Megan Grant, Kendall Wells bring NCAA softball home run race on Road to WCWS

The Road to Oklahoma City starts this week.

The NCAA softball tournament gets under way in a few days. First up will be 16 regionals this week, followed by eight super regionals next week. But all of the teams have one goal — a spot in the Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City.

Even though most fans in our neck of the woods will be locked on what OU and OSU are doing, there are lots of storylines. Things to watch. People to see.

Here, in homage to the 16 regionals, are 16 people who you'll want to keep an eye on as the tournament starts.

Kendall Wells, OU slugger: The Sooner freshman has already broken all sorts of home-run records. What will she do in the postseason?

Megan Grant, UCLA slugger: If not for Wells, Grant would've been the talk of the college softball world. She hit 35 homers during the regular season, only one behind Wells. Then she hit three homers in the Big Ten Tournament to break the all-time record.

NiJaree Canady, Texas Tech ace: The Red Raider righty came up one win short of a national title last season. Does she push Tech to the title this time?

Jordy (Bahl) Frahm, Nebraska utility: Yes, the former Sooner is the Husker ace, but she’s also Nebraska’s biggest bat. No player may have more impact on this postseason.

Karlyn Pickens, Tennessee ace: The Vol standout has gotten lots of pitching help this season, but for Tennessee to win a title, Pickens has to be great.

Maya Johnson, Belmont ace: If the WCWS is going to get a non-Power Four team, Belmont might be it. Johnson leads the nations in ERA (0.72) and strikeouts (344).

Ruby Meylan, OSU ace: If the Cowgirls survive regionals, look out. Might be tough to beat Meylan twice in a best-of-three super regional

Mike White, Texas coach: Oh, yeah, the defending national champs. The Horns haven’t been dominant, but White knows how to bring out a team’s best in the postseason.

Moriah Polar, Purdue outfielder: If the bubble Boilers get into the NCAA Tournament, watch Polar. The speedster led the nation with a .577 regular-season batting average.

Isa Torres, Florida State shortstop: Yes, she hit .548 during the regular season, but she also committed no errors at short. A wizard both in the field and at the plate.

Taylor Shumaker, Florida outfielder: After a boffo freshman season, the sophomore leads the Gators in nine offensive categories. No small thing with teammates like Jocelyn Erickson.

Mya Perez, Texas A&M utility: The Aggie slugger finished the regular season with a whopping 50 walks. You’d walk her too once you watch her launch one.

Jocelyn Briski, Alabama ace: The Crimson Tide was a WCWS surprise a year ago. With Briski’s improvement, it is now a contender.

Ella McDowell, Arkansas third baseman: Nifty at the corner, McDowell has also driven in 50 runs for an offense that has more than made up for Bri Ellis’ departure.

Aminah Vega, Duke shortstop: The sparkplug for the Blue Devils’ explosive offense in addition to being the ACC Defensive Player of the Year.

Alyssa Faircloth, Mississippi State pitcher: Peja Goold gets the headlines, but Faircloth is a powerful second option. She led the SEC with 231 strikeouts during the regular season.

Jenni Carlson: Jenni can be reached at [email protected]. Like her at facebook.com/JenniCarlsonOK, follow her at @jennicarlsonok.bsky.social and twitter.com/jennicarlson_ok, and support her work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today.