Previewing the 64-team NCAA softball tournament

The GIST: The 64-team NCAA softball national championship tournament swings into action today with 16 double-elimination Regionals on deck. It’s all part of a massive moment for the sport before the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) season begins next month. Batter up, baby.

📈 Parity on the rise in the college game: The natty tournament has historically seen top seeds dominate, with few upsets en route to the eight-team Women’s College World Series (WCWS). But that’s changed in recent years, inspiring the NCAA to adopt a seeding system aligned with the women’s soccer and volleyball tourneys.

• All to say, anything can happen on the road to Oklahoma City, which begins with this weekend’s double-elimination Regionals, continues with next weekend’s best-of-three Super Regionals, and culminates with the reason for the season: the WCWS.

👀 Storylines to watch: The rise in parity can be traced to a deepening talent pool, underscored by this year’s single-season home run record chase. Three players had a chance to eclipse the mark, but No. 2 UCLA’s Megan Grant got the job done, blasting 38 dingers (mere months after snagging an NCAA basketball title). Watch for the long ball to prevail this postseason.

• As for the defense, the circle is stacked with future AUSL talent: Keep an eye on 2026 No. 1 overall pick Karlyn “flamethrower” Pickens to lead No. 2 Tennessee and NIL darling, No. 2 pick NiJaree Canady, who hopes to take No. 3 Texas Tech back to the title game.