The 2024 Women’s College World Series concluded in historic fashion.
The Oklahoma Sooners swept the Texas Longhorns to win their fourth straight national championship. The Sooners become the first Division I softball program to accomplish a four-peat and match Arizona for the second-most titles in Division I softball history with eight championships total.
How does the top 25 shake out after the NCAA tournament? Which teams have climbed into the rankings?
Here’s the final ESPN/USA Softball Collegiate top 25 poll of the 2024 season, plus top plays and players of the WCWS.
Key players of the WCWS
Jayda Coleman, OF, Oklahoma
Coleman made hoisting the national championship possible for Oklahoma. A day after Florida had snapped Oklahoma’s 20-game NCAA tournament win streak, the Sooners’ season and chase at history was on the line. Coleman hit a stunning walk-off home run in the bottom of the eighth inning to send the Sooners back to Oklahoma City and keep her college career alive. In the outfield, she also showcased her talent, making two home run robberies at the WCWS.
Teagan Kavan, RHP, Texas
The Longhorns’ freshman pitcher stepped up and delivered all season for her team, and the WCWS was no different. Kavan threw two complete game shutouts against Stanford to send Texas to the championship game. Against a pesky Stanford offense, she allowed only two hits and pitched 15 strikeouts. Her standout performance on the big stage was enough to get the attention of WNBA star Caitlin Clark and Longhorn legend Cat Osterman.
Reagan Walsh, INF, Florida
Walsh had a standout performance for the Gators against Oklahoma in Game 1 of the semifinals. She hit four RBIs, including a three-run homer to help Florida upset the Sooners. She concluded the WCWS with five RBIs and two home runs. Thanks to her performance, she was named to the 2024 all-tournament team.
Best plays of the WCWS
Kendra Falby hits an inside-the-park home run
Falby played a big part in Florida’s postseason success. Against Oklahoma, she hit just the third inside-the-park home run in WCWS history — the first since 2014.
INSIDE THE PARK HOME RUN 🏃♀️#WCWS x 🎥 ESPN / @GatorsSB pic.twitter.com/woXZWfAwUQ
— NCAA Softball (@NCAASoftball) June 3, 2024
Mia Scott snags a 78 mph hit
No hit is too hard for Scott to catch. She proved that with this grab that kept the Gators from getting on base.
78 mph? no problem for @miakscottt 😏
T4 | Texas 5 Florida 0 #HookEm | 📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/5CERxO0mcz
— Texas Softball (@TexasSoftball) June 2, 2024
Janelle Meoño robs Oklahoma’s home run
Meoño stopped the Sooners from extending their lead with this impressive home-run-saving catch.
.@janelleivyyy said N🚫T TODAY#WCWS x 🎥 ABC / @UCLASoftball pic.twitter.com/fZLEVKnyKL
— NCAA Softball (@NCAASoftball) June 1, 2024
Final top 25 rankings
Here is the ESPN/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25 poll as of June 11.
Parenthesis denotes first-place votes.
1. Oklahoma (25)
Record: 59-7
2. Texas
Record: 55-10
3. Florida
Record: 54-15
4. Stanford
Record: 50-17
5. UCLA
Record: 43-12
6. Alabama
Record: 39-20
7. Oklahoma State
Record: 49-12
8. Duke
Record: 52-9
9. Tennessee
Record: 44-12
10. Texas A&M
Record: 44-15
11. LSU
Record: 44-17
12. Missouri
Record: 48-18
13. Georgia
Record: 43-19
14. Florida State
Record: 46-16
15. Arizona
Record: 37-18-1
16. Baylor
Record: 36-23
17. Arkansas
Record: 37-18
18. Virginia Tech
Record: 40-14-1
19. Louisiana
Record: 45-19
20. Oregon
Record: 30-21
21. Washington
Record: 32-15
22. Mississippi State
Record: 34-20
23. Northwestern
Record: 35-13
24. Clemson
Record: 35-19
25. Texas State
Record: 47-15
