No. 7 California
Coming off a second consecutive appearance in a super regional, despite having to win back-to-back regionals on another team's field, Cal's momentum appears headed solidly in one direction. Not least because in addition to losing just two starters from last season's team, the Bears add Washington transfer Jace Williams, who managed a .914 OPS as a freshman for the Huskies in 2008, and a freshman class highlighted by the EA Sports All-America battery of Jolene Henderson and Lindsey Ziegenhirt.No. 8 Oklahoma
Amber Flores spent her first three seasons at Oklahoma proving she's one of the nation's best players no matter where she plays -- second base, shortstop, outfield, wherever she's needed. Last season, her on-base percentage (.594) ranked second in the nation, trailing only Katie Cochran; Flores was seventh nationally in slugging percentage (both were career highs but right in line with her previous production). It doesn't take very long to come to appreciate the slugger. "She's just such a competitor," Oklahoma freshman Keilani Ricketts said of her first impressions. "And you can tell how much she loves the game; she just makes it look so easy." Already a patient hitter, Flores will have that virtue tested without Samantha Ricketts behind her in the order (opponents intentionally walked Flores just four times last season). But just about the only thing the All-American doesn't do is pitch, and that is where Ricketts can provide some cover. It's not entirely fair to lay Oklahoma's postseason disappointments at the feet of the pitching staff. In 2008, D.J. Mathis threw three NCAA tournament shutouts, and Mathis wasn't on the hook for the stunning 1-0, 11-inning loss against North Dakota State that threw open last year's regional in Norman, Okla. (she pitched 8.1 shutout innings in that game). But it's also true that since Kami Keiter graduated after the 2005 season, no pitcher for the Sooners has put herself in the mix for the program's top five in career ERA. There have been some good pitchers recently; there haven't been great pitchers. That's a high bar to set, but it's what happens when you add a national championship to the trophy case. With a four-person staff, including the much-sought freshman duo of Ricketts and Michelle Gascoigne, the resources at least appear to be in place for a change.Graham Hays covers softball for ESPN.com. E-mail him at Graham.Hays@espn3.com.
