Softball Games of the Week 2/23 - 2/26
The 2012 College Softball season is well underway and though there have been a number of surprises, the top programs look to be rounding into shape and finding their footing. There are still a number of undefeated teams including: Cal, Florida, UCLA, Alabama, Washington, Texas, North Carolina, Louisiana, Auburn, Hawaii and Florida State. Five of these unbeatens will be at Palm Springs this weekend at arguably the most entertaining weekend in college softball each year, the Cathedral City Classic.
Cathedral City Classic (2/23 – 2/26, Palm Springs, California)
The 2012 Cathedral City Classic brings many of the best teams in the country, including 14 of the top 25, to one event where they actually faceoff. If a serious softball fan positions themselves correctly in the enclosed and air conditioned club restaurant they can watch three outstanding games at one time.
#2 Florida v. #14 Texas A&M - Thursday, (2/23 10:00am Pacific)
An undefeated Gator club will face its first test of the weekend, this one, the front end of a difficult back-to-back that includes Washington. Florida has averaged 8.8 runs per game in the first nine, posting shutouts in five of those. The Aggies will come into the weekend at 8-2 on a five game winning streak. As usual Coach Evans challenged her club on opening weekend, where they had losses to BYU and Northwestern and wins over Arizona and Stanford. Texas A&M has managed just one shutout in its first 10 contests, but their pitching has found a way to keep them in every game. Meagan May continues to be a monster in the middle of the lineup. She has three hits, all home runs, has drawn 16 walks in 37 plate appearances, and is hitting .158 but slugging .632. Like many of these matchups it should be fun and a potential postseason preview.
#2 Florida v. #5 Washington - Thursday, (2/23 12:30pm Pacific)
The good news for the Gators here is they will not have to switch fields between games. If Florida gets by the Ags, this tilt will be a battle of two 10-0 teams. The Huskies have beaten Nebraska, Northwestern, and a game Central Florida squad, but this will be their stiffest challenge so far in 2012. Washington has won four of the games by the run rule and posted three shutouts. They have scored double digits runs four times and average just under eight runs per outing.
#14 Arizona v. #11 Georgia - Thursday, (2/23 3:30pm Pacific)
After a 3-3 opening weekend against some tough competition and a surprising loss to McNeese St. the Wildcats bounced back at home with five wins. They’ve improved to 8-3 and, though they do not have the toughest schedule in Palm Springs, they will face teams eager to measure themselves against them. Georgia is 8-1 with its only loss to NC St. The Bulldogs continue to forge a new identity after the graduation of a quality senior class. Scoring more than six runs a game, Georgia is also getting quality work in the circle with a 0.61 team ERA. Expect both teams to score runs in this one.
#14 Texas A&M v. #5 Washington - Friday, (2/24 10:30am Pacific)
Last year this turned into a one sided affair with Washington winning big. A&M pitchers Mel Dumezich and Lindsey Sisk were a combined 5-0 with a 1.20 ERA last week and if they can keep the Washington sticks under control this can be a heck of a matchup.
#21 Oregon v. #18 Nebraska - Friday, (2/24 10:30am Pacific)
The Ducks will see their first action since opening weekend, where they were 3-2, losing one run games to BYU and New Mexico. The Cornhuskers are 8-3 dropping games to Washington, Oregon St. and Ga. Tech on opening weekend. Since then, Nebraska has won five straight. They have scored double digits in seven of their 11 contests. Look for a high scoring affair.
#11 Georgia v. #5 Washington - Friday, (2/24 1:00pm Pacific)
The Bulldogs easily have the toughest schedule in the event, facing Arizona, UCLA, Washington & Oklahoma. Head Coach Lou Harris will learn a great deal about her club this weekend. These two teams have plenty of recent battles and if history tells us anything, it will be a back and forth affair sure to please fast-pitch fans.
#1 UCLA v. #11 Georgia - Friday, (2/24 5:30pm Pacific)
The Bruins are 10-0, hitting .398 as a team, averaging just over eight runs a game and have a staff ERA of 0.98. UCLA looks to have a chance to return to their 2010 form with the addition of USA Jr. National Team pitcher, freshman Ally Carda who is 5-0. Along with veteran Jessica Hall, who is 4-0 with a 0.23 ERA the Bruins have pitched three shutouts and not allowed more than two runs in a game. Georgia’s pitchers will need to be at their best to slow down the Bruin attack.
#16 Stanford v. #8 Oklahoma - Friday, (2/24 6:00pm Pacific)
The Cardinal are 8-3 with losses to Texas A&M, UC Davis and Nevada. Stanford has not beaten a top team yet this season and will need to put all the pieces together to deal with Samantha Ricketts and the OU hitters. The Sooners are 6-1, going 5-0 two weeks ago in Nevada and then splitting their two games at the rain shortened ACC/Big 12/SEC Challenge. A 1-0 loss to Ga. Tech is the team’s only blemish. OU has pitched three shutouts, allowing just four runs in seven games. The team ERA of 0.62 leads the Big 12. The Stanford pitching staff will need to scatter the Sooners hits to give themselves a chance against a squad that has scored 10 or more runs three times this season.
#2 Florida v. #6 Texas - Saturday, (2/25 12:30pm Pacific)
Another potential battle of unbeatens. Texas will start the Classic 8-0. The Longhorns pitched shutouts in their first five games, scoring 60. Two of their last three wins were one run squeakers against A&M Corpus Christi and an extra inning clash they won in dramatic fashion over Tennessee. Texas is hitting .423 as a team led by senior second baseman Lexy Bennet, who has a .609 average. Blair Luna continues to be tough to handle. She is 4-0 and has allowed just one earned run in 24 innings while striking out 43. Two of the best clubs in the country are going at it here. Solid arms in the circle and lots of power on both sides usually translate into a low scoring pitchers’ duel.
Other Cathedral City Classic Games of Note:
Oklahoma State vs. #14 Arizona - Friday, (2/24 8:00pm Pacific)
#11 Georgia vs. #8 Oklahoma - Saturday, (2/25 10:00am Pacific)
#3 Cal vs. New Mexico State - Saturday, (2/25 12:30pm Pacific)
#1 UCLA vs. #6 Texas - Saturday, (2/25 3:00pm Pacific)
#18 Nebraska vs. #22 Missouri - Saturday, (2/25 2:30pm Pacific)
#5 Washington vs. #22 Missouri - Saturday, (2/25 5:00pm Pacific)
#18 Nebraska vs. #6 Texas - Sunday, (2/26 9:00am Pacific)
#22 Missouri vs. #1 UCLA - Sunday, (2/26 11:00am Pacific)
#18 Nebraska v. #5 Washington - Sunday, (2/26 11:00am Pacific)
NFCA Leadoff Classic (2/24 – 2/26, Clearwater, Florida)
#7 Tennessee vs. #12 Georgia Tech - Friday (2/24 6:00pm Eastern)
#10 Michigan vs. #20 Louisiana - Saturday (2/25 6:00pm Eastern)
