Softball Preseason Top 25 Rankings
January 20, 2013 · CSM Staff
The Softball Preseason Top 25 is filled in as the Softball Top 44 Team Previews are released each day until opening day of the 2013 Softball Season
| Rank | Team | Comments | Prior | |
| 1 |  |
Oklahoma | 2012 National Runner-Up. National Player of the Year, Ricketts and every key piece returns. Will be formidable. | |
| 2 |  |
Alabama | Won 1st National Title in program history. Lost 5 key Seniors. Look to win 4th straight SEC regular season title. | |
| 3 |  |
California | 2012 Pac-12 Champs. National Semi-Finalist. Henderson returns. Will battle AZ St. and Oregon for Pac-12 Title. | |
| 4 |  |
Arizona State | 2012 Pac 12 Runner Up and National Semi-Finalist. Escobedo returns and loaded with talented players. | |
| 5 |  |
Georgia | Bulldogs missed WCWS, losing in SR for second straight year. Decorated freshman class looks to make noise. | |
| 6 |  |
Oregon | The Ducks and Coach Mike White continue their upward trajectory, reaching the WCWS for the first time in 2012. | |
| 7 |  |
Tennessee | The Vols should be outstanding in all phases of the game. Will challenge for SEC supremacy and in the hunt late. | |
| 8 |  |
LSU | Solid in the circle, the Tigers will need increase offensive production to improve on last season’s WCWS trip. | |
| 9 |  |
Louisiana | The Ragin Cajuns can be an offensive powerhouse even without Orgeron. A tough non-conference schedule. | |
| 10 |  |
South Florida | After a ground breaking season reaching the WCWS for the first time, Lady Bulls have a quality chance to get back. | |
| 11 |  |
Florida | Failed to reach the WCWS for the first time in four years. A little retooling after a tumultuous end of 2012. | |
| 12 |  |
Arizona | Fourth in Pac-12 last season and fell short of the WCWS for the 2nd straight year. Pitching will still be a question. | |
| 13 |  |
Missouri | Chelsea Thomas returns for her senior year. Moving into the gauntlet that is the SEC will challenge the Tigers. | |
| 14 |  |
Washington | Eighth in the Pac-12 ahead of only Utah. Lost to Cal in Super Regional. Should rebound in 2013 in the league. | |
| 15 |  |
Michigan | Michigan looks to make resurgence and success in the postseason. Should repeat as Big Ten Champs. | |
| 16 |  |
UCLA | The Bruins missed Super Regionals for 2nd straight season. Need production in circle to help the solid offense. | |
| 17 |  |
Texas | Blair Luna is back in the circle. Will need to replace significant offense and loss of number two pitcher. | |
| 18 |  |
Stanford | The Cardinal had an outstanding year on offense. All-American Jenna Rich and Teagan Gerhart will lead the way. | |
| 19 |  |
Texas A&M | Mel Dumezich returns for Coach Evans who continues to reload year after year. New conference, new challenges. | |
| 20 |  |
Louisville | 55-5 and Big East Champs in 2012, their best season ever. Majority of the starting lineup, except pitchers are back. | |
| 21 |  |
Notre Dame | Big East Runner Up, Irish finished 40-16. Coach Gumpf leads an experienced group with a solid 1-2 in the circle. | |
| 22 |  |
Houston | The Cougars bring back their entire pitching staff and the offense of All-American Haley Outon. | |
| 23 |  |
North Carolina | The Tar Heels will be a veteran lineup with the return of their complete pitching staff anchored by Spingola. | |
| 24 |  |
Baylor | The 2011 National Semi-Finalist get All-American Pitcher Whitney Canion back. Improved on offense. | |
| 25 |  |
Florida State | 2012 ACC Runner-Up return veteran lineup including key pieces of a bullpen that ranked 10th in ERA nationally. | |
