The amount of talent in the circle within D1 college softball is amazing! Narrowing down the list of top pitchers was no easy task, and even with extensive trimming, the list is long.

We’ve done what we can to try and include as many of the top arms as possible to include the best of the best. Now it’s up to you to vote, and let us know who you think is the top pitcher in D1 Softball. (all rankings and stats current 4/4/16). The poll will close Friday at 3 pm Pacific, so be sure to get your vote in on time!
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Aleshia Ocasio, SO – Florida

1st in ERA (0.42)
​T9th in saves (4)
​T10th in shutouts (5)

The nation’s leader in Earned Run Average with 0.42, BR-2 Florida sophomore Aleshia Ocasio (pictured above) holds a 12-1 record with 4 saves, and has only given up seven runs – five of them earned through 84.1 innings pitched. After earning two wins and a save through 10 shutout innings against BR-10 LSU, Ocasio earned her first career SEC Pitcher of the Week honor.
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Lilly Fecho, SR – Purdue

7th in strikeouts (167)
T12th in victories (15-6)
​T24th in shutouts (4)

Purdue's Lilly Fecho has earned Big Ten Pitcher of the Week honors twice this season (Purdue athletics photo)

Senior Lilly Fecho has twice been named the Big Ten Pitcher of the Week this season, and is the BR-69 Purdue all-time leader in strikeouts. For her career, Fecho has now struck out five or more batters in 73 games – 15 alone in 2016 and she ranks fourth in active NCAA D1 softball in career innings pitched and complete games.
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Cheridan Hawkins, SR – Oregon

2nd in K’s/7inn (12.0)
T12th in strikeouts (144)
​T20th in shutouts (4)

BR-3 Oregon All-American pitcher Cheridan Hawkins recently was tabbed the NFCA Pitcher of the Week. The senior notched three wins over the week, two as a starter and one in relief. She struck out 24, giving up just five hits and did not allow a run helping the Ducks earn four PAC-12 wins. Her 12.3 strikeouts/7inn leads the nation.
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Kelly Barnhill, FR – Florida

3rd in hits allowed/7inn (3.31)
4th in K’s/7inn (10.9)
​T10th in shutouts (5)
​17th in ERA (1.36)

Florida freshman Kelly Barnhill has yet to post a loss this season (Florida Athletics photo)

Freshman Kelly Barnhill remains the only unbeaten hurler of the three Gator aces. Her record sits at 12-0, and she leads the Gator staff with 112 strikeouts, holding opponents to a .135 average. Her 3.26 hits/7inn average ranks third in D1, while her 11.1 strikeouts/7inn ranks fourth.
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Kylee Hanson, JR – Florida Atlantic

1st in hits allowed/7inn (3.07)
T1st in shutouts (9)
2nd in ERA (0.75)
​T8th in strikeouts (165)
​12th in K’s/7inn (9.6)
​T19th in victories (13-3)

For the third time this season, BR-39 Florida Atlantic junior Kylee Hanson earned the Conference-USA Pitcher of the Week honor. The C-USA Preseason Pitcher of the Year, she won both her starts, throwing her 14th complete game and D1 leading ninth shutout of the season in a 6-0 win over BR-88 Louisiana Tech. Hanson gave up one hit, facing just one batter above the minimum. She followed it with a complete game the next day, going eight innings, giving up just one hit and a run, striking out 12.

Hanson also leads the nation in hits allowed/7inn with 3.07, is second in earned run average at 0.75, and is tied for eighth in strikeouts with 165.
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Delanie Gourley, JR – Florida

4th in ERA (0.86)
7th in hits allowed/7inn (3.61)
​T10th in shutouts (5)
​13th in K’s/7inn (9.6)

Gator southpaw Delanie Gourley ranks in the top-10 in three pitching categories (Florida Athletics photo)

Junior hurler Delanie Gourley has struck out 111 batters in 81.1 innings in the circle this season for the Gators. She ranks in the top-10 in three pitching categories – fourth in earned run average with 0.86, seventh in hits allowed/7inn with 3.61, and tied for 10th in shutouts with five.[divider]

Megan Good, SO – James Madison

19-1 (1st in victories)
2nd in hits allowed/7inn (3.21)
​T5th in shutouts (5)
5th in ERA (0.93)

JMU's Megan Good leads D1 in victories with a 19-1 record (Photo courtesy of JMU Athletics/Cathy Kushner)

BR-20 James Madison sophomore Megan Good is coming off her second straight Colonial Athletic Association softball Pitcher of the Week honor.or the second straight week. Good led the Dukes to a 5-0 week with a pair of wins over BR-162 Virginia, followed by a three-game sweep of BR-139 Towson to move JMU to 30-2 on the season.

Good is in the top-10 in the nation in four categories, and leads the nation in victories with a 19-1 record.
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Brianna Jones, FR – Southern Illinois

3rd in shutouts (8)
T12th in victories (15-5)
​36th in ERA (1.68)

SIU Freshman Brianna Jones opened her collegiate career with 3-straight shutouts (Saluki Athletics photo)

Freshman hurler Brianna Jones opened her BR-98 Southern Illinois career with three-straight shutouts, not allowing an earned run in her first 22.2 innings in the Saluki circle. Jones earned Missouri Valley Conference Pitcher of the Week three times, and leads the MVC in both wins and ERA.

Jones has posted eight shutouts – ranking third in the nation, and has thrown 12 complete games in 20 appearances.

Who Owns the Circle in D1 Softball?