Fernandezs resume speaks for itself, so its no surprise she is always considered as one of the games all-time greats. The NCAA championship has been held in Oklahoma City since 1990, but college softball crowned its first official champion in 1982. One of the most popular numbers to wear in most sports if allowed is the famous double zero or 00. They include the runs scored, home runs, hits, batting average, and slugging percentage. All of which is remarkable, considering she already was one of the most dominant pitchers in college softball history by the time she finished at Tennessee. Lauren Chamberlain honored as top vote-getter by fans (3:36), Introducing ESPN's greatest all-time college softball team, Unparalleled talent, unapologetic exuberance and an Oklahoma team on the verge of history. One player at every position. It was actually the third consecutive national title for Clark after she led Central Arizona Junior College to back-to-back titles under head coach Mike Candrea, who would eventually win eight national championships at the University of Arizona. Munro has developed into a seriously clutch hitter for Team USA, but defense made her famous with the Gators. Bruce Meade 3. Named the most famous softball player in history by TIME, Jennie Finch struck out three players at the 2004 Pepsi All-Star Softball Game: Albert Pujols, Brian Giles, and Mike Piazza, gaining popularity along the way. Swinging at the first pitch, she hit the ball almost directly over the left-field foul pole to end what was then the longest championship-round game in nearly three decades. Key players: Jennie Finch, Toni Mascarenas, Lauren Bauer, Leah Manuma, Nicole Giordano. All-American outfielder Kaitlin Cochran was the tip of the spear when it came to the offense, with a .439 batting average one year after winning the NCAA batting title with a .492 batting average. Where does Natasha Watley belong in the GOAT hitting lineup? Mims played a variety of positions at UCLA, even winning All-American honors at third base and utility. Osterman has her share, from the bittersweet-but-epic semifinal loss against UCLA in 2003 to NCAA records and awards in amounts not seen before or since (not to mention Olympic gold). Garcia has been a star in college softball for the past few years. She was always a little ahead of her time, which is one of her strongest credentials as an all-time great but also what sometimes keeps her from getting her due. Two Olympic gold medals, three Pan American Games gold medals, two World Cup gold medals, as well as a National Pro Fastpitch championship with the Akron Racers. Cochran also scored 86 runs in 71 games and set the NCAA record with 29 intentional walks. Jennie Finch 5. Key players: Kylee Hanson, Jessie Warren, Sydney Sherrill. A born Texan, Osterman is somewhat of a legend at the University of Texas. She also posted a .49 WHIP and a .50 earned run average over 1105.2 innings of work while striking out 2265 batters. One of the most significant aspects of fastpitch softball comes from pitching with the unique underarm windmill-style pitch that can be difficult to hit. I love it for its little nuances, the strategy involved, the drama of a close game, late innings situation, and its deep history. She won the Honda award for the best player in softball two consecutive yearsand thentook home the Honda Broderick Cup for the collegiate female athlete of the year last season. One softball player loaded with accolades over her playing career is Leah OBrien. Arguably the most popular softball player of all time, Jennie Finch's list of accomplishments is nothing short of extraordinary. It was something else that drove Lowe to try and go through it in pursuit of greatness. Over four years of playing with the Cowgirls, Smith pitched to an astonishing .75 earned run average while allowing just 76 runs over 707.1 innings of work. The only woman voted to this team who played the entirety of her college career before 2000, O'Brien-Amico was a part of all three U.S. teams that won gold in the Olympics and also a part of three Arizona national championships. Finchs media presence, her appearance on the cover of the Sports Illustrated, and even her performance at the MLB All-Star game striking out Albert Pujols. But she could have retired to a deserted island the day after playing her final game for UCLA and still been the best all-around shortstop in NCAA history. In two seasons with the Bruins, Richardson posted a .331 batting average, with 25 runs batted in and 97 hits. Key players: Nina Lindenberg, Laura Berg, Amanda Scott, Becky Witt. And in many ways more