATCH: The Countdown to Selection Sunday is ON appeared first on Justin's World of Softball.

For other teams, though, there might be some heart palpitations between now and then. We decided to take a look at seven teams who are seen as “on the bubble” in our Bracketology, and to analyze their chances of seeing their name on a Regional bracket line.

One piece of information that is worthy of note in this category is the NCAA’s rule change, or adaptation, for the 2021 season: Generally, a team must have a record at or above .500 to be considered for an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament. This season, however, that requirement is not in place. Any team may be selected for an at-large bid, regardless of record, and a sub-.500 record will not by itself keep any team out.

Mississippi State

Let’s begin with the elephant in the room or, rather, the Bulldog. Mississippi State has been the worst team in the SEC for much of the year, and now only share the title with South Carolina after their series win over the Gamecocks last week. Mississippi State has had a rough go of things this year, including an early loss to Southern Illinois and come-from-behind wins over Alcorn State, Western Kentucky, and Southern Miss. With five games to go – including Wednesday’s rescheduled doubleheader vs. Tennessee – the Bulldogs are five games over .500. They must win at least one game against either Tennessee or Georgia to guarantee themselves a record above .500 going into the SEC tournament. If Mississippi State finishes the season above the .500 mark – including after the SEC tournament, which now includes a #12 vs. #13 play-in game as the opener – they’ll make the NCAA tournament field. However, should they lose the remaining five regular-season matchups and lose the play-in game to the conference tournament, they will be below .500 and the committee may leave them out, rule change notwithstanding.

Prediction: In

Kansas

This weekend’s series against Iowa State could not be more important for Kansas. The Jayhawks currently sit as the 6th Big 12 team in the RPI rankings and hold the #43 overall position in those rankings. A win over Missouri in a border battle matchup is a high mark in the Jayhawks’ favor, but they also have a wins and losses issue – currently sitting at 22-23, the program would not make the NCAA tournament in a normal year. This is not a normal year, though, so the team’s qualifications for an at-large bid must be more closely examined. Kansas is 2-13 in conference play and 2-12 in road games this season; their best non-conference wins are the victory over Missouri and a win against Wichita State, while their worst losses were to UTSA, Northern Iowa, and a series loss to Texas Tech in conference play. If the season ended today, Kansas does not look like an NCAA tournament team, regardless of record, but a strong showing against Iowa State and in the Big 12 tournament could change that perception.

Prediction: Out

NC State

After pulling a game from LSU and from Florida State, the Wolfpack have gained some traction in some softball circles. Despite that, though, they still have some massive hills to climb to truly challenge for an at-large berth in the NCAA tournament. In the latest RPI, NC State is ranked at #90 – and that’s an improvement. The Wolfpack’s RPI took a nose dive after an early-season 4-game series against Gardner-Webb and a 3-game weekend set against North Carolina A&T; despite going 7-0 in those games, playing low-ranked opponents significantly impacted the Wolfpack’s rating, as well. In conference play, the Wolfpack split with Virginia; lost a game to Boston College; and failed to pick up a win against either Notre Dame or Clemson. Even with Abby Trahan in the circle and a high-octane offense, a surprise run to a tournament championship is NC State’s best bet to go dancing.

Prediction: Out

Southern Illinois

Since beginning the season on a lengthy winning streak – a streak that included the afore-mentioned win over Mississippi State in Starkville – the Salukis have lost their way a bit. They have fallen to 4th in the conference standings, with a 16-7 league record, and currently sit at #50 in the latest RPI rankings. The Salukis have snuck into the NCAA tournament before, in 2019, so it’s not out of the question for Kerri Blaylock’s squad to pull off another such achievement. A series against Northern Iowa marks the end of the regular season for SIU, and fortunes could change very quickly following that series and the MVC tournament.

Prediction: True Bubble

South Alabama

While it’s been six years since the Jaguars’ last NCAA tournament appearance, the program’s re-emergence this season has meant far more than that. Becky Clark’s club has floundered considerably over the last few years, but the ship now looks to be righted and the Jags have turned some heads this season. Two non-conference wins against SEC foes Georgia and Alabama at their own home parks probably had something to do with that, as well, but the Jags have been playing like a tournament-bound team for much of the year. A series sweep at the hands of Georgia Southern this past weekend put a significant damper on the Jags’ postseason hopes, but was hardly the end of those hopes. Winning the Sun Belt tournament would certainly make breathing a bit easier for the Jags on Selection Sunday, but with an RPI of 49 in the latest rankings and two major wins that have aged considerably well, things seem to be looking up in terms of postseason chances.

Prediction: In

Tulsa

Three teams from the American Athletic Conference seem unavoidably destined to reach the NCAA tournament – Wichita State and UCF have quality bodies of work through this season, while South Florida is trending upward towards the end of the season and are playing lights-out. Could Tulsa help the American place four teams in the tournament? At this point, a non-Power 5 league getting even three teams into the tournament seems like a stretch – four teams seems laughable. But it is possible. Tulsa took the 3-1 series win over UCF and pulled games from both South Florida and Wichita State. Their RPI will also be helped by a 3-game series against Texas A&M and games against both Oklahoma State and Kansas. At the same time, a 75 ranking in the RPI is not a great starting spot for the Golden Hurricane.

Prediction: Out

Delaware

You might call Delaware one of a handful of “enigma” teams that are highly-ranked in the RPI through much of this season; other teams to makes appearances include George Washington and Villanova. The teams have weak strengths of schedule, but thanks to abbreviated slates and other factors, they maintain high RPI ratings. This would normally be the point where somebody rags on the RPI, but at this point in time, it’s the only comparable metric by which all teams can be judged, so it makes sense to rely on it fairly heavily. Delaware is not a bad team, by any means, and they have played well. But unless the committee decides to absolutely simply phone in their selections based solely on the RPI, the Blue Hens should bank on a conference championship as their way into the field of 64.

Prediction: Out

The post Stating the Case for Seven NCAA Tournament Hopefuls appeared first on Justin's World of Softball.

Following her stellar collegiate career, Chamberlain played for the USSSA Pride professional team and has been involved with USSSA in various ambassadorial roles since her playing career ended.

“I am beyond excited for my new role within the USSSA organization,” Chamberlain said in an organization press release. “Having competed at every level of softball, I feel that I have a strong perspective and a unique relationship with the sport and its current players. I am looking forward to building upon an already strong area of USSSA and continuing to grow the sport as a whole.”

As the National Director of USA-Elite Select, Chamberlain will work directly with regional advisors to oversee the regional calendar of events, and work with USSSA state directors and event hosts to provide a full calendar of qualifiers, showcases, and invitationals that best support each region.

During her playing career at Oklahoma, Chamberlain set the NCAA career home run record with 95 longballs. She was a three-time All-American and helped lead the Sooners to the 2013 Women’s College World Series title.

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