Pac-12 softball set for 2020 season
Pac-12 softball teams are set to start 2020 nonconference play this week and games will be televised on Pac-12 Networks starting on Friday.
On Thursday, CALIFORNIA heads to Miami, Fla. for the FIU Invitational, STANFORD heads to Phoenix, Ariz. for the GCU Kickoff Tournament, OREGON travels to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico for the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge and UCLA hosts the Stacy Winsberg Memorial Tournament.
ARIZONA STATE hosts the annual Kajikawa Classic where ARIZONA, ASU and UTAH will kick off their 2020 seasons. OREGON STATE heads to Las Vegas, Nevada for the Rebel Kickoff hosted by UNLV and WASHINGTON heads to Atlanta, Ga. for the Buzz Classic hosted by Georgia Tech.
Pac-12 Networks will televise 13 games in the opening weekend of Pac-12 softball, including the Pac-12 Arizona and Pac-12 Mountain channels.
Four teams are ranked in the USA Today/NFCA preseason poll and five teams are ranked in the ESPN.com/USA Softball preseason poll with Washington leading the league at No. 1 and No. 2, respectively. The Huskies were also voted the favorite to win the Pac-12 regular season by the league’s coaches.
The 2020 season is highlighted by a number of returning talents including seven First-Team NFCA All-Americans. In addition, twelve Pac-12 student-athletes appear on the USA Softball Top 50 Collegiate Player of the Year watch list, as well.
Last season, UCLA was crowned the 2019 National Champion, earning the 12th title in program history and the 24th title for the conference. Arizona and Washington also advanced to Oklahoma City for the NCAA Women’s College World Series, marking the 23rd time at least three Pac-12 Softball teams advanced to the WCWS.