UCLA, Faraimo Projected to Lead Pac-12 by D1Softball

LOS ANGELES – The UCLA softball team was projected to finish first in the Pac-12 standings in D1Softball's 2022 Pac-12 Season Preview, the organization announced Friday morning. UCLA – who was ranked No. 4 in D1Softball's Preseason Top 25 earlier this week – finished first place in the Pac-12 last season for its 16th overall conference title and 11th Pac-10/12 title.
 
Following the Bruins, in order, are Washington, Oregon, Arizona, Arizona State, Stanford, Oregon State, Cal and Utah.
 
Redshirt junior pitcher/first baseman Megan Faraimo was also selected as D1Softball's Pac-12 Preseason Pitcher of the Year. Faraimo was named an NFCA First Team All-American and Pac-12 First Teamer as well as a USA Softball Player of the Year finalist after leading the Bruins with a 19-3 record, a Pac-12-best 1.10 earned run average, eight shutouts and 184 strikeouts over 133.1 innings of work.
 
Washington infielders Baylee Klinger and Kinsey Fielder were selected as D1Softball's Pac-12 Preseason Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year, respectively.
 
Five Bruins were listed in D1Softball's Pac-12 Player Rankings and four appeared in the top 10. Faraimo was listed as the top player in the Pac-12, three-time All-Pac-12 Defensive Teamer Briana Perez was listed at No. 4, NFCA and Pac-12 First Teamer Maya Brady was at No. 6 and redshirt senior Aaliyah Jordan at No. 8. Redshirt senior Delanie Wisz – who was tied with Brady for the team-lead in home runs with 14 – was slotted at No. 12 on the 20-player list.
 
D1Softball Pac-12 Player Rankings
 
1. Megan Faraimo, UCLA
2. Gabbie Plain, Washington
3. Baylee Klingler, Washington
4. Briana Perez, UCLA
5. Janelle Meoño, Arizona
6. Maya Brady, UCLA
7. Brooke Yanez, Oregon
8. Aaliyah Jordan, UCLA
9. Alana Vawter, Stanford
10. Sami Reynolds, Washington
11. Mariah Mazon, Oregon State
12. Delanie Wisz, UCLA
13. Sharlize Palacios, Arizona
14. Frankie Hammoude, Oregon State
15. Jazmine Hill, Arizona State
16. Allee Bunker, Oregon
17. Hanah Bowen, Arizona
18. KK Humphreys, Oregon
19. Haley Denning, Utah
20. Makena Smith, Cal