2023 NCAA Softball Tournament regional and Women's College World Series predictions

The 2023 NCAA Softball Tournament field is set, and the race to Oklahoma City and the Women's College World Series is on.

The quest for the eight teams who will compete for the national championship begins with 16 NCAA regionals that start Friday and run through Sunday. Each regional is hosted by a national seed and includes three other teams in double-elimination format. The winner of each regional will advance to a best-of-three super regional for a pot in the WCWS.

Writers from across the USA Today Sports Network have made their picks for the winner of each regional and who will win the WCWS.

FULL SCHEDULE:NCAA softball tournament 2023: Schedule, bracket, game times, TV info, previous champions

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Norman Regional

Ryan Aber, The Oklahoman: Oklahoma

Cory Diaz, The Daily Advertiser: Oklahoma

Maxwell Donaldson, Tuscaloosa News: Oklahoma

Cora Hall, Knoxville News Sentinel: Oklahoma

Thomas Jones, Austin American-Statesman: Oklahoma

Ainslie Lee, The Gainesville Sun: Oklahoma

Christina Long, Greenville News: Oklahoma

Tyler Tachman, The Indianapolis Star: Oklahoma

Jack Williams, Tallahassee Democrat: Oklahoma 

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Los Angeles Regional

Ryan Aber, The Oklahoman: UCLA

Cory Diaz, The Daily Advertiser: UCLA

Maxwell Donaldson, Tuscaloosa News: UCLA

Cora Hall, Knoxville News Sentinel: UCLA

Thomas Jones, Austin American-Statesman: UCLA 

Ainslie Lee, The Gainesville Sun: UCLA

Christina Long, Greenville News: UCLA

Tyler Tachman, The Indianapolis Star: UCLA

Jack Williams, Tallahassee Democrat: UCLA 

Tallahassee Regional

More:Tallahassee Regional breakdown: Analysis of FSU softball's opponents

Ryan Aber, The Oklahoman: Florida State

Cory Diaz, The Daily Advertiser: Florida State

Maxwell Donaldson, Tuscaloosa News: Florida State

Cora Hall, Knoxville News Sentinel: South Carolina

Thomas Jones, Austin American-Statesman: Florida State 

Ainslie Lee, The Gainesville Sun: Florida State

Christina Long, Greenville News: Florida State

Tyler Tachman, The Indianapolis Star: Florida State

Jack Williams, Tallahassee Democrat: Florida State 

Knoxville Regional

Ryan Aber, The Oklahoman: Tennessee

Maxwell Donaldson, Tuscaloosa News: Tennessee

Cory Diaz, The Daily Advertiser: Tennessee

Cora Hall, Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee

Thomas Jones, Austin American-Statesman: Tennessee 

Ainslie Lee, The Gainesville Sun: Tennessee

Christina Long, Greenville News: Tennessee

Tyler Tachman, The Indianapolis Star: Indiana

Jack Williams, Tallahassee Democrat: Tennessee  

Tuscaloosa Regional

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Ryan Aber, The Oklahoman: Alabama

Cory Diaz, The Daily Advertiser: Alabama

Maxwell Donaldson, Tuscaloosa News: Alabama

Cora Hall, Knoxville News Sentinel: Central Arkansas

Thomas Jones, Austin American-Statesman: Alabama 

Ainslie Lee, The Gainesville Sun: Alabama

Christina Long, Greenville News: Central Arkansas

Tyler Tachman, The Indianapolis Star: Alabama

Jack Williams, Tallahassee Democrat: Alabama 

Stillwater Regional

Ryan Aber, The Oklahoman: Wichita State

Cory Diaz, The Daily Advertiser: Oklahoma State

Maxwell Donaldson, Tuscaloosa News: Wichita State

Cora Hall, Knoxville News Sentinel: Wichita State

Thomas Jones, Austin American-Statesman: Wichita State 

Ainslie Lee, The Gainesville Sun: Wichita State

Christina Long, Greenville News: Oklahoma State

Tyler Tachman, The Indianapolis Star: Wichita State

Jack Williams, Tallahassee Democrat: Oklahoma State 

More:Why is Oklahoma State the No. 6 overall seed in NCAA softball tournament? Three little words

