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As the Big 12 softball tournament arrives, there is no question which team is expected to be handed the hardware after Saturday’s championship game.
Defending champ Texas Tech won 50 games and cruised to the regular-season title with only three conference losses — five fewer than anyone else.
But if you’re a fan of the underdog, here are a few reasons to consider other contenders.
Second-seeded Oklahoma State is as hot as just about anyone lately, with senior pitcher Ruby Meylan dialed in at a level of consistency that is hard to match. And the Cowgirl offense is producing behind her, which has been the recipe for 15 straight wins in games Meylan pitched.
Though Arizona State dipped to the No. 6 seed, pitcher Kenzie Brown is an equalizer, giving the Sun Devils a chance to win anytime she’s in the circle.
Third-seeded Arizona is limping in off a pair of losses at Utah, but the Wildcats have otherwise been incredibly consistent this season. Kansas has been on the rise lately and has a lineup anchored by the likes of Hailey Cripe, Anna Soles and Ella Boyer that should make opposing pitchers nervous.
Fourth-seeded UCF gets production from a variety of spots in its lineup, which powered the Knights to 14 conference wins. And even No. 7 Utah is coming off a series in which it took two of three from Arizona.
So yes, Texas Tech is clearly the conference’s best team. But in a single-elimination format, anything can happen. Here’s a look at the final power rankings of the season:
Super 16 college softball rankings: How tight is Oklahoma's grip on No. 1 in final poll?
Record: 50-5 overall, 21-3 Big 12
Last week’s ranking: 1
After clinching the regular-season title two weekends ago, Texas Tech closed the regular season with its 50th win of the year and remains a strong favorite at the Big 12 Tournament, as well as a legitimate national title contender.
Record: 37-14, 16-8
Last week’s ranking: 2
Carried by Ruby Meylan’s dominant pitching and an uptick in home runs of late, the Cowgirls earned the No. 2 seed in the Big 12 Tournament by winning 12 of their last 15 conference games.
Record: 35-15, 16-8
Last week’s ranking: 3
The Wildcats closed the regular season out with back-to-back losses at Utah, the last of which via run rule, leaving a bad taste in their mouths ahead of the Big 12 Tournament.
Record: 38-15-1, 14-9-1
Last week’s ranking: 4
The Knights bounced back from a painful walk-off loss at Iowa State on Saturday to win the Sunday game and clinch a fourth-place finish in the league.
Record: 34-18, 14-10
Last week’s ranking: 5
Despite losing 2 of 3 at Oklahoma State in the final weekend, Kansas closed the regular season strong with five wins in the last eight games.
More: Oklahoma State softball coach Kenny Gajewski faces unique decision at Big 12 Tournament
Record: 35-19-1, 10-13-1
Last week’s ranking: 8
Half of Utah’s conference wins came against the Arizona schools, taking two from Arizona last week and sweeping Arizona State in March.
Record: 38-16, 11-13
Last week’s ranking: 6
The Sun Devils ended the regular season at No. 24 in the RPI, but struggled against the top half of the conference, with six of their Big 12 wins coming against teams that didn’t qualify for the tournament.
Record: 28-25, 10-14
Last week’s ranking: 7
The Bears were left to sit and watch on Sunday as their spot in the Big 12 Tournament was in peril, but they hung on for the final seed and will open play against Texas Tech — a team the Bears beat once in three games last week.
Record: 32-23, 9-15
Last week’s ranking: 9
The Cyclones reached the 30-win mark and made a run at the No. 8 spot in the Big 12 Tournament, but came up short with a loss to UCF on the final day of the regular season.
Record: 18-33, 7-17
Last week’s ranking: 10
After a strong spurt in mid-April, BYU closed the season with five losses in its last six games.
Record: 20-31, 3-21
Last week’s ranking: 11
With the Cougars’ open week in Big 12 play coming on the final weekend, their season ended on April 26, having lost their final nine games.
Scott Wright covers Oklahoma State athletics for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Scott? He can be reached at [email protected] or on X at @ScottWrightOK. Support Scott’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com or by using the link at the top of this page.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Big 12 softball power rankings: Who challenges Texas Tech in tourney?
Continue reading...
