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Andrea Adelson
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Alex Scarborough
Three groups that reached final yr’s Girls’s Faculty World Collection are among the many 16 competing within the St. Pete/Clearwater Elite Invitational this weekend.
From Thursday by means of Sunday, there will probably be 40 video games throughout ESPN2, ESPNU, SEC Community, ACC Community, Longhorn Community and ESPN+ in one of many greatest early-season tournaments in faculty softball.
The invitational begins with Notre Dame-Tennessee on Thursday (10 a.m. ET, ESPNU/ESPN App) and concludes with UCLA-Florida State on Sunday (7 p.m. ET, ESPN2/ESPN App) in a battle between the 2019 and 2018 nationwide champions.
We break down every staff and let you understand how and when you’ll be able to watch them over the subsequent 4 days.
Auburn Tigers
2021 document: 27-24 (eradicated in NCAA regional)
Event schedule: vs. Texas Tech (Thursday, 12:30 p.m. ET, SEC Community)
at Wisconsin (Friday, 11:30 a.m. ET, ESPN+)
at Texas (Friday, 4 p.m. ET, Longhorn Community)
vs. UCLA (Saturday, 10 a.m. ET, ESPNU)
at South Florida (Sunday, midday ET, ESPN+)
X issue: LHP Shelby Lowe. The lefty emerged because the Tigers’ go-to pitcher in brief order as a freshman final season, throwing 105 extra innings than the subsequent closest participant on the roster. However she wasn’t merely a workhorse for coach Mickey Dean. Shelby went 13-11 in 26 begins. She walked solely 28 batters and posted a 1.48 ERA, changing into the primary Auburn freshman pitcher ever to earn a spot on the All-SEC staff.
Clemson Tigers
2021 document: 44-8 (eradicated in NCAA regional)
Event schedule: vs. Texas Tech (Thursday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ACCN)
vs. Tennessee (Friday, 6 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
vs. Northwestern (Saturday, 11 a.m. ET, ACCN)
vs. Wisconsin (Saturday, 5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
vs. Washington (Sunday, 10 a.m. ET, ESPNU)
X issue: RHP/UTL Valerie Cagle. Not solely did she lead the staff in hits (63), RBIs (45), walks (27), homers (17), doubles (12), batting common (.404) and slugging share (.821) final season, however Cagle additionally led the ACC with a 1.16 ERA and tied for seventh nationally in saves with 5. In doing so, she grew to become the primary participant in league historical past to be named the 2021 ACC Softball Participant and Freshman of the 12 months.
Florida State Seminoles
2021 document: 49-13-1 (eradicated in WCWS championship collection)
Event schedule: vs. Tennessee (Thursday, 4 p.m. ET, ESPNU)
vs. Texas (Friday, 1 p.m. ET, ESPNU)
vs. Michigan (Saturday, 1 p.m. ET, ACC Community)
vs. UCF (Sunday, 12:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
vs. UCLA (Sunday, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
X issue: 3B Sydney Sherrill. A 3-time all-conference choice, Sherrill returns for her redshirt senior season as a preseason All-American and the reigning ACC Defensive Participant of the 12 months. Already first at school historical past in doubles (66), she may additional ascend the document books at Florida State when she begins the season ranked sixth in house runs (34), fifth in RBIs (168) and seventh in whole bases (401).
LSU Tigers
2021 document: 35-22 (eradicated in NCAA tremendous regional)
Event schedule: at Oklahoma State (Friday, 4 p.m. ET, ESPNU)
vs. Washington (Friday, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
vs. Notre Dame (Saturday, 10:30 a.m. ET, SEC Community)
vs. Michigan (Saturday, 5 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
vs. Texas Tech (Sunday, 9 a.m. ET, SEC Community)
X issue: SS Taylor Pleasants. A breakout star in 2021, Pleasants hit .316 with 49 RBIs, 37 runs and a team-high 13 house runs, incomes the SEC Newcomer of the 12 months award and a spot on the NFCA All-American staff. However now that Aliyah Andrews and Amanda Doyle are gone, much more will probably be on Pleasants’ shoulders this season. Already a contender for SEC Participant of the 12 months, she is certainly one of seven gamers from the convention to make the USA Softball nationwide staff.
Michigan Wolverines
2021 document: 38-8 (eradicated in NCAA regional)
Event schedule: at Oklahoma State (Friday, 10 a.m. ET, ESPNU)
vs. UCF (Friday, 3 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
at Florida State (Saturday, 1 p.m. ET, ACC Community)
at LSU (Saturday, 5 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
X issue: SPs Meghan Beaubien and Alex Storako. Beaubien’s resolution to make the most of an additional yr of eligibility on account of COVID-19 means the Wolverines return the most effective and most skilled pitching duos within the nation. Storako posted a 1.05 ERA and was the Huge Ten Pitcher of the 12 months in 2021. Beaubien wasn’t far behind with a 1.24 ERA and a spot on the All-Huge Ten first staff. And so they each have one thing to show after not advancing previous the NCAA regionals final season, together with a bitter knockout loss to Washington when the 2 pitchers every threw three innings and gave up 4 earned runs apiece.
