After three weeks of softball, it appears that No. 2 Arizona State and No. 9 Oregon are distancing themselves from the Pac-12 and UCLA was embarrassed at Utah.
Although the Sun Devils (36-4, 7-2 Pac-12) finally lost a game, at No. 14 Stanford (27-12, 5-7), 4-3, they did rule the Cardinal in the game before, 11-2 in six innings to win the series.
Meanwhile, the Ducks (33-6, 10-2) solidified their spot in second place with a series win over No. 4 California (30-6, 6-3). Oregon hosts UA this weekend.
The Oregon Trail will be tough for No. 22 Arizona (26-13, 4-5), as the UO is undefeated at home and the Wildcats are 2-1 on the road. The UA has won three straight and exploded offensively of late though, beating Cal 7-3 and UC Santa Barbara 12-2 and 9-0, both in five innings.
In Salt Lake City, Utah (16-20-1, 3-9) won its first ever Pac-12 series, over No. 15 UCLA (26-13, 3-9). The Bruins have almost as many national championships, 12,* as Utah has NCAA tournament appearances, 13.
On Sunday, @UCLASoftball tweeted:
“Courage is not developed when all is easy, it comes from persevering that which is hard and never stop believing.”
Depressing.
No. 15 Washington (31-10, 9-3) has won seven in a row after sweeping Oregon State (24-14, 1-8). Not only is the Beavers’ new logo unfavorable, but so has been their play of late, losing nine of their last 10.
*UCLA has one national title from before the NCAA recognized women’s sports, 12 titles, 11 NCAA titles.
1. No. 2 ASU (36-4, 7-2) This week: vs. Washington
Week three: W 12-6, W 11-2 (6 innings), L 4-3 at Stanford
2. No. 9 Oregon (33-6, 10-2) This week: vs. Arizona
Week three: W 5-1, L 3-1, W 9-3 at Cal
3. No. 4 California (30-6, 6-3), This week: vs. St. Mary’s (1 game), at UCLA
Week three: L 5-1, W 3-1, L 9-3 vs. Oregon
4. No. 15 Washington (31-10, 9-3) This week: at ASU
Week three: W 14-2 (5 innings), W 8-6, W 2-1 vs. Oregon State
5. No. 22 Arizona (26-13, 4-5) This week: at Oregon
Week three: W 12-2 (5 innings), W 9-0 (5 innings) vs. UC Santa Barbara
6. No. 14 Stanford (27-12, 5-7) This week: vs. San Jose State (1 game), vs. St. Mary’s (1 game)
Week three: L 12-6, L 11-2 (6 innings), W 4-3 vs. ASU
7. No. 15 UCLA (26-13, 3-9) This week: vs. Cal
Week three: W 6-4, L 7-4, L 8-3, at Utah
8. Utah (16-20-1, 3-9) This week: vs. Weber State (2 games), vs. Oregon State
Week three: L 6-4, W 7-4, W 8-3, vs. UCLA
9. Oregon State (24-14, 1-8) This week: vs. Utah
Week three: L 14-2 (5 innings), L 8-6, L 2-1 at Washington