Defending champ Texas Tech won 50 games and cruised to the regular-season title with only three conference losses — five fewer than anyone else.
But if you’re a fan of the underdog, here are a few reasons to consider other contenders.
Second-seeded Oklahoma State is as hot as just about anyone lately, with senior pitcher Ruby Meylan dialed in at a level of consistency that is hard to match. And the Cowgirl offense is producing behind her, which has been the recipe for 15 straight wins in games Meylan pitched.
Though Arizona State dipped to the No. 6 seed, pitcher Kenzie Brown is an equalizer, giving the Sun Devils a chance to win anytime she’s in the circle.
Third-seeded Arizona is limping in off a pair of losses at Utah, but the Wildcats have otherwise been incredibly consistent this season. Kansas has been on the rise lately and has a lineup anchored by the likes of Hailey Cripe, Anna Soles and Ella Boyer that should make opposing pitchers nervous.
Fourth-seeded UCF gets production from a variety of spots in its lineup, which powered the Knights to 14 conference wins. And even No. 7 Utah is coming off a series in which it took two of three from Arizona.
So yes, Texas Tech is clearly the conference’s best team. But in a single-elimination format, anything can happen. Here’s a look at the final power rankings of the season:
Super 16 college softball rankings: How tight is Oklahoma's grip on No. 1 in final poll?
1. Texas Tech
Record: 50-5 overall, 21-3 Big 12
Last week’s ranking: 1
After clinching the regular-season title two weekends ago, Texas Tech closed the regular season with its 50th win of the year and remains a strong favorite at the Big 12 Tournament, as well as a legitimate national title contender.
2. Oklahoma State
Record: 37-14, 16-8
Last week’s ranking: 2
Carried by Ruby Meylan’s dominant pitching and an uptick in home runs of late, the Cowgirls earned the No. 2 seed in the Big 12 Tournament by winning 12 of their last 15 conference games.
3. Arizona
Record: 35-15, 16-8
Last week’s ranking: 3
The Wildcats closed the regular season out with back-to-back losses at Utah, the last of which via run rule, leaving a bad taste in their mouths ahead of the Big 12 Tournament.
4. UCF
Record: 38-15-1, 14-9-1
Last week’s ranking: 4
The Knights bounced back from a painful walk-off loss at Iowa State on Saturday to win the Sunday game and clinch a fourth-place finish in the league.
5. Kansas
Record: 34-18, 14-10
Last week’s ranking: 5
Despite losing 2 of 3 at Oklahoma State in the final weekend, Kansas closed the regular season strong with five wins in the last eight games.
More: Oklahoma State softball coach Kenny Gajewski faces unique decision at Big 12 Tournament
6. Utah
Record: 35-19-1, 10-13-1
Last week’s ranking: 8
Half of Utah’s conference wins came against the Arizona schools, taking two from Arizona last week and sweeping Arizona State in March.
7. Arizona State
Record: 38-16, 11-13
Last week’s ranking: 6
The Sun Devils ended the regular season at No. 24 in the RPI, but struggled against the top half of the conference, with six of their Big 12 wins coming against teams that didn’t qualify for the tournament.
8. Baylor
Record: 28-25, 10-14
Last week’s ranking: 7
The Bears were left to sit and watch on Sunday as their spot in the Big 12 Tournament was in peril, but they hung on for the final seed and will open play against Texas Tech — a team the Bears beat once in three games last week.
9. Iowa State
Record: 32-23, 9-15
Last week’s ranking: 9
The Cyclones reached the 30-win mark and made a run at the No. 8 spot in the Big 12 Tournament, but came up short with a loss to UCF on the final day of the regular season.
10. BYU
Record: 18-33, 7-17
Last week’s ranking: 10
After a strong spurt in mid-April, BYU closed the season with five losses in its last six games.
11. Houston
Record: 20-31, 3-21
Last week’s ranking: 11
With the Cougars’ open week in Big 12 play coming on the final weekend, their season ended on April 26, having lost their final nine games.
Scott Wright covers Oklahoma State athletics for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Scott? He can be reached at [email protected] or on X at @ScottWrightOK. Support Scott’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com or by using the link at the top of this page.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Big 12 softball power rankings: Who challenges Texas Tech in tourney?
Continue reading...
