The Lineup: Mary Nutter, Texas vs. Stanford rematch heart of the order
After Florida and Mexico dominated the landscape for the first two weeks, the focus shifts to California and the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic. Let’s look at what we are penciling in for the lineup this week.
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EVERY GAME OF THE MARY NUTTER WILL BE STREAMED ON FLOSOFTBALL
1. Oregon vs. UCF
Where: Cathedral City, Calif.
When: Feb. 22, 5:30 p.m. ET
What’s it on: FloSoftball ($)
What do we want to see: Both these teams are still trying to find their footing this season. Oregon has had a disappointing start to the season. The Ducks don’t have a marque win and are 1-4 against other Power Five opponents. UCF didn’t get a chance at its high-caliber matchups in Clearwater, with losses to UConn and North Carolina already this season the Knights are looking to get rolling again. If both teams start out the weekend wanting a win, we’ll see a good game.
2. No. 24 Virginia Tech @ No. 3 Georgia
Where: Athens, Ga.
When: Feb. 23, 5:30 p.m. & Feb. 24, 12:30 p.m. ET
What’s it on: SEC Network+ ($)
What do we want to see: The Virginia Tech lineup can be very potent, home run happy. How will the offense do against a deep rotation for Georgia? Shelby Walters, Madison Kerpics and Lilli Backes all had good innings in Clearwater, this is another good test for the Bulldogs to keep rolling in the circle.
3. No. 10 Stanford @ No. 2 Texas
Where: Austin, Texas
When: Feb. 24, 8 p.m. ET
What’s it on: Longhorn Network
What do we want to see: Not often do we see the same non-conference matchup back-to-back weeks, yet the Cardinal are visiting the Longhorns after a matchup in Clearwater. The Texas freshmen stole the show in a 9-2 win. This time around we hope to see NiJaree Canady in the circle against the Longhorn lineup.
4. No. 18 Mississippi State vs. No. 1 Oklahoma
Where: Cathedral City, Calif.
When: Feb. 23, 8:30 p.m. ET
What’s it on: FloSoftball ($)
What do we want to see: Mississippi State’s great week against three ranked opponents; Louisiana, Clemson, Utah, ended on a sour note with a loss to UC Davis. Nevertheless, the Bulldogs proved themselves this season. Aspen Wesley and Josey Marron have come out of the gates firing from the circle. Let’s see what they got against Oklahoma’s offense.
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5. No. 22 Baylor vs. No. 8 Missouri
Where: Cathedral City, Calif.
When: Feb. 24, 11 p.m. ET
What’s it on: FloSoftball ($)
What do we want to see: Baylor showed its true potential in the doubleheader sweep against Louisiana. Can the Bears keep it going? Missouri’s offense is still looking for consistency, the Tigers were no-hit in a win this past weekend. Regardless of which pitcher Baylor uses, this a great test for Missouri’s bat to prove the Tigers continue to belong with the best.
6. UCLA vs. No. 7 Tennessee
Where: Cathedral City, Calif.
When: Feb. 25, 5 p.m. ET
What’s it on: FloSoftball ($)
What do we want to see: We saw fight from the Bruins, but was that more of an indictment UCLA or Florida State? UCLA followed up its win against the Noles with a not-so-close loss to Georgia. Meanwhile, Tennesee also wants to bounce back after a pair of one-run losses in Clearwater. Karlyn Pickens has shown confidence thus far, seeing her face the UCLA lineup is what we want to see in this matchup.
7. Boston @ No. 5 Duke
Where: Raleigh, N.C.
When: Feb. 24, 5 p.m. ET
What’s it on: ACC Network Extra ($)
What do we want to see: The Blue Devils are on an eight-game winning streak and have outscored opponents 68-5 since its Opening Day loss to Oklahoma. Boston, essentially our 26th-ranked team, has its biggest test facing Duke’s red-hot lineup. Kasey Ricard and Allison Boaz have been stellar this year for the Terriers, but can they do it in a regional-type atmosphere?
8. Ole Miss @ No. 9 Clemson
Where: Clemson, S.C.
When: Feb. 23, 4 p.m. ET
What’s it on: ACC Network Extra ($)
What do we want to see: For Clemson to make the Women’s College World Series, the Tigers need to be better. The losses to Missouri and Mississippi State felt disappointing in real time. The Tigers need to have a clean weekend, facing an Ole Miss off to its best start in program history presents that chance.
9. South Alabama @ No. 20 South Carolina
Where: Columbia, S.C.
When: Feb. 24, 3 p.m. ET
What’s it on: SEC Network+ ($)
What do we want to see: Olivia Lackie has quite the resume for taking down Power Five foes. The reigning Sun Belt Pitcher of the Year is a tough task for any team. Whether it is Sage Mardjetko or Alana Vawter, it could be a really fun pitching matchup in Columbia.
10. Texas State @ GCU
Where: Phoenix, Ariz.
When: Feb. 25, 1:30 p.m. ET
What’s it on: ESPN+ ($)
What do we want to see: Hopefully the stars align on Sunday for Jessica Mullins to pitch against Grand Canyon’s loaded lineup. We saw the Lopes take down Emma Lemley and Virginia Tech last week. Mullins facing off against Kristin Fifield and Ashley Trierweiler is a top-tier talent matchup.
Bench Spot: No. 4 Washington vs. No. 11 Oklahoma State
Where: Tampa, Fla.
When: Feb. 22, 1:30 p.m. ET
Why is a Top 11 matchup on the bench? Unfortunately for softball fans everyone this won’t be on a stream.