impressive. With team USA, where she played an outfielder, she has won gold in 2004, and silver in 2008. Florida State became the first ACC team to win the Women's College World Series in 2018 after having been a mainstay at the WCWS almost since its inception. UCLA won a national championship with a star pitcher who also possessed one of the greatest sports names of all time. In addition, Alo was recently drafted number one overall by the Smash It Vipers, who play in the new Womens Professional Fastpitch league. Here are the top 5 best softball players of all time. The four-time MVP of the Women's Major Fastpitch National Championship, Dot owns two Olympic Gold Medals for her time as the shortstop for team USA. They were also the first team east of the Mississippi River to win it all. OBrien, who played her college softball with the Arizona Wildcats as well as Team USA, made the game look easy. 2 Arizona in the national championship game. She was a two-time All-American and ended her career as Florida's all-time leader in hits, runs, total bases, triples, stolen bases, batting average and on-base percentage. After losing the season opener to Cal State Northridge, the Bruins reeled off 21 straight wins. Jennie Finch wrapped up her college career with a 119-16 overall pitching record, 1,028 strikeouts, and a 1.08 earned run average. Jessica Mendoza Honorable Mentions FAQ Who are the top 6 best women's softball players of all time? Key players: Shawn Andaya, Julie Smith Liz Mizera. Reality is more interesting. By the time she was a junior, the Cardinal didn't just reach the 2001 World Series but came within a run of playing for the national championship -- thanks in no small part to Mendoza's diving catch in an elimination game against rival Cal. Fernandez is currently an assistant coach for the women's softball team at UCLA. 2023 NCAA | Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. UCLA softball: The best players in Bruins' history, How Jenavee Peres juggles being a mom and student athlete, Jordy Bahl commands Oklahoma past FSU to take a 1-0 WCWS finals lead, Makeup challenge with WCWS star Michaela Edenfield, Oklahoma softball's undeniable sparkplug is Rylie Boone | Q&A, Florida State vs. Tennessee: 2023 Women's College World Series semifinals highlights, Oklahoma and Stanford's thrilling WCWS semifinal extra inning finish, Oklahoma vs. Stanford: 2023 Women's College World Series highlights, Tennessee vs. Oklahoma State: 2023 Women's College World Series, Stanford vs. Washington: 2023 Women's College World Series highlights, Florida State vs. Washington: 2023 Women's College World Series highlights, Women's College World Series schedule, dates, bracket, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. And Mendoza has. In 216 career at-bats at the Olympics, OBrien batted .338 with 50 runs batted in. Did she sidearm her throw to second base for the out while sprawled completely prone in the dirt at shortstop? Trailing by three runs in the 11th inning, Oklahoma rallied to win on a walk-off home run by Lauren Chamberlain for a 5-3 win in the 12th inning. Among the most notable names of womens fastpitch softball players over the past 20 years is the former Texas Longhorns and Team USA pitcher Cat Osterman. Finch had the second-best ERA in the country in 2001, but also the second-best ERA entering the title game. Mike Macenko 2. Key players: Keilani Ricketts, Lauren Chamberlain, Shelby Pendley, Brianna Turang. In her senior season, Fernandez led the country with the lowest ERA, and the highest batting average (.510). Maybe not. Is your favorite player on this list? Arguably the most popular softball player of all time, Jennie Finchs list of accomplishments is nothing short of extraordinary. In addition, Romero was a three-time All-Big Ten First Team selection, Big Ten Tournament MVP, and even the Big Ten Triple Crown. Dot Richardson 3. On top of that, Osterman had the most perfect games in her career with nine. After retiring from softball, Dot Richardson spent her time coaching and also became an orthopedic surgeon. 