Seattle Regional

Ryan Aber, The Oklahoman: Washington

Cory Diaz, The Daily Advertiser: Washington

Maxwell Donaldson, Tuscaloosa News: Washington

Cora Hall, Knoxville News Sentinel: Washington

Thomas Jones, Austin American-Statesman: Washington 

Ainslie Lee, The Gainesville Sun: Washington

Christina Long, Greenville News: Minnesota

Thomas Jones, Austin American-Statesman: Washington 

Tyler Tachman, The Indianapolis Star: Minnesota 

Jack Williams, Tallahassee Democrat: Washington 

Durham Regional

Ryan Aber, The Oklahoman: Duke

Cory Diaz, The Daily Advertiser: Duke

Maxwell Donaldson, Tuscaloosa News: Duke

Cora Hall, Knoxville News Sentinel: Charlotte

Thomas Jones, Austin American-Statesman: Duke 

Ainslie Lee, The Gainesville Sun: Duke

Christina Long, Greenville News: Duke

Tyler Tachman, The Indianapolis Star: Campbell

Jack Williams, Tallahassee Democrat: Duke 

Stanford Regional

Ryan Aber, The Oklahoman: Stanford

Cory Diaz, The Daily Advertiser: Florida

Maxwell Donaldson, Tuscaloosa News: Florida

Cora Hall, Knoxville News Sentinel: Stanford

Thomas Jones, Austin American-Statesman: Stanford 

Ainslie Lee, The Gainesville Sun: Florida

Christina Long, Greenville News: Stanford

Tyler Tachman, The Indianapolis Star: Florida

Jack Williams, Tallahassee Democrat: Stanford 

Baton Rouge Regional

Ryan Aber, The Oklahoman: LSU

Cory Diaz, The Daily Advertiser: LSU

Maxwell Donaldson, Tuscaloosa News: LSU

Cora Hall, Knoxville News Sentinel: Louisiana

Thomas Jones, Austin American-Statesman: Louisiana 

Ainslie Lee, The Gainesville Sun: LSU

Christina Long, Greenville News: Louisiana

Tyler Tachman, The Indianapolis Star: LSU

Jack Williams, Tallahassee Democrat: Louisiana 

Fayetteville Regional

Ryan Aber, The Oklahoman: Arkansas

Cory Diaz. The Daily Advertiser: Oregon

Maxwell Donaldson, Tuscaloosa News: Oregon

Cora Hall, Knoxville News Sentinel: Oregon

Thomas Jones, Austin American-Statesman: Arkansas 

Ainslie Lee, The Gainesville Sun: Arkansas

Christina Long, Greenville News: Arkansas

Tyler Tachman, The Indianapolis Star: Arkansas

Jack Williams, Tallahassee Democrat: Arkansas 

Evanston Regional

Ryan Aber, The Oklahoman: Kentucky

Cory Diaz, The Daily Advertiser: Northwestern

Maxwell Donaldson, Tuscaloosa News: Northwestern

Cora Hall, Knoxville News Sentinel: Northwestern

Thomas Jones, Austin American-Statesman: Northwestern 

Ainslie Lee, The Gainesville Sun: Northwestern

Christina Long, Greenville News: Northwestern

Tyler Tachman, The Indianapolis Star: Northwestern

Jack Williams, Tallahassee Democrat: Northwestern 

Austin Regional

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Ryan Aber, The Oklahoman: Texas