Northwestern Wildcats
2021 document: 30-17 (eradicated in NCAA regional)
Event schedule: at Texas Tech (Friday, 10:30 a.m. ET, ESPN+)
vs. UCLA (Friday, 1 p.m. ET, ESPNU)
at Clemson (Saturday, 11 a.m. ET, ACC Community)
at Oklahoma State (Sunday, 9:30 a.m. ET, ESPN+)
X issue: LHP Danielle Williams. Expectations had been sky-high for Williams after she was named the Schutt Sports activities/NFCA Nationwide Freshman of the 12 months again in 2019, so it was a stunner when her ERA ballooned from 1.55 to three.57 as a sophomore. However final season felt like a return to regular as she went 17-7 with a 2.21 ERA, putting out 191 batters in 158.1 innings and incomes All Huge Ten honors.
Notre Dame Preventing Irish
2021 document: 33-15 (eradicated in NCAA regional)
Event schedule: at Tennessee (Thursday, 10 a.m. ET, ESPNU)
vs. Wisconsin (Thursday, 6:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
vs. South Florida (Friday, 3 p.m. ET, ACC Community)
at LSU (Saturday, 10:30 a.m., SEC Community)
at Texas (Sunday, 11 a.m. ET, ESPN+)
X issue: OF Abby Candy. An anchor within the outfield and within the batting lineup, Candy led the ACC in batting common (.455) and doubles (18) final season, whereas additionally being the second hardest participant within the convention to strikeout (as soon as each 15.9 at-bats). She returns for her fifth yr after having not solely set a faculty document for on-base share (.537), however after changing into solely the twentieth participant in program historical past to earn All-American honors.
Oklahoma State Cowgirls
2021 document: 48-12 (eradicated in WCWS)
Event schedule: vs. Michigan (Friday, 10 a.m. ET, ESPNU)
vs. LSU (Friday, 4 p.m. ET, ESPNU)
at South Florida (Saturday, 1:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
vs. Washington (Saturday, 6 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
vs. Northwestern (Sunday, 9:30 a.m. ET, ESPN+)
X issue: LHP Kelly Maxwell. Within the phrases of teammate Chyenne Issue, Maxwell got here out as a sophomore final season and “was simply mowing all people down and it actually hasn’t stopped.” In 116 innings pitched, Maxwell struck out 147 batters and walked solely 34. Not solely is she slated to turn out to be the ace of the workers in 2022, she’s promising “some new tips within the bag,” which must be terrifying for opposing hitters.
South Florida Bulls
2021 document: 31-19 (eradicated in NCAA regional)
Event schedule: at Notre Dame (Friday, 3 p.m. ET, ACC Community)
vs. Oklahoma State (Saturday, 1:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
vs. Auburn (Sunday, midday ET, ESPN+)
at Wisconsin (Sunday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
X issue: P Georgina Corrick. The 2-time All-American already broke the American Athletic Convention document for strikeouts throughout opening weekend in a 4-1 upset win over Michigan, passing the mark of 903 set by Tulsa’s Emily Watson (2015-18). Corrick presently has 906 profession strikeouts and desires 198 to interrupt the varsity profession document of 1,103 set by Sara Nevins (2011-14). Final season, she went 24-9 — together with 15 shutouts, probably the most in Division I.
Tennessee Girl Vols
2021 document: 42-15 (eradicated in NCAA regional)
Event schedule: vs. Notre Dame (Thursday, 10 a.m. ET, ESPNU)
at Florida State (Thursday, 4 p.m. ET, ESPNU)
vs. Washington (Friday, 12:30 p.m. ET, SEC Community)
at Clemson (Friday, 6 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
at UCF (Saturday, 10:30 a.m. ET, ESPN+)
X issue: OF Kiki Milloy. The preseason All-SEC alternative obtained off to a very good begin on opening weekend with a team-high six hits and 4 RBIs mixed within the Felsberg Invitational at FIU. Milloy had a breakout sophomore yr in 2021, with 59 hits and 50 runs scored. As well as, she had 37 steals in 40 makes an attempt final season, probably the most of any participant within the SEC and sixth nationally.