11- Rachel Garcia (2017-2021) Frequently Asked Questions Who is the best NCCA Softball Pitcher? After losing back-to-back games to lose the 2012 national championship series against Alabama, she was named WCWS Most Oustanding Player in 2013. Even former major league catcher Doug Mirabelli, a volunteer coach for the Gators during her career, marveled at her ability to whip the ball around the diamond from her knees -- lessons learned at the feet of former UCLA defensive standout Jen Schroeder. The Gatorade National Softball Player of the Year for her final prep season, Bahl lived up to enormous expectations by sliding with ease into the ace role left behind by former Sooners star Giselle Juarez, the experienced hurler who led the OU rotation during its 2021 national title run. Here is a look at some famous softball players and their positions that rank as some of the best softball players of all time. Abbott is the NCAA strikeout king with 2,440 strikeouts. All-American pitcher Debbie Doom set an NCAA record that stood for 15 years by throwing 102 consecutive scoreless innings. UCLA current stars: How Jenavee Peres juggles being a mom and student athlete. Enter your information to receive emails about offers, promotions from NCAA.com and our partners. Finch's fame in the nascent days of the internet was great and all, but it overshadowed the most dominant pitching season in NCAA history. The Super Regionals are set in the 2023 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament. Finch is beautiful and one of the best softball players to play the game of softball. Her playing career landed her in the National Softball Hall of Fame while also winning multiple awards during her playing career. The outfield and pitching circle take us back a few years, at least, but only one player who played her entire college career before 2000 made the cut (the NCAA began sponsoring softball in 1982). Jessica Mendoza, Jen Schroeder, Michele Smith, Holly Rowe and Amanda Scarborough debate how to set up the batting lineup on the greatest team of all-time. Jessica Mendoza Stanford Cardinal, Team USA, 4. Lacey Fincher, 1B, Georgia The senior first baseman could be one of the strongest players in the nation. Your email address will not be published. Mendoza became the first female broadcaster in the booth for ESPN's College World Series and Major League Baseball in 2015. Fernandez led UCLA to two NCAA Women's College World Series titles, won the Honda-Broderick Cup, and was a three-time winner of the Honda Award, which is presented to the nation's best softball player. After playing at the varsity level, he decided to change it up a bit. The . That player is Cat Osterman, who put together a storybook career, including winning both a Gold Medal and Silver medal for Team USA. The four-time MVP of the Women's Major Fastpitch National Championship, Dot owns two Olympic Gold Medals for her time as the shortstop for team USA. The former Stanford Cardinals holds numerous NCAA records, was a four-time First Team All-American, a member of the United States women's national softball team from 2004 to 2010, and played professionally in National Pro Fastpitch. While it is not often you hear much talk about the best male slow pitch softball player of all time, however when you do, Mike Macenko is one name that is always involved. Who is considered the Greatest Softball Player ever? Not five in a game. With no time to use her glove, Cooper plucked the ball out of the air barehanded and cocked to throw in almost the same motion. The Noles' 0.76 postseason ERA is the best among all teams headed to Oklahoma City. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. 12. Mendoza, who also appeared on the 2004 and 2008 Team USA teams that took home a Gold Medal and Silver Medal, now does color commentating for the Los Angeles Dodgers and MLB. She gave up four runs and trailed Oklahoma in the next game before the Wildcats rallied for an extra-inning win. One of the most dominant softball players of All-Time, Lisa Fernandez, was a three-time Gold Medal standout and a two-time National Champion with the UCLA Bruins. This left-handed softball pitcher from the University of Texas still claims the NCAA Division I records for strikeout ratio (14.34), WHIP, and perfect games (seven). Florida's season wasn't without adversity. Arizona Wildcat is one of my favorites of all times! Why Florida State's ace took a step back so her team could leap forward at the WCWS, How WCWS memorable moments changed softball, The best Women's College World Series moments and NCAA softball players we've seen, How Oklahoma City, home of the WCWS, became the center of the softball universe. Jennie Finch Arizona Wildcats & Team USA, Cat Osterman Texas Longhorns & Team USA, Nicole Sis Bates AKA Sis Bates Washington Huskies, Sierra Romero Michigan Wolverines & Team USA, Jessica Mendoza- Stanford Cardinals & Team USA, Odicci Alexander James Madison University, 8 & 38 Cat Osterman (Texas Longhorns & Team USA). The Titans were at their best when it mattered most. He would go on to coach 17 more seasons at Sam Houston State. 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