After Week 4 of the college softball season, here’s my updated Power 10 rankings.
1. Texas (Previous: 1)
Texas stays on top after securing three run-rule wins last week. Despite one loss this season, the Longhorns remain at No. 1 over undefeated Oklahoma because I value strength of schedule and ranked wins heavily in my power rankings. With three top-25 wins so far this season, Texas continues to hold its ground as the top team.
2. Oklahoma (Previous: 2)
Oklahoma stays put at No. 2 after improving to 19-0. The Sooners won all five of their games last week in run-rule fashion, including a season-high 17 runs scored on Sunday. With tough matchups ahead and SEC play starting soon, OU will be tested in the coming weeks.
3. Florida (Previous: 3)
Florida remains No. 3, winning all five of its games in run-rule fashion. While the Gators continue to dominate, they have a significant series coming up this week against Texas A&M to kick off SEC play.
4. Arizona (Previous: 7)
Arizona makes a huge leap to No. 4 after going undefeated at the Judi Garman Classic. The Wildcats earned impressive wins over UCLA, Cal State Fullerton, San Diego State and Notre Dame. Their 9-8 win over rival UCLA in 10 innings was an instant classic. Kaiah Altmeyer and Regan Shockey both went 3-for-4, and four Wildcats drove in two RBIs each.
Missed it? Check it out: No. 10 Arizona softball beats No. 4 UCLA in back-and-forth extra-innings battle
5. LSU (Previous: 5)
LSU remains at No. 5 with three ranked wins on the season. The Tigers picked up a huge top-5 win over UCLA by a single run, but followed it up with a loss to Cal State Fullerton. Sydney Berzon went the distance in the circle for the win over the Bruins.
6. Texas A&M (Previous: 6)
Texas A&M stays at No. 6 after splitting a two-game series with Texas Tech, adding another ranked win to their resume. The Aggies face a major challenge this week with a crucial series against Florida.
7. UCLA (Previous: 4)
UCLA drops to No. 7 after suffering two losses last week, both to top-10 teams — LSU and Arizona. The loss to LSU came by just one run in a tightly contested game, while its rivalry matchup against Arizona was a back-and-forth affair that the Wildcats ultimately won in 10 innings.
8. Florida State (Previous: 9)
Florida State holds steady at No. 8, with three losses on the season but a strong showing last week with five run-rule victories. The Seminoles continue to prove themselves as a top contender.
9. South Carolina (Previous: NR)
South Carolina enters the Power 10 at No. 9 with a 19-0 start to the season. The Gamecocks just completed a series sweep of a top-10 team in Duke.
Get your brooms out: No. 21 South Carolina sweeps No. 9 Duke softball
Arianna Rodi, a former Charlotte star who transferred to South Carolina, had an outstanding week, batting .615 with 12 RBIs, eight hits, six runs, four home runs and two doubles. With a dominant series sweep to start the season, South Carolina now enters SEC play as a top-10 team in my rankings.
10. Oregon (Previous: NR)
Oregon rounds out the Power 10 at No. 10, with a 20-1 record. The Ducks have impressive wins over Tennessee and Missouri and are gearing up for a big matchup against Florida State this week.
First teams out:
Tennessee and Arkansas just missed the cut but are still in the hunt for a spot in the Power 10.
