THE Spring Games Division I Preview: What To Know

The 2024 edition of THE Spring Games welcomes a variety of NCAA Division I programs looking to start their seasons strong against high-quality competition.

Feb 16, 2024 by Kyle Kensing

THE Spring Games Division I Preview: What To Know

For several weekends from mid-February into March, a variety of NCAA Div. I programs converge on Florida for THE Spring Games.

In 2024, THE Spring Games welcomes teams that reached the 2023 NCAA Tournament, as well as some leading hopefuls aiming to break out and make a run at the postseason in the campaign to come.

Learn more about the competition slated for the Div. I editions of THE Spring Games, streaming on FloSoftball.com.

What Division I Teams Softball Are Playing In THE Spring Games?

Bellarmine
Brown
Bucknell
Butler
Central Michigan
Chattanooga
Coastal Carolina
Colgate
Columbia
Cornell
East Tennessee State
Illinois
Iowa
Kansas
Le Moyne
Liberty
Long Island
Manhattan
MTSU
Monmouth
Ohio State
Penn State
Quinnipiac
Siena
Southern Illinois
Southern Indiana
St. Bonaventure
Stonehill
Troy
UAlbany
UC Riverside
Western Michigan

Teams To Watch

Liberty

Coming off its third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance and fourth in the last five full seasons, Liberty heads into 2024 with a new conference but more postseason aspirations.

Under the direction of softball legend Dot Richardson, the Lady Flames bring a talented lineup to THE Spring Games that combines a mix of proven veterans and high-potential newcomers.

Penn State

Despite missing the NCAA Tournament, Penn State put together an impressive and promising 2023 campaign. The Nittany Lions went 31-16, and return in 2024 with key contributors like Liana Jones.

Penn State also brought in an impressive collection of newcomers, both through the transfer portal and with high school signees. Haylie Brunson (Pitt), Gaby Garcia (Stephen F. Austin) and Mady Volpe (Coastal Carolina) are just a few of the transfers poised to deliver for Penn State in pursuit of a Big Ten title, while freshman pitcher Bridget Nemeth kicked off her Nittany Lions career with four wins in five appearances.

Players To Watch

Jasmyn Burns, Ohio State

Ohio State freshman Jasmyn Burns debuted on the college scene with a bang. Burns hit three home runs in the Buckeyes' opening weekend and batted .412 overall with nine RBI en route to Big Ten Conference Freshman of the Week recognition.

Burns came to Ohio State from Murrieta (Calif.) Mesa High School where, in 2023, she hit .411 with 15 home runs. She's already on a pace to eclipse her prep home-run total from a year ago.

Lindsey Cowans, Long Island

The pitching ace for a Long Island team that qualified for the 2023 NCAA Tournament, Lindsey Cowans sported a 2.60 ERA with 160 strikeouts over 174 2/3 innings worked a season ago.

She's back to pace the Sharks in pursuit of another Northeast Conference championship and return to the postseason.