UCLA tabbed favorites in 2022 Pac-12 Softball Preseason Coaches Poll

SAN FRANCISCO - Defending Pac-12 champion UCLA has been selected as the preseason favorite to win the 2022 Pac-12 softball title in a voting of the Conference’s coaches. 

The Bruins garnered a total of 63 points, including seven first-place votes, to secure their spot atop the preseason coaches poll for the second consecutive season and league-record 12th time overall (since 1999). 

Washington was picked to finish second with 55 points and received one first-place vote. Arizona and Oregon tied for third with 45 points with the Wildcats collecting the remaining first-place vote.

Arizona State totaled 37 points to place fifth and is followed by Stanford in sixth with 31 points. Oregon State (25 points), California (12 points) and Utah (11 points) rounded out the poll.

The Pac-12 softball season is set to begin on Thursday, Feb. 10 when Arizona, Arizona State, Oregon, Stanford, UCLA and Washington are in action. For a full 2022 schedule, including television details, please visit pac-12.com.

Pac-12 teams have strong representation in a number of national preseason polls, as seven of the Conference's nine programs received recognition. UCLA is a consensus top-five team, while Washington is consensus top-10. Two polls feature Arizona in the top 10 as well—and every major outlet has the Wildcats, Oregon and Arizona State in the top 25. Stanford and Oregon State aren't too far behind, each receiving votes in at least one poll.

The following are the results of the preseason coaches’ poll. Eight points are awarded for a first-place vote, seven points for a second-place vote, six for a third-place vote, etc. First-place votes are in parentheses. Coaches are not allowed to vote for their own teams.

2022 Pac-12 Softball Preseason Coaches Poll