Texas Longhorns
2021 document: 43-14 (eradicated in NCAA tremendous regional)
Event schedule: at Florida State (Friday, 1 p.m. ET, ESPNU)
vs. Auburn (Friday, 4 p.m. ET, Longhorn Community)
at UCLA (Saturday, 4 p.m. ET, ESPNU)
vs. Notre Dame (Sunday, 11 a.m. ET, ESPN+)
X issue: 2B Janae Jefferson. The fifth-year tremendous senior and veteran chief of the Longhorns has extra she desires to perform at Texas, particularly after ending one recreation away from a berth within the Girls’s Faculty World Collection a yr in the past. She’s already the varsity’s profession chief in batting common and hits, and was lately chosen to the 2022 USA Softball nationwide staff World Video games roster.
Texas Tech Purple Raiders
2021 document: 21-26
Event schedule: at Auburn (Thursday, 12:30 p.m. ET, SEC Community)
at Clemson (Thursday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ACC Community)
vs. Northwestern (Friday, 10:30 a.m. ET, ESPN+)
vs. UCF (Friday, 6 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
at Washington (Saturday, 2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
at LSU (Sunday, 9 a.m. ET, SEC Community)
X issue: RF Carson Armijo. Armijo has already made a right away influence just a few video games into her Texas Tech profession. After taking part in in just one recreation as a freshman at UCLA final yr, Armijo transferred to her house state and delivered the game-winning hit in two video games on the identical day on the College of Houston Invitational, victories over Houston and UTSA.
UCF Knights
2021 document: 41-19-1 (eradicated in NCAA regional)
Event schedule: at Wisconsin (Thursday, 1 p.m. ET, ESPNU)
at Michigan (Friday, 3 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
at Texas Tech (Friday, 6 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
vs. Tennessee (Saturday, 10:30 a.m. ET, ESPN+)
at Texas (Saturday, 7 p.m. ET, Longhorn Community)
at Florida State (Sunday, 12:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
X issue: 1B Shannon Doherty. Contemplating Doherty led UCF in house runs final season, it ought to come as no shock that she got here by means of on opening weekend in an upset over ranked Georgia. Doherty hit the walk-off house run that beat the Dawgs to open the CFX Basic. Final season, Doherty hit 11 house runs and hit .307, and he or she was named to the American Athletic Convention All-Rookie staff.
UCLA Bruins
2021 document: 47-7 (eradicated in WCWS)
Event schedule: at Northwestern (Friday, 1 p.m. ET, ESPNU)
at Auburn (Saturday, 10 a.m. ET, ESPNU)
vs. Texas (Saturday, 4 p.m. ET, ESPNU)
vs. Wisconsin (Sunday, midday ET, ESPN+)
at Florida State (Sunday, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
X issue: P Megan Faraimo. Because the ace of the UCLA pitching workers, Faraimo posted a powerful efficiency within the opening Mark Campbell Invitational, going 2-0 with out permitting an earned run and putting out 18. Final season, she was an NFCA All-American and made the Pac-12 first staff after going 19-3 with a league-best 1.10 ERA. An damage stored her out of the WCWS, so a wholesome Faraimo will look to guide the Bruins again.
Washington Huskies
2021 document: 45-14 (eradicated in NCAA tremendous regional)
Event schedule: at Tennessee (Friday, 12:30 p.m. ET, SEC Community)
at LSU (Friday, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
vs. Texas Tech (Saturday, 2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
at Oklahoma State (Saturday, 6 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
at Clemson (Sunday, 10 a.m. ET, ESPNU)
X issue: P Gabbie Plain. Returning for a fifth season, Plain opened the yr within the Puerto Vallarta Faculty Problem proper the place she left off, going 2-0 with 17 strikeouts and no runs allowed to earn a spot on the all-tournament staff. The reigning Pac-12 Pitcher of the 12 months led the NCAA with 32 wins in 2021 and completed third within the NCAA in strikeouts (337).
Wisconsin Badgers
2021 document: 18-22
Event schedule: vs. UCF (Thursday, 1 p.m. ET, ESPNU)
at Notre Dame (Thursday, 6:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
vs. Auburn (Friday, 11:30 a.m. ET, ESPN+)
at Clemson (Saturday, 5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
at UCLA (Sunday, midday ET, ESPN+)
vs. South Florida (Sunday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
X issue: IF Kayla Konwent. Konwent may very well be in competition for Comeback Participant of the 12 months this season. In 2019, she grew to become the primary softball participant at school historical past to win Huge Ten Participant of the 12 months honors with single-season faculty information in six completely different classes, together with batting common (.459), RBIs (53) and residential runs (15). She stepped away from the sport however in the end determined to return for 2022, and within the opening Northern Lights Southern Nights Event final weekend, she tied Ellie Hubbard with a team-high 5 hits.