Both Arizona major-college softball programs rolled through their respective NCAA Regionals over the weekend in Tempe and Tucson, the first of two steps necessary to earn a coveted spot in the College World Series.
Neither squad really was tested in the four-team tourney, each going unbeaten in three games to move on to the Super Regionals this weekend.
Though the Arizona Wildcats by far have the greater historical pedigree, the ASU Sun Devils seem to have it all going on at the moment, what with dominant freshman pitcher Dallas Escobedo and a very strong contingent of hitters.
Arizona has struggled much of the season against the better competition, in large part due to the physical ups-and-downs of its ace hurler, Kenzie Fowler.
Of course, "struggling" is a relative word, as the Cats have a 43-16 record and a Top Ten ranking going into this weekend's best-of-three series in Tucson against the formidable Oklahoma Sooners.
Oklahoma crushed Arizona earlier this season, and swept the season series 2-0, but postseason play is a whole new ballgame.
ASUm which is the nation's number-one ranked team at the moment, will be facing 16th-seeded Texas A&M in Tempe in its Super Regional series. It's scheduled to start this Thursday night at 8.
We're going over to Tempe for the Thursday game--women's fast-pitch is a blast!
Just yesterday, we played in a fast-pitch tourney over in LA on the same team as one of Arizona's great all-time pitchers, Debbie Day, who carried the team to the national championship in 1991 and a runners-up finish the following year.
These days, Debbie more than holds her own in a good Southern California men's league, and she is a terrific teammate. Would have loved to have seen her throw during her U of A days.
The winners of the eight Super Regionals around the nation advance to the College World Series, which is set for June 2-8 at the beautiful yard in Oklahoma City.
