Every Pac-12 softball coach says that Conference play feels like a Super Regional each weekend. However, each team's rsum is boosted by who it plays and who it beats during the non-conference slate. The Pac-12 doesn't back down from competition. Here are the must-see non-conference matchups for each team.
No. 12 Arizona at No. 7 Arkansas (Feb. 23-24)
No. 12 Arizona heads to Fayetteville for the Razorback Invitational at the end of February. The last time the Wildcats visited the Hogs was for the 2021 Super Regionals when they clinched a spot in the Womens College World Series. Both teams look much different than that matchup but it will certainly give off a Super Regional vibe in the three-game set between the two ranked teams.
(Other notable matchups: vs. No. 5 Florida State, vs. No. 11 Virginia Tech, vs. No. 23 Mississippi State, vs. RV Nebraska)
No. 22 Arizona State at Oklahoma State Tournament (March 17-18)
The Sun Devils will head to Stillwater on their off weekend from Conference play. Not only will No. 22 Arizona State face No. 3 Oklahoma State, No. 18 UCF will also be there. The Cowgirls got the best of the Devils early last season in Tempe. Regardless, this will be quite the test for first-year head coach
Megan Bartlett
and her new-look Arizona State team facing two of last seasons top 16 seeds on the road.
(Other notable matchups: vs. RV Notre Dame, at RV San Diego State, vs. RV Loyola Marymount)
California at RV Loyola Marymount (Feb. 10)
The Golden Bears open the season taking a trip to the defending WCC champions Loyola Marymount. Last season, LMU made an appearance in the Los Angeles Regional and took a game from Ole Miss. Cal will likely see LMUs ace Jenna Perez, who had a 1.63 ERA and 199 strikeouts. Chelsea Spencers team will be tested early.
(Other notable matchups: vs. Cal State Fullerton, vs. Iowa, vs. Texas Tech, vs. Miami (OH))
No. 24 Oregon vs. No. 4 Florida (Feb. 25 in Cathedral City, Calif.)
No. 24 Oregon has a very tough slate at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic. Their matchup with fourth-ranked Florida is very interesting in how the two teams matchup. Neither has a true ace in the circle at the moment. Both produce runs with speed and power. The Gators are coming off a Womens College World Series trip and are a favorite to return. If Oregon can add a significant win early on to its resume itll certainly be helpful come selection day in May.
(Other notable matchups: vs. No. 4 Oklahoma State, No. 8 Northwestern, vs. RV Missouri)
No. 19 Oregon State at No. 25 LSU (Feb. 11)
The 19th-ranked Beavers come off their Womens College World Series by heading to Baton Rouge to face LSU. No. 19 Oregon State will need players like
Frankie
Hammoude
and
Sarah
Haendiges
to step up following
Mariah
Mazon
s departure. The Tigers are a talented team but battled injuries and were inconsistent last year. They have plenty to prove, but so do the Beavers to show they werent one-year wonders.
(Other notable matchups: vs. RV Missouri, vs. Ohio State, vs. BYU)
No. 17 Stanford at No. 15 Georgia (Feb. 17-18)
The Cardinal comes into this year with high expectations but head coach
Jessica
Allister
always has high expectations for her team. No. 17 Stanford heads to Athens to face the Bulldogs. On paper, this is strength against strength. The Cardinal pitching staff led by
Alana
Vawter
only allowed 29 home runs last season, the fewest of any Pac-12 team. Georgia hit 107 home runs in 2022, the fifth most in the nation. Itll be a fun pair of games to watch two programs that have aspirations of hosting Regionals and Supers.
(Other notable matchups: vs. No. 1 Oklahoma, vs. No. 16 Duke, vs. RV Michigan, at RV Wichita State)
No. 2 UCLA vs. No. 1 Oklahoma (Feb. 26 in Cathedral City, Calif.)
This is a battle of the consensus top two teams heading into the season. No. 2 UCLA was one of three teams to take a game off the Sooners last year. The back-to-back national champions return most of its roster from last season but will be without college softballs home run queen Jocelyn Alo following her graduation. 2022 Pac-12 Pitcher of the Year
Megan
Faraimo
and star outfielder
Maya
Brady
lead a retooled Bruins roster trying to show the nation that they can be the team to dethrone Oklahoma.
(Other notable matchups: vs. No. 9 Alabama, vs. No. 5 Florida State, No. 11 Virginia Tech, No. 4 Florida, No. 20 Kentucky, No. 18 UCF)
Utah vs. Boise State (March 22)
The Utes and Broncos were both bubble teams left out of last seasons NCAA Tournament. Both programs also return a majority of last years major contributors. This mid-week contest could be valuable to both teams postseason rsums. Utahs core of
Ellessa
Bonstrom
,
Haley
Denning
and
Sydney
Sandez
will try to lead the Utes past the Broncos and back to the postseason for the first time since 2017.
(Other notable matchups: vs. No. 1 Oklahoma, at No. 25 LSU, vs. RV Iowa State)
No. 14 Washington vs. No. 20 Kentucky (Feb. 23 in Cathedral City, Calif.)
The biggest question mark leading into this season for the Huskies is what transfer
Lindsay
Lopez
and freshman
Ruby
Meylan
can do in the circle. No. 14 Washington will get to see what its pitching staff can do when it faces No. 20 Kentucky at the Mary Nutter. The Wildcats averaged nearly seven runs per game last year. Kayla Kowalik, Erin Coffel return to lead that prolific offense, which will be a good battle for Washingtons hurlers.
(Other notable matchups: vs. No. 1 Oklahoma, vs. No. 16 Duke, vs. RV Liberty)