There is already one regional rankings on the board, which means we are just a couple of weeks from the 2025 DII softball championship. We continue our look at the teams that should 鈥 or at least could 鈥 make a deep run in the 2025 DII softball championship, today focusing our attention inside the coveted circle.
Thus far, we have looked at some teams gaining momentum at the right time as well as some of the most potent lineups in DII softball. Now it is time to look at the programs that allow the least runs, get those timely strikeouts and dominate other lineups to help their teams continue to rack up win after win.
DII softball's scariest pitching rotations
UT Tyler
The Patriots have a deep pitching staff, with three pitchers capable of hurling a shutout. Kaylee Daniels is a sparkling 13-0 behind a 0.81 ERA and 0.94 WHIP and joins Cera Blanchard (1.09) in the top 10 of ERA in DII. Primrose Aholelei is 12-1 with a dazzling 1.60 ERA and 0.92 WHIP and leading the rotation with nine strikeouts per seven innings. Overall, the Patriots are No. 2 in the division in ERA (1.19), No. 4 in WHIP (0.94), 17th in K/7 (7.03) and second in shutouts (19). That鈥檚 just dominance.
Tampa
Mariah Galhouse leads one of the most well-rounded pitching staffs in DII softball, which is a large reason the Spartans sit at 36-6. The senior righty has been a model of consistency the past few seasons, finishing third in DII with a 0.90 ERA last year. This year, she is bettering her normal dominating numbers, second in DII with a 0.70 ERA and 10th in DII with a 0.86 WHIP. Gwen McGinnis and Kate DeSimone have been just as much a conundrum for opposing lineups as McGinnis is 9th in ERA (1.18) and DeSimone is 17th (1.39). Combined, they have allowed more than two runs in a game just twice since March 1. Overall, Tampa leads DII softball in ERA (1.14), is third in WHIP (0.93), is tops in strikeout-to-walk ratio at 5.97 and top 10 in shutouts with 13.
Southern Arkansas
The Muleriders have four pitchers that can go in the circle and give them quality innings for their offense to work with; however, two of the starters shine brightest. Senior righty Brinson Rogers is making a strong case for national pitcher of the year (she has already won 10 GAC pitcher of the week honors), leading DII with 26 wins to go with DII's fourth-best ERA (0.78), the second-most strikeouts (254), fourth-best WHIP (0.77), and the most shutouts (18). Kassie Rhodes has been equally strong in the Muleriders' rotation giving them a potent one-two punch that has them No. 5 overall in DII in ERA (1.49), No. 2 in WHIP (0.93), sixth in strikeouts-per-nine (7.50) and No. 1 with 22 shutouts.
Augustana (SD)
When your team is 41-9, you have to have good pitching. That record is more impressive when you consider the Vikings lost their first three games of the season, all in close fashion. While this staff isn't deep in starting pitching, they do have four pitchers that limit the damage and keep runners at bay. That said, this rotation is all about its two aces: Grace Glanzer and Lexi Lander. Glanzer had a monster season last year, and is continuing that trend in 2025, currently 13th in ERA (1.25) and WHIP (0.88) and ninth in strikeouts (190). Right behind Glanzer in the ERA rankings is Lander with a 1.26 ERA. She also adds 126 strikeouts in 122 innings pitched and a 1.11 WHIP. Overall, the Vikings are third in DII in ERA (1.33), third in strikeout-to-walk ratio (4.52), eighth in WHIP (1.01) and fourth in shutouts with 16.
Pace
The Setters have won 26 games in a row, and you do not do that without standout pitching performances. They have allowed just four runs over their past eight games with five shutouts, just for a taste as to how well they have been pitching. They have three starters, but Gisselle Garcia is the unquestioned ace. A four-year starter, she has never had an ERA higher than 1.67, but this year has been her best: She leads DII in ERA (0.64) and WHIP (0.63), is second in shutouts (13) and fifth in strikeouts (219). Alyssa Smart and Priscilla Del Toro combine with Garcia for the fourth best ERA in DII (1.36), best WHIP (0.89) and seventh-best strikeout-to-walk ratio (3.86).
Auburn Montgomery
The Warhawks have become top 25 and tournament regulars over the last several seasons, and the recipe has been pitching. This year has been no different with a pair of aces leading the way. Chelisa Newsome is 14-3 behind a 1.25 ERA and 0.93 WHIP (both top 20 marks in DII). Reese Cauley is 16-4 with a 1.48 ERA and 0.85 WHIP (both of which are top 15 marks in DII). Along with five others that make spot appearances, AUM has combined for a 1.85 ERA (No. 8 in DII) and 0.96 WHIP (fifth in DII) with 12 shutouts.
West Texas A&M
The Buffs have won 28 in a row and are 48-2, so let's face reality. This team is good at everything. Pitching has been key as this rotation has 13 shutouts (No. 8 in DII), is seventh in DII with a 1.81 ERA, second in the division in strikeout-to-walk ratio (4.61), and ninth in WHIP (1.04). In the circle, it is a three-headed monster of Emilee Boyer (who also leads the Buffs with a .504 batting average and 19 home runs), Heidi Vortherms and Kendall Selitzky. Boyer is trying to win both pitcher and player of the year behind a 24-1 record (second-most wins in DII) with a 1.85 ERA, 197 strikeouts (her 9.7 strikeouts-per-seven is No. 9 in DII), a .191 batting average against and 0.92 WHIP (15th in DII). The three have helped the Buffs' rotation land in the top 10 in ERA (1.81), WHIP (1.04) and strikeouts-per-seven (7.94).