Cory Diaz, The Daily Advertiser: Texas

Maxwell Donaldson, Tuscaloosa News: Texas State 

Cora Hall, Knoxville News Sentinel: Texas A&M

Thomas Jones, Austin American-Statesman: Texas 

Ainslie Lee, The Gainesville Sun: Texas

Christina Long, Greenville News: Texas

Tyler Tachman, The Indianapolis Star: Texas

Jack Williams, Tallahassee Democrat: Texas 

Athens Regional

Ryan Aber, The Oklahoman: Georgia

Cory Diaz, The Daily Advertiser: Virginia Tech

Maxwell Donaldson, Tuscaloosa News: Virginia Tech

Cora Hall, Knoxville News Sentinel: Georgia

Thomas Jones, Austin American-Statesman: Georgia 

Ainslie Lee, The Gainesville Sun: Georgia

Christina Long, Greenville News: Georgia

Tyler Tachman, The Indianapolis Star: Boston University

Jack Williams, Tallahassee Democrat: Virginia Tech 

Salt Lake City Regional

Ryan Aber, The Oklahoman: Utah

Cory Diaz, The Daily Advertiser: Baylor

Maxwell Donaldson, Tuscaloosa News: Baylor

Cora Hall, Knoxville News Sentinel: Baylor

Thomas Jones, Austin American-Statesman: Baylor 

Ainslie Lee, The Gainesville Sun: Baylor

Christina Long, Greenville News: Utah

Tyler Tachman, The Indianapolis Star: Baylor

Jack Williams, Tallahassee Democrat: Baylor

Clemson Regional

More:How Clemson softball's pitchers — not just Valerie Cagle — can give the Tigers a postseason run

Ryan Aber, The Oklahoman: Auburn

Cory Diaz, The Daily Advertiser: Auburn

Maxwell Donaldson, Tuscaloosa News: Auburn

Cora Hall, Knoxville News Sentinel: Auburn

Thomas Jones, Austin American-Statesman: Clemson 

Ainslie Lee, The Gainesville Sun: Auburn

Christina Long, Greenville News: Clemson

Tyler Tachman, The Indianapolis Star: Auburn

Jack Williams, Tallahassee Democrat: Auburn  

WCWS winner

Ryan Aber, The Oklahoman: Oklahoma. The Sooners have the best offense, pitching and defense in the nation and did it against one of the toughest schedules around. Oklahoma gets it done once again, becoming the first team since UCLA in 1988-90 to win three consecutive titles.

Cory Diaz, The Daily Advertiser: Florida State. While everyone else on this list will likely pick Oklahoma, I'm going to go with the Seminoles, who lost to the Sooners in the title series two seasons ago. FSU has two star pitchers and reaches base at a 41% rate on offense.

Maxwell Donaldson, Tuscaloosa News: Oklahoma. Sometimes the safe and obvious pick is the only one to make. Oklahoma has steamrolled the sport the last three years, and that won’t change this postseason.

Cora Hall, Knoxville News Sentinel: Oklahoma. With the way the Sooners have played this season, it’s hard to imagine it doesn’t end in a three-peat. Oklahoma has been (nearly) unstoppable and is going to add a seventh WCWS trophy this season.

Thomas Jones, Austin American-Statesman: Oklahoma. Arguably the most complete team we’ve seen in at least a generation, Oklahoma can win games at the plate, with its defense and in the pitcher’s circle. Its toughest competition may just come from the 1992 UCLA squad or the 1994 Arizona bunch in a debate about the best team in collegiate softball history. 

Ainslie Lee, The Gainesville Sun: Oklahoma. Oklahoma’s 43-game win streak won’t be ending anytime soon. The Sooners’ lineup, which boasts the nation’s highest batting average and the most home runs per game, will carry Oklahoma to another run through the Women’s College World Series. Oklahoma will also get a lift from its bullpen, which hold the country’s lowest ERA. Can’t get much more well-rounded than that.

Christina Long, Greenville News: Oklahoma. The Sooners have dominated college softball in every category this season. They’re 27-1 against other tournament teams, and it’s hard to imagine anyone stopping them.

Tyler Tachman, The Indianapolis Star: Florida State. The Seminoles are one of the hottest teams in the country, winning their last 16 games. ACC Pitcher of the Year Kathryn Sandercock, who is 23-3 with a 1.16 ERA, can help carry FSU to a title

Jack Williams, Tallahassee Democrat: Oklahoma. The Sooners have had one blip this entire season, and even when they’ve looked like the weaker team, they’ve found a way to come out victorious. I do think Florida State is the only team that can really challenge Oklahoma, but it’s going to take a lot to derail the Sooners.