Rutgers two-way star Morgan Smith, Tennessee’s success without a major star, and Citlaly Gutierrez making a case as the Texas staff ace were some of what we learned in week nine of the college softball season.

Saturday’s showcase between No. 2 Texas and No. 9 Stanford lived up to the hype, while Georgia and Virginia Tech met for a rematch and both Robyn Herron and Olivia Miller were perfect.

The Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic field for the 2024 event in February includes three-time defending NCAA champion Oklahoma and Nebraska’s Jordy Bahl.

The Stanford regional has the likes of NiJaree Canady, Alana Vawter, Jenna Perez and Shannon Haddad in the circle.

But can Skylar Wallace lead Florida out of the regional anyways?

The late Gary Ferrin carved out a unique and successful niche for Loyola Marymount in Division I softball.

A matchup between Oklahoma and UCLA highlights the schedule for the 2023 Mary Nutter College Classic, which runs Feb. 23-26 in Cathedral City, Calif.

The Los Angeles Regional hosts Ole Miss, LMU and GCU, as the Bruins look to defend Easton Stadium and move onto Super Regionals.

Why is most of the country rooting for Liberty, Louisiana and UCF this week? It’s all about the bubble. In going beyond the Power 5, D1Softball’s Around the Nation hands out awards and looks at the ripple effects for the NCAA bracket from six key conference tournaments.

UCF retains the top spot in the Around the Nation Power Rankings, and Sam Landry has Louisiana climbing. But no one had a busier week than Bowling Green ace Peyton Gottshall. Check in on softball beyond the Power 5.

Virginia Tech wins in extras against FSU, Jocelyn Alo does something she hasn’t done before, and more in D1Softball’s Daily Dozen.

Graham Hays touches on South Florida standout Georgina Corrick, Charlotte and a host of others in his latest trip Around The Nation.

Leanna Johnson has Troy on the move in this week’s Around the Nation, looking at the best of college softball beyond the Power 5.

Former LMU All-American Sam Fischer is proud she attended a mid-major school, and wants players to know a mid-major can be a dream school. This season’s early upsets have shown the talent is spreading to all schools.