The eyes of the softball world will be turned to Westwood this weekend as the biggest series in the nation will be No. 6 Stanford (28-3, 5-1 Pac-12) visiting No. 3 UCLA (29-4, 6-3). There’s a good chance that the results will impact which team will net the top seed in the inaugural Pac-12 Softball Tournament.

What do you need to know before this top-six matchup? Both teams have incredible pitching staffs, while UCLA has the edge on offense and Stanford is the better defensive team. Let’s jump into the numbers. 

In the circle...

Last season’s matchup between these two teams was dominated by pitching. Stanford took the series behind two 1-0 wins, and UCLA’s lone win came in extra innings after the two teams were tied at one through seven.

Everyone knows the greatness of Megan Faraimo and Alana Vawter. The UCLA and Stanford aces lead the conference in wins and near the top in ERA. The two couldn’t be more different in style as well. Faraimo throws hard and up in the zone, typically racking up high strikeout numbers. Vawter forces a lot of ground balls with a mixture of drop balls and curveballs.  

Both teams also have a reliable second option and a talented freshmen they use. Brooke Yanez, one of the best arms in the nation prior to an injury in 2021, has been a great complement to Faraimo. Regan Krause continues to pitch well for the Cardinal for the past few years. Like Vawter, she doesn’t rack up a ton of strikeouts.

Stanford’s strikeouts come from freshman NiJaree Canady. Through March 28, she is second in the country in strikeout rate, recording 12.5 Ks per seven innings. UCLA has its own freshman star in Taylor Tinsley. Both arms have been used sparingly since conference play started but each already has a no-hitter under their belts showing how talented they are. 

UCLA

• RHP Megan Fariamo - 15-2, 1.36 ERA, 136 K, 92.2 IP
• LHP Brooke Yanez - 9-1, 1.69 ERA, 70 K, 66.1 IP
• RHP Taylor Tinsley - 4-1, 1.83 ERA, 36 K, 38.1 IP

Stanford 

• RHP Alana Vawter - 12-1, 1.27 ERA, 75 K, 88 IP
• RHP Regan Krause - 8-2, 1.86 ERA, 51 K, 56.1 IP
• RHP NiJaree Canady - 8-0, 0.14 ERA, 92 K, 51.1 IP

In the batter's box...

If this series looks anything like last season, there might not be much offense. However, the way Maya Brady has swung the bat this season, crooked numbers can come in bunches. The UCLA star comes into the week with a .465 average and 22 extra-base hits. Brady nearly has as many home runs (11) as Stanford (12) does as a team. 

The Bruins have gotten major contributions from a pair of freshmen as well. Megan Grant and Jordan Woolery have combined to drive in 64 runs for UCLA and haven’t slowed down in conference play either. Both have hit multiple homers and kept an average above .300 against Pac-12 foes. 

Similar to the pitching style, Stanford doesn’t use power in its offense. The Cardinal are old school in using speed and forcing defenses to make a play. However, Stanford’s 5.7 runs per game is nearly two runs ahead of its pace from last season’s Super Regional team. 

Taylor Gindlesperger and River Mahler are a tough duo for pitchers to get out at the top of the lineup. Gindlesperger is one of the fastest players and already has six triples this season, recently becoming the program’s all-time leader in the category. Mahler, a freshman, is in the top five in the Pac-12 in hits this season. 

Kaitlyn Lim and Emily Schultz are also having better years at the plate than last year. Lim leads the Cardinal in hits against Pac-12 foes after series versus Oregon and Oregon State. Meanwhile, Schultz is enjoying a bounceback season. She’s already set a career-high in doubles (11) and is on track to surpass 30 RBIs, which she’s never done. 

UCLA

• SS Maya Brady - .465 BA, 1.472 OPS, 9 2B, 2 2B, 11 HR, 37 RBI
• 1B Jordan Woolery - .383 BA, 1.082 OPS, 10 2B, 5 HR, 29 RBI 
• UTL Megan Grant - .304 BA, .971 OPS, 7 2B, 1 3B, 6 HR, 35 RBI

Stanford

• CF Taylor Gindlesperger - .400 BA, 1.044 OPS, 8 2B, 6 3B, 12 RBI
• 2B River Mahler - .463 BA, 1.047 OPS,  4 2B, 2 3B, 15 RBI
• 1B Emily Schultz - .370 BA, 1.002 OPS, 11 2B, 3 3B, 25 RBI

In the field...

In a series that is expected to be close, defense very well could be the deciding factor. Stanford comes into the week with the nation’s second best fielding percentage (.986). Shortstop Emily Young is one of the most reliable players at the position in the country. The Cardinal has kept its infield pretty consistent all year with Schultz at first and Mahler at second joining Young up the middle. 

UCLA has used quite a bit of different defensive positioning. Brady moved around a bit to open the season but has been slotted in at shortstop pretty consistently ever since. However, as good as her bat is, she's had her growing pains at the position, committing seven errors so far this season. Brady was a full-time outfielder before filling the role vacated by Briana Perez, the 2022 Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year. 

One part of the UCLA defense that can be a difference maker is Sharlize Palacios behind the plate. The Bruins catcher has a rocket for an arm and is generally regarded as one of the best defensive players in the nation. She’s already thrown out five runners and hasn’t allowed a passed ball this season. 

Overall this series has the makings not only to have a major impact on the Pac-12 Tournament seedings but the NCAA Tournament as well. In Monday’s RPI update, UCLA was No. 3 in the nation adjusted RPI and Stanford followed in the fourth spot.

How to Watch

• Friday, 7 p.m. PT on UCLA Live Stream
• Saturday, 7 p.m. PT on UCLA Live Stream
• Sunday, 2 p.m. PT on ESPNU