The Lineup: Top 15 matchups in the Big 12, ACC & SEC take place
It’s a big weekend for the Big 12, ACC and SEC. The Jayhawks get their first taste of the Big Three in the Big 12 with a date against the Sooners. Meanwhile, the Longhorns and Cowgirls face off in Stillwater. The Duke and Virginia Tech series could decide the ACC regular season champion. Florida has another chance to cement itself as a Top 10. Will the Aggies keep rolling or will the Tigers rebound? Louisiana Tech takes on another top Conference USA foe. Jessica Mullins versus Olivia Lackie is must-see TV.
1. No. 1 Oklahoma @ No. 18 Kansas
Where: Lawrence, Kan.
When: March 28-30
What’s it on: ESPN+
What do we want to see: Can Kansas’ pitching duo give the Jayhawks a chance? Oklahoma’s lineup is clicking once again, Kasey Hamilton and Katie Brooks will need to be their best.
2. No. 9 Florida @ No. 15 Mississippi State
Where: Starkville, Miss.
When: March 28-30
What’s it on: SECN+
What do we want to see: The Gator offense has changed the tide the past two weeks in terms of struggling against Power Five pitching. Florida’s lineup had its way against Indiana and Kentucky. However, neither of those teams has a staff like Mississippi State’s led by Aspen Wesley and Josey Marron. That will be the matchup to watch.
3. No. 2 Texas @ No. 7 Oklahoma State
Where: Stillwater, Okla.
When: March 28-30
What’s it on: ESPN+ (Thur./Sat.) & ESPN2 (Fri.)
What do we want to see: In this critical Top 10 showdown, the biggest thing to watch is how productive the Oklahoma State lineup will be against the deep Texas staff. The Cowgirls lineup has been better than expected but has struggled from time to time against top-tier pitching, especially when the Longhorns can give a team so many different looks.
4. No. 10 Virginia Tech @ No. 4 Duke
Where: Durham, N.C.
When: March 28-30
What’s it on: ACCNX (Thur./Sat.) & ACCN (Fri.)
What do we want to see: This series could truthfully decide the regular season title in the ACC, especially if the Hokies win. Virginia Tech already has a two-game lead on the Blue Devils and doesn’t play Clemson or Florida State this season. It seems obvious but the Duke staff will need to keep the ball in the yard. Except to see a lot of Jala Wright’s changeup to keep the Hokies’ bats off-balanced.
5. No. 11 Texas A&M @ No. 13 LSU
Where: Baton Rouge, La.
When: March 28-30
What’s it on: SECN+
What do we want to see: Texas A&M’s lineup has been rolling, meanwhile LSU’s pitching staff is trying to right the ship. Texas A&M has 13 doubles and 14 home runs against SEC foes. LSU has a 3.10 ERA and .253 batting average against during conference play. Will the Tigers find a way against the Aggies? That’s the biggest question in this series.
6. Oregon @ No. 16 UCLA
Where: Los Angeles, Calif.
When: March 28-30
What’s it on: Pac-12 Networks
What do we want to see: The Ducks have won all three of their Pac-12 series, including taking two of three from Cal. This will be the biggest test yet, and one that will show how competitive the Ducks are right now. UCLA will need to score runs to help its shorthanded pitching staff to take the pressure off of them.
7. Wichita State @ Charlotte
Where: Charlotte, N.C.
When: March 28-30
What’s it on: ESPN+
What do we want to see: It’s currently a logjam atop the AAC standings, every game will matter. Wichita State leads the conference in slugging percentage (.548) and home runs (44) as Addison Barnard and CC Wong both have 10 blasts. Charlotte has allowed 21 homers, the second-most in the conference. Although they just welcomed back Sam Gress after she was absent for two weeks.
8. No. 17 Texas State @ South Alabama
Where: Mobile, Ala.
When: March 28-30
What’s it on: ESPN+
What do we want to see: The previous two Sun Belt Pitchers of the Year square off as Jessica Mullins at the Bobcats visits Olivia Lackie and the Jaguars. South Alabama took the series in San Marcos as Lackie outdueled Mullins twice. We look forward to the final edition of these two sharing the field against one another.
9. Louisiana Tech @ Liberty
Where: Lynchburg, Va.
When: March 28-30
What’s it on: ESPN+
What do we want to see: Three teams were voted to finish ahead of Louisiana Tech on the preseason Conference USA poll. The Bulldogs have taken series against two of the three in Middle Tennessee State and Western Kentucky. Liberty is the last of that group. It’ll be vital for Louisiana Tech’s Allie Floyd and Brook Melnychuk to force someone not named Rachel Roupe in the Liberty lineup to beat them. Roupe, batting .362 with a team-high nine home runs, is the lone hitter on the Flames with an average over. 300.
10. UCF @ Texas Tech
Where: Lubbock, Texas
When: March 28-30
What’s it on: ESPN+
What do we want to see: If the season ended today, Texas Tech would make the postseason based on its RPI, while UCF would firmly be on the bubble. This is an important series to pick up potential quad-one wins to help solidify a resume. UCF doesn’t hit for a ton of power, it’ll be important for Texas Tech to play solid defense and not allow too many free passes to give the Knights ample opportunities to score.
