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Pac-12 Conference

The Conference
of Champions

5 takeaways from the Pac-12's excellence in NCAA Softball Regionals

by Ryan Kelapire
May 23, 2022
Photo courtesy Oregon State Athletics
Photo courtesy Oregon State Athletics

NCAA Softball Regionals were a roaring success for the Pac-12, which advanced five teams to Super Regionals, the most of any conference.

Altogether, the Pac-12 posted a 22-6 record with UCLA, Arizona State, and Arizona going a perfect 3-0. Plenty of history was made too, as Stanford advanced to Supers for the first time since 2011 and Oregon State for the first time since 2006. Those two will meet up at Stanford this weekend in an all-Pac-12 Super Regional.

The full Super Regionals schedule can be found here, and below are five takeaways from the weekend.

1. Stanford put the nation on notice

The nation may have been stunned when Stanford pulled off the upset in Tuscaloosa, snapping No. 6 Alabama's 44-game winning streak and becoming the first team ever to knock out the Crimson Tide in Regionals. Anyone who has been following this team shouldn't have been.

There was evidence all throughout the regular season that Stanford was capable of this.

Remember: the Cardinal took series from UCLA and Arizona State in Pac-12 play after beating No. 7 Oklahoma State and No. 15 Missouri on their home fields during the non-conference season.

This is a team that, because of its pitching and defense, can beat anyone.

Alana Vawter and Regan Krause continued to do what they do, allowing just one run across in three victories in Tuscaloosa, outshining former National Pitcher of the Year Montana Fouts.

The Cardinal offense, which did not hit a single homer in Tuscaloosa, has shown it can manufacture runs and hit in the clutch. This time of year, that's all that matters.

Look no further than Aly Kaneshiro's game-winning double in the Regional Final. It scored Taylor Gindlesperger and Sydnee Huff, who were sacrificed into scoring position after leading off the inning with singles.

That's Stanford softball. Now everyone in the country knows.

2. Mazon was Oregon State's — and perhaps the nation's — MVP

It's hard to find a player more valuable to her team than Mariah Mazon.

The Beavers' star two-way player pitched 15 innings, hit three homers and drove in nine of OSU's 20 runs in the Knoxville Regional.

Mazon came through with the biggest hit of the weekend, clubbing a go-ahead two-run homer in the sixth inning of the winner-take-all game vs. No. 11 Tennessee on Sunday.

To top it off, she relieved Sarah Haendiges in the circle in the seventh inning to seal the victory.

Mazon will be rewarded with her first trip to Super Regionals, a fitting destination for a player who has meant so much to the Oregon State program. Not just this season or in the Knoxville Regional, but throughout her career.

3. Arizona's pitching is peaking at the right time

The Wildcats were dead last in the Pac-12 in ERA during the regular season, but don't tell the folks in Missouri, who were treated to some dominant pitching performances. Arizona allowed just three runs in 21 innings in the Columbia Regional.

Hanah Bowen and Devyn Netz each pitched a complete-game shutout against No. 15 Missouri, as the Cats became the only team to blank the Tigers twice this season.

Considering Arizona did not record any shutouts during Pac-12 play, it was a pleasant surprise.

Then again, maybe it shouldn’t have been.

Bowen, who pitched 14 innings, entered the NCAA Tournament with a wealth of postseason experience. That shined through when she made big pitches to get out of some dicey situations.

Of course, we also must mention Arizona's defense, which did not make a single error and had its share of highlight plays, including this SportsCenter-worthy snag by third baseman Izzy Pacho in foul territory.

Already armed with a top-15 scoring offense in the country, Arizona has a real shot to reach its third straight Women's College World Series if this keeps up. Only Mississippi State, an unseeded team, stands in the way. Impressive turnaround for a team that, at one point, was 0-8 in Pac-12 play.

4. UCLA and Arizona State took care of business

Upsets were rampant throughout the country, but the Pac-12's two highest seeds had no trouble winning their home Regionals, both going 3-0 with sizable run differentials. UCLA head coach Kelly Inouye-Perez credited the strength of the Pac-12 for preparing her team for the postseason.

The No. 5-seeded Bruins outscored Grand Canyon, Loyola Marymount and Ole Miss, 28-3, while No. 8 ASU outslugged Cal State Fullerton and San Diego State, 24-14.

It should have them riding high into Supers when they will host No. 12 Duke and No. 9 Northwestern, respectively.

5. Gabbie Plain gave it everything she had in her final games as a Husky

No. 13 Washington fell painstakingly short against Texas, dropping a 3-2 contest in the Seattle Regional Final, stranding the potential tying run on second in the seventh inning.

The loss ended Gabbie Plain's collegiate career, but she can leave Husky Softball Stadium knowing that she left it all out on the field.

Plain pitched 22 innings and threw 364 pitches in the Seattle Regional, including 215 on Sunday in two games against Texas.

Beaming with her signature smile, the Australian received a well-deserved standing ovation from the home crowd when she exited the circle for the final time.

Plain's expansive résumé includes two Women's College World Series appearances, the 2021 Pac-12 Pitcher of the Year award, and her name being etched all over the Washington record books. A true legend of the sport.

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