Leading off a potentially record-breaking weekend in college softball, Michigan’s Carol Hutchins passed Mike Candrea to become the winningest coach in the sport’s history.

Georgina Corrick took down some heavyweights in Clearwater. Louisiana prepares for Alabama. And Liberty bounces back. There is plenty going on beyond the Power 5.

Oklahoma freshman pitcher Jordy Bahl arrived in college with more hype than just about any recruit in recent memory. And so far, she’s exceeded expectations.

Oklahoma’s Jocelyn Alo made history, Texas miscues threaten to sink the season and Iowa State makes a last minute trip to the nation’s capital. All in the Big 12 notebook.

Jocelyn Alo entered the weekend tied for fourth on the all-time home run leaderboard. After hitting five home runs in three games, she’s now tied with Lauren Chamberlain for first.

Who will be the next James Madison? Our weekly check-in begins on the wealth of excellent softball beyond the Power 5, including by Kandra Lamb and unbeaten Louisiana.

The reigning Freshman of the Year and a favorite to earn that title this year helped Oklahoma make a statement. But the Sooners weren’t the only Big 12 team to start strong.

Oklahoma State’s Kiley Naomi is everything a top player should be — except recognized for her efforts. That makes her the embodiment of Oklahoma State’s softball identity.

Can anyone stop Villanova All-American Paige Rauch? The Big East’s reigning Pitcher and Player of the Year hopes to hold off an improving conference.

Northern Iowa and Southern Illinois return aces from NCAA tournament teams, but will the MVC recover from losing stars Sammey Bunch, Mack Leonard and Morgan Day?

Oklahoma returns its historic lineup almost intact, but transfers abound as Big 12 teams restock to take on the defending national champions.

Rachel Garcia and Bubba Nickles are gone but the process remains in Westwood. Will one of the most experienced rosters imaginable keep UCLA in the title picture?

What Mekenzie Saban did when no one was watching helped her hit .452, earn a 4.0 GPA and play in the NCAA tournament. Maybe it’s time we pay attention.

Oklahoma returns the most prolific offense in history and adds a freshman pitcher unlike any Patty Gasso has seen. Is there any stopping the Sooners?

What do Tim Walton, Cat Osterman and Jessica Mendoza have to do with an NEC dynasty? The Saint Francis blueprint goes back to the 2011 USSSA Pride and one of the best rosters ever assembled.

Athletes Unlimited will welcome Rachel Garcia and Sierra Romero in 2022 and give fans more opportunities to see them play by expanding operations with a second competition.

After some challenging years, Baylor coach Glenn Moore feels revitalized by a young team hoping to write the next chapter in program history.

With a host of freshmen and transfers, including a national champion, Texas Tech will have a new look in Sami Ward’s second season in Lubbock.

With reigning Big Ten Player of the Year Lexie Blair, two superstar pitchers and a deep freshman class, Michigan has a lot to work with in 2022.

Washington must replace some very familiar faces up the middle, but Kinsey Fiedler and a talented freshman class can rely on the trusted pitching arm of super-senior Gabbie Plain to lead the way.

Coming off another World Series and welcoming high-profile newcomers, it grows ever harder for Oklahoma State to claim underdog status. But the Cowgirls love to play with a chip on their shoulder.

Like many mid-majors, Southern Illinois drew inspiration from James Madison. SIU has an ace that could spearhead a similar run.

With Fresno State transfer Hailey Dolcini newly in tow alongside All-American Janae Jefferson, Texas feels it has the right mix to get back to the WCWS.

It’s a new era for Arizona, but the cupboard is far from bare for new head coach Caitlin Lowe.

Morgan Zerkle finished sixth in her second Athletes Unlimited season, 10 points shy of Cat Osterman in fifth place. All that separated her from one of greatest players who ever lived was the equivalent of an extra a bloop hit during the preceding 15 games.  The season finale was on a Monday. She spent the next day packing. By Wednesday, she was on the road to […]

Miami returns almost every player who contributed to a successful 2021 season, including 26-game winner Courtney Vierstra.

A lot of mid-majors looked at James Madison and thought ‘Why not us?’ Only South Dakota State ranked in the top 15 nationally in ERA, slugging and fielding in 2021.

Iowa State doesn’t have Sami Williams, but the Cyclones do have Mikayla Ramos and just about everyone else who helped the program reach the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1988.

Look at Aleshia Ocasio and you see the best player in the second season of Athletes Unlimited. You also see ample reason to remain hopeful about where the sport goes from here.