College softball final 2024 top-25 rankings, plus WCWS key plays and top players

June 12, 2024 ndowd

Jun 11, 2024, 12:45 PM ET

The 2024 Women’s College World Series concluded in historic fashion.

The Oklahoma Sooners swept the Texas Longhorns to win their fourth straight national championship. The Sooners become the first Division I softball program to accomplish a four-peat and match Arizona for the second-most titles in Division I softball history with eight championships total.

How does the top 25 shake out after the NCAA tournament? Which teams have climbed into the rankings?

Here’s the final ESPN/USA Softball Collegiate top 25 poll of the 2024 season, plus top plays and players of the WCWS.

Key players of the WCWS

Jayda Coleman, OF, Oklahoma

Coleman made hoisting the national championship possible for Oklahoma. A day after Florida had snapped Oklahoma’s 20-game NCAA tournament win streak, the Sooners’ season and chase at history was on the line. Coleman hit a stunning walk-off home run in the bottom of the eighth inning to send the Sooners back to Oklahoma City and keep her college career alive. In the outfield, she also showcased her talent, making two home run robberies at the WCWS.

Teagan Kavan, RHP, Texas

The Longhorns’ freshman pitcher stepped up and delivered all season for her team, and the WCWS was no different. Kavan threw two complete game shutouts against Stanford to send Texas to the championship game. Against a pesky Stanford offense, she allowed only two hits and pitched 15 strikeouts. Her standout performance on the big stage was enough to get the attention of WNBA star Caitlin Clark and Longhorn legend Cat Osterman.

Reagan Walsh, INF, Florida

Walsh had a standout performance for the Gators against Oklahoma in Game 1 of the semifinals. She hit four RBIs, including a three-run homer to help Florida upset the Sooners. She concluded the WCWS with five RBIs and two home runs. Thanks to her performance, she was named to the 2024 all-tournament team.

Best plays of the WCWS

Kendra Falby hits an inside-the-park home run

Falby played a big part in Florida’s postseason success. Against Oklahoma, she hit just the third inside-the-park home run in WCWS history — the first since 2014.

INSIDE THE PARK HOME RUN 🏃‍♀️#WCWS x 🎥 ESPN / @GatorsSB pic.twitter.com/woXZWfAwUQ

— NCAA Softball (@NCAASoftball) June 3, 2024

Mia Scott snags a 78 mph hit

No hit is too hard for Scott to catch. She proved that with this grab that kept the Gators from getting on base.

78 mph? no problem for @miakscottt 😏

T4 | Texas 5 Florida 0 #HookEm | 📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/5CERxO0mcz

— Texas Softball (@TexasSoftball) June 2, 2024