Austin R. Vaughn | NCAA.com | April 18, 2016

College softball: The 8 leading strikeout pitchers

Whether they're bringing the heat or painting the corners, these women have a knack for sitting down batters. Here are the eight pitchers leading NCAA Division I softball in strikeouts.

(Editor's note: Based on games through April 17)

Savannah Jo Dorsey | Ohio | Sr. | 251 strikeouts

Dorsey has been dominant as the jewel in the Bobcats rotation. She leads Ohio in ERA (1.82), record (18-9) and, of course, strikeouts. She's been an offensive threat in the past as well, hitting .245 with 24 RBI in 2014.

Devin Brown | South Alabama | So. | 243 strikeouts

This young gun led the Jaguars in Ks her freshman season with 183 in 117 innings and currently has the second highest total in all of DI softball. Not too shabby for a sophomore. Brown is enjoying a 15-8 record and a 1.43 ERA.

Sara Groenewegen | Minnesota | Jr. | 237 strikeouts

The 2015 Big Ten Player of the Year was the first Gopher to claim the award in 24 years, and she isn't showing any signs of slowing down in 2016. Groenewegen has a 21-5 record bolstered by a 1.76 ERA. She pitched her first career perfect game against FAU on March 12, and she's batting .289 with six home runs and 22 RBI.

Jordan Dixon | Marshall | Jr. | 213 strikeouts

Dixon tied the Marshall record for wins in a season last year with 33, and her strikeout total (308) was second in school history. It should be exciting to see if she can surpass those this year.

McKenna Bull | BYU | Jr. | 211 strikeouts

Bull is the workhorse of the Cougar pitching staff. She's pitched 126 more innings than her closest teammate. She also leads BYU in ERA (.258), and she has two complete game no-hitters so far this season.

Randi Rupp | Texas State | So. | 210 strikeouts

Rupp finished her freshman campaign leading her team in ERA while posting a 24-14 record. The sophomore looks primed to be the best Bobcat pitcher again in 2016 thanks to a 1.93 ERA and a 17-8 record, both a team best.

Nicole Newman | Drake | So. | 201 strikeouts

The Missouri Valley Freshman of the Year season is posting stellar numbers once again for Drake. Newman leads the Bulldogs with 2.35 ERA and 17-8 record and has already passed her strikeout numbers from last year (175).

Maggie Tyler | Virginia Tech | Sr. | 199 strikeouts

Tyler saved her best season for last. The senior is looking to hold onto her career best ERA (2.62), and she's already surpassed her mark for most wins in a season (16). Maybe she'll be able to set a new personal SO best (227) by the end of the season as well.