With Clemson softball’s season officially underway, one question begs: Can the team make another run at the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma?

After falling a game short of that aspiration to the eventual national champion — Texas — at the Austin Super Regional last year, this season brings plenty of intrigue. Clemson faces a slew of worthy opponents in nonconference games on the schedule — Oregon, Arkansas, Georgia and in-state rival South Carolina — not to mention the Tigers’ tough ACC opponent list, which features Duke, Florida State, Virginia and Virginia Tech.

So how will Clemson respond after coming heartbreakingly close last season in Austin, Texas?

While many key players from last season’s roster have moved on to the Athletes Unlimited Softball League, it’s important to note the players acquired from the portal.

Corri Hicks, a catcher from Oklahoma, brings some experience from one of the best teams in the nation. Boston College’s Abby Dunning was one of the best pitchers in the ACC last season, and she brings strikeout precision to Clemson. From USC Upstate, local transfer Sierra Maness is a girl to keep an eye on. Finally, Kiley Channell, a middle infielder, was a highly rated transfer prospect from Florida Atlantic University.

But the load doesn’t rest solely in the hands of Clemson’s newest portal acquisitions. Expect big contributions from the recently signed freshman class.

Freshman pitcher Lexie Hames was ranked as the No. 14 player in the nation, the No. 6-best pitcher in her class and the top player in the state of Pennsylvania, per On3. She will significantly impact the pitching rotation as a starter. Then there’s infielder Mac Pavese. Pavese was the No. 70 player in the nation and the No. 4-best player in the state of Georgia.

With this influx of talent across the board, it is not just possible, but very likely that the team makes a push for the Women’s College World Series.

If Clemson can beat at least six or seven teams listed above, that would surely give the Tigers a top-eight seed and a chance to host a home game at the friendly confines of McWhorter Stadium.

Should Clemson be seeded outside of the top eight, the softball team would have to travel to hostile territory, which would be a tough outing for the Tigers.

But this team can handle tough — the Tigers proved that last year. All of Clemson’s Super Regional appearances have been on the road at Oklahoma, Oklahoma State or Texas. So if Clemson softball’s ultimate goal is to win one more game than last year, obtaining a top-eight seed will be huge.

If the Tigers get that far, anything can happen in Oklahoma City.