Arizona is back in the NCAA Softball Tournament.
After missing out on postseason last year, the Wildcats (34-16-1 overall, 13-11 in PAC-12 play) earned an at-large bid to the big dance on Sunday with a trip to Fayetteville, Arkansas for the regionals. Arizona will open up the Fayetteville Regional against Big East champion Villanova (31-22 overall, 19-5 in Big East play) on Friday, May 17 at 3 p.m. MST inside Bogle Park.
It is the 36th all-time appearance in the NCAA Tournament for the Wildcats, who rank second all-time for most Women’s College World Series titles at eight.
MORE: Watch Arizona vs. Villanova in the 2024 NCAA Softball Tournament on ESPN+
Arizona brings one of the nation’s top offenses and defenses in the country into the NCAA Tournament, as the Wildcats are second in the NCAA in fielding percentage (98.2%) and 12th in batting average (.330) and 19th in home runs (65). Watch out for Arizona’s Regan Shockey, the Wildcats star freshman centerfielder who ranks second and fourth amongst all freshman in the country in hits (76) and batting average (.413).
As for the other side of the Wildcats vs. Wildcats matchup, Villanova is coming off a strong showing in the Big East Tournament this past weekend where it claimed its third conference tournament title in the last four years with wins over St. John’s, UConn and Creighton.
Caroline Pellicano enters the NCAA Tournament as Villanova’s top pitcher, and is coming off a big conference tournament where she was named Most Outstanding Player where she recorded two saves across three shutout outings in relief with a win.
If Arizona wins on Friday against Villanova, it will face the winner of No. 12 seed Arkansas vs. Southeast Missouri State.
Here’s what you need to know on how to watch Arizona take on Villanova in the first round of the NCAA Softball Tournament on Friday:
What channel is Arizona vs. Villanova softball on today? How to watch, stream
ESPN+ will stream No. 17 ranked Arizona vs. Villanova in the first round of the 2024…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/channel-arizona-vs-villanova-softball-120127305.html
Author : AZCentral | The Arizona Republic
Publish date : 2024-05-17 12:01:27
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