Reports of UCLA’s demise were greatly exaggerated, as the Bruins rebounded versus a suddenly scuffling California in the topsy turvy of Pac-12 softball.
At the top, No. 6 Oregon (38-6, 13-2 Pac-12) snatched the top spot from No. 2 ASU with its dominating weekend against No. 22 UA (27-17, 4-8). The Ducks swept the series, run ruled the Wildcats twice, threw a perfect game a day after a no-hitter and remained prefect at home, 11-0.
Arizona, meanwhile, fell to 3-5 on the road, and after winning four of their last five, have suddenly lost four of their last five. Still, the Wildcats are 17-4 at home, with two series at Hillenbrand Stadium left, UCLA this week and then ASU.
The UA’s other remaining series are at Oregon State, 3-9 in the conference with two of those coming from wins over Utah and at fellow middle of the conference team No. 15 Stanford.
No. 21 UCLA (28-14, 5-10) rebounded against Cal after losing four in a row and six of their last seven and dropping to 3-9 in the conference thanks to losing the series at Utah, the Utes’ first Pac-12 series win. The Bruins went 2-1 against the Golden Bears, and all three games went extra innings, showing they can play with the best.
Meanwhile, No. 8 California, a contender for the Pac-12 crown not too long ago, has lost five of their last eight.
Utah won its first Pac-12 road game but lost the series to Oregon State.
Washington had its eight game win streak snapped at ASU but did manage to go 3-3 in the Grand Canyon State, 2-1 at UA and 1-2 in Tempe.
1. No. 6 Oregon (36-6, 13-2) LW: 2
This week: at Portland State (2 games)
Week four: W 5-3, W 8-0 (5 innings), W 9-0 (5 innings), vs. Arizona
2. No. 2 ASU (38-5, 9-3) LW: 1
This week: at Utah
Week four: L 3-1, W 7-1, W 2-1, vs. Washington
3. No. 13 Washington (32-12, 10-5) LW: 4
This week: vs. Stanford
Week four: W 3-1, L 7-1, L 2-1, at ASU
4. No. 8 California (32-8, 7-5) LW: 3
This week: vs. Santa Clara (1 game), vs. Oregon State
Week four: L 6-5 (9 innings), L 3-2 (9 innings), W 5-1 (10 innings), at UCLA
5. No. 21 UCLA (28-14, 5-10) LW: 7
This week: at Arizona
Week four: W 6-5 (9 innings), W 3-2 (9 innings), L 5-1 (10 innings), vs. Cal
6. No. 15 Stanford (28-12, 5-7) LW: 6
This week: at Washington
Week four: W 7-1, vs. San Jose State
7. No. 22 Arizona (27-17, 4-8) LW: 5
This week: vs. UCLA
Week four: L 5-3, L 8-0 (5 innings), L 9-0 (5 innings), at Oregon
8. Oregon State (26-15, 3-9) LW: 9
This week: at Cal
Week four: W 6-2, L 11-2, W 10-2 (5 innings), vs. Utah
9. Utah (18-23-1, 4-11) LW: 8
This week: at Utah State, vs. ASU
Week four: L 6-2, W 11-2, L 10-2 (5 innings), vs. Oregon State
