NCAA DI Week Four: Four Things
1. Judi Garman is here
What a first month of season it has been! Between the Puerto Vallarta events, to the new St. Pete/Clearwater Elite Invitational, Mary Nutter, and now the Judi Garman we’ve all been able to watch the best softball in the country long before post season play.
Garman begins with a bang as No. 3 Florida squares off with No. 2 UCLA Wednesday the 27th in what could very well be another look into a potential Super Regional or WCWS matchup. These programs face off again on Friday March 1st as well.
Other games worth keeping an eye on include: No. 2 UCLA v. Michigan, No. 3 Florida v. No. 5 Washington, Michigan v. No. 10 Tennessee, No. 20 Oregon v. No. 10 Tennessee, CSUN v. Michigan.
2. Louisiana
The time has arrived! We finally get to see the Louisiana in a full weekend contest against stiff competition. The Ragin’ Cajuns head to Norman, OK. for two games versus the Oklahoma Sooners and the Oregon State Beavers.
3. The Unbeatens
There are five teams left in NCAA DI Softball who boast perfect records. On paper, No. 6 Alabama and No. 1 FSU should survive the weekend while No. 2 UCLA and No. 3 Florida face each other twice leaving at least one program beaten. Indiana travels to Baton Rouge for a slate of five games that includes No. 9 LSU and a strong Stephen F. Austin squad.
4. Reunion, of Sorts
No. 21 Stanford plays host to four programs at this weekend’s Stanford Invitational that includes No. 25 Northwestern and NDSU. Not only will the weekend be a great test for the Card it will reunite coaches Jessica Allister and Jessica Merchant in competition again Northwestern coaches Kate and Caryl Drohan and NDSU head coach, Darren Mueller.
While at Minnesota, coaches Allister and Merchant squared off too many times to count against both programs in intense and memorable matchups. It should be a fun weekend on “the Farm”.
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