Duke softball's Claire Davidson, 14 other top college softball players in North Carolina

Rodd Baxley, Fayetteville Observer

With May’s arrival, it’s time for some postseason college softball.

In mid-May, teams across the nation will gather to watch the Selection Show for the Road to Oklahoma City and the Women’s College World Series. As it stands, three teams from North Carolina are projected to be among the squads revealed on May 12.

No. 5 Duke (44-6) is the lone team from the state represented in the latest USA TODAY Sports/National Fastpitch Coaches Association poll. No. 12 Florida State (40-10), No. 16 Virginia Tech (38-11-1), No. 23 Clemson (33-16) and Virginia (32-17) are the other ACC squads projected to make the WCWS softball bracket.

Charlotte (33-16) and UNC (30-19) are the other in-state teams predicted to make the postseason field. The ACC Softball Championship tournament is May 8-11 in Durham.

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Here’s a look at 15 of the top college softball players on the three in-state teams that could be competing for a chance to get to the Women’s College World Series.

Georgeanna Barefoot, Charlotte softball

Barefoot has a 2.32 ERA with an 11-2 record in 36 appearances. The Wake Forest native also leads the team in strikeouts (78) and innings (130).

Skyler Brooks, UNC softball

One of three Tar Heels with more than 50 hits this season, Brooks has a .327 batting average. The senior is second in stolen bases (17).

Ella Chancey, Charlotte softball

A three-time AAC Player of the Week, Chancey has a .326 batting average with 47 hits and 37 RBIs. The junior has started in 49 games.

Alex Coleman, UNC softball

The Tar Heels’ top hitter, Coleman has a .441 batting average, 71 hits, 44 runs scored and 20 RBIs. The junior also leads the team in steals (20).

Cassidy Curd, Duke softball

A two-time ACC Pitcher of the Week, Curd has a 1.38 ERA with 127 strikeouts in 86 ⅓ innings. The sophomore has a 9-3 record and is limiting opponents to a .155 batting average.

Claire Davidson, Duke softball

A finalist for the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year, Davidson leads the Blue Devils in batting average (.423), home runs (17), runs scored (55) and RBIs (61). The senior outfielder has started all 50 games.

Isabela Emerling, UNC softball

The sophomore leads the Tar Heels in home runs (14) and RBIs (53). Emerling has a .326 batting average with 23 runs scored.

D’Auna Jennings, Duke softball

The sophomore outfielder is in a three-way tie with 60 hits for the Blue Devils. Jennings has a .387 batting average, 12 stolen bases and a perfect fielding percentage with 54 putouts.

Abigail Knight, Charlotte softball

Knight has a perfect fielding percentage and a team-high 74 putouts. The Robbinsville native also has 43 hits and 23 RBIs through 49 starts.

Destiny Middleton, UNC softball

The graduate infielder has a .421 batting average, with 56 hits, 22 runs scored and 11 RBIs.

Autumn Owen, UNC softball

Owen has 11 home runs, 39 RBIs and 28 walks. The Marshall transfer has a .304 batting average and is UNC’s primary catcher.

Arianna Rodi, Charlotte softball

The sophomore is among the best hitters in the AAC, leading the Niners in batting average (.354), hits (54), home runs (18), RBIs (44) and walks (53). Rodi has started in 49 games.

Aminah Vega, Duke softball

The sophomore infielder has a .405 batting average, 10 home runs, 17 doubles and 48 RBIs in 48 games. Vega is one of three Blue Devils with 60 hits this season.

Lillie Walker, Duke softball

The senior pitcher has a 1.62 ERA and 11-1 record with 56 ⅓ innings. Walker has four saves as the Blue Devils’ top reliever.

Jala Wright, Duke softball

A two-time ACC Pitcher of the Week and finalist for the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year, Wright has a 16-1 record in 26 appearances. The Charlotte native has a 1.15 ERA with 147 strikeouts in 121 ⅔ innings.

Claire Davidson, a senior, has helped Duke softball become a top-five team in the nation. The Blue Devils are among the college softball teams hoping to advance to the Women's College World Series in late May.
Claire Davidson, a senior, has helped Duke softball become a top-five team in the nation. The Blue Devils are among the college softball teams hoping to advance to the Women's College World Series in late May.

Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at rbaxley@fayobserver.com or @RoddBaxley on X/Twitter.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Duke softball's Claire Davidson among top college softball players

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