This week in Pac-12 softball
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• The race for the Pac-12 softball title is at full throttle this week with current league leader OREGON taking a break from Pac-12 play to host a three-game series against No. 9 Louisiana-Lafayette. No. 7 UCLA, which heads to OREGON STATE this week, is just on the heels of the second-ranked Ducks in the Pac-12 standings, while the middle of the pack isn’t far behind, with No. 19 ARIZONA in third and UTAH in fourth after the Utes took two league victories over the Wildcats. UA hosts STANFORD and Utah travels to No. 23 ARIZONA STATE this week, while No. 18 WASHINGTON gets back into Pac-12 play with a series against No. 20 CALIFORNIA.
• Utah’s Hannah Flippen was named Pac-12 Player of the Week after helping the Utes to their fourth-straight Pac-12 series win. UCLA’s Ally Carda took home Pac-12 Pitcher of the Week accolades, while Oregon’s Jenna Lilley was voted the Pac-12 Freshman of the Week.
• Hot Bats: League play has largely been a showcase of some of the heaviest hitters in the nation. League teams are averaging a combined 12.21 runs per game in Pac-12 play (867 runs scored in 71 total games), with a scorching 16.03 hits per game average (1138 hits total) and 2.61 home runs per game (185 home runs total).
• National Leaders: Pac-12 teams account for five of the top-25 team batting averages in the nation, more than any other conference in the nation. League teams also have five of the top-25 on-base percentages, which is the second-most of any conference.
UPCOMING PAC-12 SOFTBALL SCHEDULE
Tuesday, Apr. 21
Oregon State at Portland State (DH), 4 p.m. PT
Wednesday, Apr. 22
Stanford at Santa Clara, 6 p.m. PT
Friday, Apr. 24
#18 Washington at #20 California *, 3 p.m. PT
Utah at #23 Arizona State * (P12N), 5 p.m. PT
Stanford at #19 Arizona *, 6 p.m. PT
Saturday, Apr. 25
#18 Washington at #20 California *, 1 p.m. PT
#7 UCLA at Oregon State *, 4 p.m. PT
Stanford at #19 Arizona *, 6 p.m. PT
Utah at #23 Arizona State * (P12N), 7:30 p.m. PT
#9 Louisiana-Lafayette at #2 Oregon, 4 p.m. PT
Sunday, Apr. 26
Stanford at #19 Arizona *, 12 p.m. PT
Utah at #23 Arizona State * (P12N), 12 p.m. PT
#18 Washington at #20 California *, 12 p.m. PT
#7 UCLA at Oregon State * (P12N), 12 p.m. PT
#9 Louisiana-Lafayette at #2 Oregon (DH), 12 p.m. PT
Monday, Apr. 27
#7 UCLA at Oregon State * (P12N), 4 p.m. PT