It’s time for my regular season awards for the 2026 college softball season. Let’s hand out some fun awards and superlatives.
👉 Click or tap to view WCWS interactive bracket
Player of the Year: Jordan Woolery, UCLA
Starting with my 2026 Player of the Year. To me, it’s UCLA’s Jordan Woolery. She's hitting .500 (fourth in the nation) with 34 homers and a nation-leading 112 RBIs as the Bruins prepare to play in the Women's College World Series. How is that not your POTY?
JORDAN WOOLERY'S THIRD 3-RUN HOMER OF THE SERIES‼️🤯 |
— UCLA Softball (@UCLASoftball)
Pitcher of the Year: Maya Johnson, Belmont
My Pitcher of the Year goes to Belmont's Maya Johnson. Hat's off to her incredible career — she was three strikeouts away from 400 this season, over 115 more than the next closest. With a 0.78 season ERA. Mind boggling.
Freshman of the Year: Kendall Wells, Oklahoma
Freshman of the Year goes to Kendall Wells at Oklahoma. She became one of the most dominant and feared hitters, breaking the single-season freshman home run record. Pretty much every ball she made contact with went out of the park, and as just a freshman, we are in for a record-breaking career from Wells.
Best Two-Way Player: Jordy Frahm, Nebraska
Best Two-Way Player and maybe overall player on both sides of the ball is Jordy Frahm. She's top 5 in ERA, top 10 in pitching strikeouts and hitting over .400 with 19 homers. And now she's led the Huskers back to the WCWS for the first time since 2013.
Home Run Queen: Megan Grant, UCLA
My Home Run Queen is Megan Grant of UCLA. She has a record-breaking 40 bombs this season and is not done yet. This has never been done before.
Infielder of the Year: Isa Torres, Florida State
Infielder of the Year goes to Isa Torres at FSU. I could think of many awards to give to Torres for the special season she put together. The ACC POTY hit .530 with 16 home runs and was one of the best shortstops in the game, not to mention an inspiration to all.
Base Burglar: Chelsea Mack, Louisville
Base Burglar goes to Chelsea Mack at Louisville, with 45 stolen bases for the year.
Most Improved: Jocelyn Briski, Alabama
My Most Improved Award goes to Alabama pitcher Jocelyn Briski. Not that she wasn't already great last season, but this year she became one of the best pitchers in the country and led her team to the NCAA tournament's No. 1 overall seed, and now back to the WCWS. She dropped her ERA from 2.99 last season to 1.30 this year and recorded 81 more strikeouts in less innings en route to being named SEC Pitcher of the Year.
ALABAMA ADVANCES TO THEIR 16TH WCWS �� x 🎥 ESPNews /
— NCAA Softball (@NCAASoftball)
Breakout Star: Emily LeGette, North Carolina
My Breakout Star is Emily LeGette of UNC. LeGette went from a spot starter to breaking the UNC records for home runs, slugging and total bases.
Most Impactful Transfer: Kaitlyn Terry, Texas Tech
For Most Impactful Transfer, I am going with Kaitlyn Terry for Texas Tech. She put together an All-American season and did it on both sides of the ball. The Red Raiders needed her in the circle and at the plate to get back to the WCWS. She has a 1.68 ERA with 158 strikeouts and is hitting over .450 with power. That is a crazy impact.
📺 WATCH: Offensive fireworks in Texas Tech Game 3 win over Florida
Most Automatic at the Plate: Moriah Polar, Purdue
Most Automatic at the Plate award goes Moriah Polar at Purdue. She led the nation in batting average for a big chunk of the season, and is still on top with a .555 mark.
Best Dugout Antics: Mississippi State
If you watched a Mississippi State softball game, you know what I mean. Rally broccoli. Broccoli guy in the stands. A whole dugout full of broccoli. So much fun.
There is A LOT going on in this interview with head coach Samantha Ricketts 🤣
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork)
Flame Thrower: Karlyn Pickens, Tennessee
Flame Thrower award goes to the Karlyn Pickens of Tennessee. She's the hardest throwing pitcher in the history of the game, and she dominated her senior year.
Top Battery Duo: Teagan Kavan and Reese Atwood, Texas
Top Battery Duo goes to Teagan Kavan and Reese Atwood at Texas. This is an elite pitcher-catcher combo. They are best friends on and off the field and they know how to win games together. Remember, this a national title-winning duo.
Most Underrated: Alyssa Faircloth, Mississippi State
Most Underrated award goes to Alyssa Faircloth at Mississippi State. I just don’t think she gets nearly enough credit for what she does — Peja Goold gets a lot of credit for leading the staff and obviously for good reason. But Faircloth has incredible stuff and is so tough to hit. She threw a no-hitter in NCAA regionals and helped MSU reach its first WCWS in program history.
Workhorse: Ruby Meylan, Oklahoma State
Workhorse award is easy: Ruby Meylan at Oklahoma State. The load she carried is insane. She threw 244 innings this season, good for third in the country while competing against some of best bats in the nation.
No Fly Zone: Regan Shockey, Arizona
No Fly Zone award goes to Regan Shockey from Arizona. She's got diving catches, insane relay throws and is just an incredible center fielder.
Best Leadoff Hitter: Taylor Shumaker, Florida
For Best Leadoff Hitter award, I am going with Taylor Shumaker at Florida. She hit close to .450 with so much power, setting the table for Florida and setting them up for success every time.
Made for the Big Moment: Nijaree Canady, Texas Tech
I have a Made for the Big Moment award, and that goes to NiJaree Canady at Texas Tech. Talk about a pitcher and player that shows up when the lights get bright. We just saw it this past weekend in super regionals, as she got out of a bases loaded jam to help clinch another trip to the WCWS.
Best HR Celly: Tiana Bell, Arkansas
And finally, for Best HR Celly I am giving it to Tianna Bell at Arkansas. She's the dancing queen at home plate after hitting a bomb.
👉 Click or tap here for the full 2026 WCWS schedule
HR Queen: Megan Grant, UCLA
Player of the Year: Jordan Woolery, UCLA
Pitcher of the Year: Maya Johnson, Belmont
Freshman of the Year: Kendall Wells, Oklahoma
Infielder of the Year: Isa Torres, FSU
Best two-way player: Jordy Frahm, Nebraska
Base Burglar: Chelsea Mack, Louisville
Breakout star: Emily LeGette, UNC
🎉 Every 2026 WCWS team's winning moment from softball super regionals
Most Improved: Jocelyn Briski, Alabama
Most impactful transfer: Kaitlyn Terry, Texas Tech
Most Automatic: Moriah Polar, Purdue
Best dugout antics: Mississippi State rally broccoli
Flame thrower: Karlyn Pickens, Tennessee
Top battery duo: Tegan Kavan and Reese Atwood, Texas
Most Underrated: Alyssa Faircloth, Mississippi State
🤯 10 minutes of home run robberies in the NCAA softball tournament
Workhorse: Ruby Meylan, Oklahoma State
No fly zone: Regan Shockey, Arizona
Best leadoff hitter: Taylor Shumaker, Florida
Best HR celly: Tianna Bell, Arkansas
Made for the Big Moment: NiJaree Canady, Texas Tech
