The pitchers’ duels that once dominated college softball are less common with teams across the country scoring runs and hitting homers at unprecedented levels.
As the Women’s College World Series gets ready to start Thursday in Oklahoma City, teams are on pace to set NCAA records for the second straight season in national batting average, homers and runs.
“It’s crazy,” said Tennessee first baseman Taylor Koenig, who leads her team with 17 homers. “It’s just a hitter’s game now.”
Last season featured NCAA records in national batting average (.275), runs (4.4 for each team per game) and homers (0.68 for each team per game). This season, the national batting average is up to .287 and totals also have increased in runs (4.8 for each team per game) and homers (0.77 for each team per game).
Just two years ago, eventual national champion Oklahoma was the only team to average over 6.85 runs per game. This season, 18 schools have exceeded that mark.