A dominant pitching staff can make all the difference in college softball, and in 2025, a few teams have separated themselves with elite arms. From strikeout leaders to pitchers who limit opposing offenses, these squads have proven they have the deepest and most reliable rotations in the country.
Here’s a breakdown of three teams with the most stacked pitching staffs this season.
*All stats through March 10, 2025
Oklahoma
The four-time defending national champion Oklahoma Sooners are showing no signs of slowing down, and a big reason for their undefeated start is their dominant pitching rotation. Oklahoma boasts a 1.78 team ERA, holding opponents to a .190 batting average while striking out 145 batters in 138.0 innings.
Key pitchers:
| Pitcher | ERA | WHIP | W-L | IP | SO | B/AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kierston Deal | 1.27 | 0.97 | 5-0 | 33.0 | 19 | .198 |
| Sam Landry | 1.47 | 0.81 | 5-0 | 33.1 | 54 | .190 |
| Audrey Lowry | 2.02 | 0.72 | 5-0 | 27.2 | 27 | .180 |
| Isabella Smith | 2.19 | 1.03 | 6-0 | 32.0 | 31 | .200 |
What makes Oklahoma’s staff special is its depth and versatility. After losing their top-two innings leaders from last season in Kelly Maxwell and Nicole May, the Sooners don’t rely on just one ace this year — they have four pitchers who have thrown at least 27 innings and each has an ERA under 2.50.
Freshman Audrey Lowry has already made an impact, tossing a complete-game three-hitter in Oklahoma’s 2-1 win over No. 10 South Carolina on March 9. Meanwhile, Sam Landry leads the team in strikeouts (54) and boasts a WHIP under 1.00. Junior Kierston Deal leads in starts (seven), appearances (11) and ERA (1.27).
The Sooners' 22-game winning streak to start the season is fueled by their ability to dominate opposing hitters, and this deep staff is a nightmare for lineups to face.
Tennessee
Tennessee’s 1-2 punch of Karlyn Pickens and Sage Mardjetko is one of the best in the nation, but what sets the Lady Vols apart is their overall staff depth. The team owns a Division I-best 0.93 ERA through March 10, allowing just 31 earned runs in 150 innings.
Key pitchers:
| Pitcher | ERA | WHIP | W-L | IP | SO | B/AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erin Nuwer | 0.49 | 0.74 | 4-0 | 28.1 | 32 | .128 |
| Karlyn Pickens | 0.76 | 0.80 | 6-3 | 55.0 | 87 | .151 |
| Sage Mardjetko | 1.62 | 0.76 | 7-1 | 47.2 | 70 | .125 |
| Peyton Tanner | 0.00 | 0.47 | 3-0 | 12.2 | 11 | .095 |
Tennessee’s pitching dominance was on full display in its SEC series win over then-No. 13 Georgia, where Pickens and Mardjetko shut down one of the most explosive offenses in the conference.
Pickens leads the staff with 87 strikeouts in 55 innings, while freshman Erin Nuwer has posted a ridiculous 0.49 ERA, allowing just 12 hits in 28.1 innings.
With three different pitchers who have tossed at least three complete games, Tennessee has the ability to overwhelm teams.
Florida State
Florida State’s staff isn’t just deep — it’s clutch. The Seminoles have four pitchers with at least 30 innings pitched, and three of them have ERAs under 1.75. Five different pitchers have started at least four games so far. Their ability to shut down offenses in big moments has fueled a strong 20-5 start, despite a challenging non-conference schedule.
Key pitchers:
| Pitcher | ERA | WHIP | W-L | IP | SO | B/AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annabelle Widra | 1.15 | 0.86 | 5-1 | 30.1 | 18 | .214 |
| Ashtyn Danley | 1.36 | 1.00 | 4-1 | 36.0 | 35 | .214 |
| Julia Apsel | 1.60 | 1.00 | 7-0 | 35.0 | 39 | .211 |
| Jazzy Francik | 2.25 | 1.04 | 3-2 | 37.1 | 36 | .233 |
Freshman Julia Apsel leads the team with 39 strikeouts and a 7-0 record, while Annabelle Widra’s 1.15 ERA is among the best in the ACC.
With four reliable arms, the Seminoles have the pitching depth to compete for another deep postseason run.
