The Lineup: Clearwater Invitational leads the way, interesting matchups elsewhere

We’ll fill out a lineup card each week with 10 of the most intriguing matchups and what we’d like to see. We’ll always have a strong leadoff hitter to get us going and the heart of the order that will meet our expectations to come through when we need them most. While the Clearwater Invitational dominates the order, matchups in Mexico, Louisiana and Arizona provide interest. Let’s be clear, this week’s lineup was tough to get everyone an at-bat.

1. No. 9 Stanford vs. No. 7 Florida State

Where: Clearwater, Fla. 
When: Feb. 15, 4 p.m. ET
What’s it on: ESPNU

What do we want to see: Our leadoff hitter is the best game from the first day of the Clearwater Invitational. There is a decent chance we will see NiJaree Canady face off against this very good Seminole lineup. We’d like to see Florida State cause chaos on the basepaths to manufacture runs against a Cardinal defense that had its struggles on opening weekend.

2. No. 4 Georgia vs. No. 10 Oklahoma State

Where: Clearwater, Fla. 
When: Feb. 16, 10 a.m. ET
What’s it on: ESPNU

What do we want to see: This will be a very fun matchup. Georgia didn’t face the most daunting schedule to open the season and this will be their first big test. The potent Bulldog lineup against a deep Cowgirl pitching staff that tries to keep the ball down is intriguing. We’d like to see what Shelby Walters, Madison Kerpics and Lilli Backes do against a younger Oklahoma State offense.

3. No. 11 LSU vs. No. 8 Washington

Where: Clearwater, Fla. 
When: Feb. 17, 4 p.m. ET
What’s it on: ESPN+

What do we want to see: Figuring out pitching matchups during these tournaments is never easy. However, getting Ruby Meylan, who pitched well against Oklahoma and Nebraska last week, against the Tigers would be the most interesting. This is the stage for Taylor Pleasants and LSU to make a statement to the country or for Washington to continue to show it is one of the best teams in the country. It’d be a little fun to see Kelley Lynch get the ball for the Tigers.

4. No. 3 Tennessee vs. No. 2 Texas

Where: Clearwater, Fla.
When: Feb. 16, 6 p.m. ET
What’s it on: Longhorn Network

What do we want to see: A Super Regional rematch and a potential Women’s College World Series preview? There are a lot of ways this game could go, but our favorite scenario is seeing Karlyn Pickens against the Longhorns. Tennessee didn’t use the reigning SEC Freshman of the Year against Texas last year. Will Pickens rise to the occasion or will Texas’ very good lineup look like it did in Westwood?

5. No. 4 Georgia vs. No. 7 Florida State

Where: Clearwater, Fla.
When: Feb. 17, 10 a.m. ET
What’s it on: ESPN2

What do we want to see: This is another Super Regional rematch. Georgia’s very good lineup only scored three runs in those games, but Makenna Reid (0.2 innings) is the only pitcher on the roster who threw in the series. How will the Florida State staff fare this time around? Will we see more progression from Emma Wilson?

6. No. 14 Utah vs. No. 21 South Carolina

Where: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
When: Feb. 15, 7 p.m. ET
What’s it on: FloSoftball ($)

What do we want to see: We’re hoping to see Alana Vawter getting another shot against these Utes. Last season, Utah swept Stanford, including getting the best of Vawter twice. What will that look like this time around in her new uniform?

7. No. 16 Baylor at No. 23 Louisiana

Where: Lafayette, La. 
When: Feb 16-18; 7:00, 5:00, 1:00 p.m. ET
What’s it on: ESPN+

What do we want to see: Both teams are looking to bounce back and prove themselves, especially Louisiana after dropping a doubleheader to Mississippi State on Tuesday. We are trying to see more offense from two teams with a lot of talent. Baylor scored three runs in two games against Tennessee, while Louisiana has three total runs during its three-game losing streak.

8. No. 12 Arkansas at Arizona 

Where: Tucson, Ariz. 
When: Feb. 16, 6 p.m. ET & Feb. 17, 4 p.m. ET
What’s it on: Arizona Live Stream

What do we want to see: Arkansas’ ceiling is going to be decided by its pitching, and that staff will be put to the test with two games in Tucson against a lineup that hits incredibly well at home. The Hogs will need good innings from everyone, including Robyn Herron, who has shown good things to start the year. It is also a great test for the young Arizona pitchers against Arkansas’ lineup.

9. No. 9 Stanford vs. No. 2 Texas

Where: Clearwater, Fla.
When: Feb. 16, 9 p.m. ET
What’s it on: ESPN2

What do we want to see: Everyone would love to see Canady against one of the best lineups in the country in primetime. Let’s go the other way. How would Regan Krause or Kylie Chung do against the Longhorns? The Cardinal’s ceiling is determined by if those two can step up, and this is a great chance to do it.

10. No. 25 Auburn vs. No. 6 Clemson

Where:Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
When: Feb. 17, 4 p.m. ET
What’s it on: FloSoftball ($)

What do we want to see: Auburn pushed Clemson to the final game in Regionals last season. That weekend, Auburn’s offense didn’t have much of an answer against Valerie Cagle, who threw 17 innings in the series and gave up three earned runs. After a lackluster weekend at home, Auburn’s lineup has a chance to make up for those shortcomings. On the flip side, we’d like Clemson continue to find offense outside of Cagle, which it struggled to do against Missouri last week.