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Best pitchers? Hitters to watch? Early favorites? We preview the 2026 softball regionals

Bill Connelly picks top players, teams and what to watch for in the 2026 college softball regionals.

Chad Hamilton/Icon Sportswire

How Belmont's Maya Johnson managed lupus to become the country's most dominant pitcher

The Bruins ace was turned away by major programs for medical reasons. Now, in the postseason, she's looking to beat them.

Belmont Athletics

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TOP OF THE CLASS

2026 college baseball ace rankings: The best starting pitchers

Who are the top pitchers in college baseball this season? Kiley McDaniel ranks his top 10.

Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Updated 2026 MLB draft rankings: Top 85 prospects and a 13-pick mock draft

The top of the 2026 MLB draft is coming into focus. Here's who your team could be targeting this summer.

Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

'Don't move on, just move forward': How hockey helped Michigan's Michael Hage overcome tragedy

Fueled by the memory of his father, the Wolverines star returns to Las Vegas for the Frozen Four.

Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire

How NIL, big-money schools are impacting college hockey

Can competitive balance survive in the sport with the widest variety of athletic programs?

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NCAA Baseball

The strongest arm in softball Karlyn Pickens is chasing 80mph

Tennessee's Pickens put the softball world on notice long ago with her unmatched velocity and as she continues to shine as one of the sports brightest stars her power only grows.

4:38

NCAA Baseball

Highlight: Tennessee takes thrilling series opener at Oklahoma

The Volunteers get a tight win over the Sooners in a game that had 24 total hits as Tennessee gets home runs from Henry Ford and Levi Clark in the 9-7 win.

0:57

NCAA Baseball

Highlight: Dylan Volantis dominates on the mound, No. 6 Texas handles Mizzou

Volantis deals 11 Ks and gives up two hits in seven innings as Casey Borba and Carson Tinney each blast a home run to power the Longhorns to a 6-3 win over the Tigers.

1:13

NCAA Baseball

Highlight: Tim Corbin collects 1,100th win, Vandy spins heat against Gamecocks

Connor Fennell throws seven Ks in 6.1 innings while Alex Kranzler deals four strikeouts and gives up no hits in 2.2 innings to lift the Commodores over South Carolina, 9-1.

1:16

NCAA Baseball

Highlight: Kentucky takes down No. 12 Arkansas in series opener

Ethan Hindle goes 3-for-4 with a two-run homer in the first inning as the Wildcats take Game 1 of their final series of the regular season, 4-3, over the Razorbacks.

0:46

NCAA Baseball

Highlight: No. 13 MS State uses 13-run third inning to defeat No. 10 Texas A&M

The Bulldogs erupt for 13 runs in the third inning and do not look back as Mississippi State homers four times in an offensive showcase, 18-11, over the Aggies.

2:07

NCAA Baseball

Highlight: No. 19 Florida prevents LSU's late comeback attempt

Ethan Surowiec drills a grand slam to fuel the Gators' six-run first inning while Aidan King fires in seven strikeouts as they overpower the Tigers, 11-8.

1:04

NCAA Baseball

Highlight: No. 4 Georgia holds off No. 5 Auburn, sets program record

Joey Volchko and Matt Scott each pour in six Ks while Ryan Wynn and Daniel Jackson go yard as the Bulldogs set a program record with 22 SEC wins on the season in the 2-1 victory over the Tigers.

1:58

NCAA Baseball

Jacob Parker discusses how No. 13 Bulldogs' offense pressures defenses

Parker says that Mississippi State's high-powered offense is never out of the game following an impressive 18-run night as they take Game 1 against No. 10 Texas A&M.

1:50

Bulldogs

NCAA Baseball

UGA's Daniel Jackson reacts to setting program record in SEC wins

Jackson credits the No. 4 Bulldogs' Buc-ee's trips to setting a program record in SEC victories as he is stacked with Sour Power candy after taking down No. 5 Auburn.

3:34

NCAA Baseball

Highlight: No. 18 Bama rallies for seventh-straight SEC win, knocks off No. 15 Ole Miss

Justin Lebron leads the charge with a home run and three RBI while Tyler Fay fans 11 Rebels' batters in seven innings as the Crimson Tide use a three-run seventh inning to earn a 5-4 win.

2:06

NCAA Baseball

Dylan Volantis gives credit to his Longhorn teammates following win

Volantis discusses how his mindset never shifts from getting outs and staying dominant on the mound no matter the circumstances following his win on the mound over Missouri.

2:28

Crimson Tide

NCAA Softball

Patrick Murphy on importance of Bama remaining humble in NCAA tourney

Murphy describes the composure he expects the Crimson Tide to keep throughout the NCAA Tournament and emphasizes how respect for other players correlates with how a game plays out.

4:45

NCAA Baseball

Ethan Hindle says Kentucky's aggressive play is fueling hot streak

Hindle discusses how Wildcats are playing their best baseball of the season by leaning into their aggressive playstyle as he reviews his stellar night at the plate.

1:59

NCAA Baseball

Which SEC standout will take home the Golden Spikes Award?

SEC Now analyst Jared Mitchell reviews the past winners before discussing the 10 SEC Golden Spikes semifinalists and gives his choice on whom will take home the hardware.

1:56

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