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The GIST: <\/strong>The 64-team NCAA softball national championship tournament<\/a> swings into action today with 16 double-elimination Regionals on deck. It\u2019s all part of a massive moment for the sport before the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) season begins next month. Batter up, baby.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcc8 Parity on the rise in the college game: <\/strong>The natty tournament has historically seen top seeds dominate, with few upsets en route to the eight-team Women\u2019s College World Series (WCWS). But that\u2019s changed in recent years, inspiring the NCAA to adopt a seeding system<\/a> aligned with<\/a> the women\u2019s soccer and volleyball tourneys.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udc40 Storylines to watch: <\/strong>The rise in parity can be traced to a deepening talent pool, underscored by this year\u2019s single-season home run record chase. Three players had a chance to eclipse the mark, but No. 2 UCLA\u2019s Megan Grant got the job done, blasting 38 dingers (mere months after snagging an NCAA basketball title<\/a>). Watch for the long ball to prevail this postseason.<\/p>\n\n
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