For a South Dakota State program that still has the talent to go places, a new coach who is excited to be in Brookings looks like a perfect fit.

One team will take the next step toward Oklahoma City as UCF, Michigan, South Dakota State and Villanova gather for the Orlando Regional.

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.

Wichita State wanted to know who can match Addison Barnard’s power-speed combination. We’ve got the answer. Also, Miami keeps beating past NCAA champions and UNCG keeps hitting home runs.

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.

BYU’s Violet Zavodnik showed against Iowa State why the Big 12 won’t lose all its star hitters when OU and Texas leave. Also in Around the Nation, UCF’s Gianna Mancha wins a battle of aces and Northern Iowa has it figured out.

Could UCF’s Jada Cody make it to 100 RBIs? She and the Knights will be tested this week against Georgina Corrick and USF. That and more from beyond the Power 5 in 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.

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.

To build upon our positional power rankings, the staff ranked the top 150 players in college softball.

Alabama’s Kaylee Tow headlines our list of the top 10 first basemen in college softball.

Which college softball teams were right on the cusp of our Preseason Top 25 Rankings? We have those names, plus analysis on each club.

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.

Selection Day for college softball is tomorrow and our Tara Henry and Graham Hays release the updated Field of 64 Projections as of May 15.

Alabama had a record-tying win, UCLA played home run derby and the Big East will crown a new champion. That and more in Thursday’s Daily Dozen.

From a wild walk-off in Gainesville to clinch a share of the SEC title to Oklahoma taking Bedlam in Stillwater find out what the D1Softball staff learned from the weekend.

Career coaching milestones, no-hitters, clutch home runs and healthier outlooks. That and more in Friday’s Daily Dozen.

From OU’s overlooked pitching to the depth of the American Conference to Michigan’s quietly good wins, find out what the D1Softball learned from the weekend.

Rain left everyone in suspense, teams finally returned home for games and walk-off wins were celebrated. The Daily Dozen from Friday’s action.