2022 NCAA Softball Super Regionals Preview

The NCAA Softball Tournament field has narrowed to the final 16 teams that will compete in the super regional round this week with a trip to the 2022 Women’s College World Series on the line.

The regional round featured everything possible, from extra innings to several weather delays to shocking upsets that saw five national seeds eliminated from the field. Arizona, Mississippi State, Oregon State, Stanford and Texas all shocked the softball world by going on the road and taking down the host team to move on to the next round.

Below, we preview the eight super regional matchups coming up this week.

*All games are listed in Eastern time

Norman Super Regional: (1) Oklahoma v. (16) Central Florida

Oklahoma: Won Norman Regional (14-0 Prairie View A&M, 3-2 Texas A&M, 20-0 Texas A&M)

Central Florida: Won Orlando Regional (6-0 Villanova, 3-2 Michigan, 9-4 Michigan)

Oklahoma Impact Players: Jocelyn Alo, Grace Lyons, Tiare Jennings

Central Florida Impact Players: Jada Cody, Gianna Mancha, Shannon Doherty

Biggest Question: Can the Knights’ pitching and defense slow down the potent Oklahoma offense?

Schedule:

Friday, May 27 4:30 PM ESPN2

Saturday, May 28 2:00 PM ESPN

Sunday, May 29 TBD (if necessary)

Tempe Super Regional: (8) Arizona State v. (9) Northwestern

Arizona State: Won Tempe Regional (5-2 Cal State Fullerton, 11-8 San Diego State, 8-4 San Diego State)

Northwestern: Won Evanston Regional (9-2 Oakland, 17-3 McNeese, 10-2 McNeese)

Arizona State Impact Players: Cydney Sanders, Yannira Acuna, Mac Morgan

Northwestern Impact Players: Danielle Williams, Rachel Lewis, Jordyn Rudd

Biggest Question: Can Danielle Williams keep the Arizona State bats in the yard?

Schedule:

Friday, May 27 8:00 PM ESPNU

Saturday, May 28 11:00 PM ESPN2

Sunday, May 29 TBD (if necessary)

Los Angeles Super Regional: (5) UCLA v. (12) Duke

UCLA: Won Los Angeles Regional (12-1 Grand Canyon, 7-1 Loyola Marymount, 9-1 Ole Miss)

Duke: Won Durham Regional (4-0 UMBC, 5-0 Liberty, 3-5 Georgia, 13-5 Georgia)

UCLA Impact Players: Briana Perez, Megan Faraimo, Delanie Wisz

Duke Impact Players: Kristina Foreman, Jameson Kavel, Peyton St. George

Biggest Question: Can Duke’s dangerous offense power past a dominant UCLA pitching staff?

Schedule:

Friday, May 27 11:00 PM ESPN2

Saturday, May 28 8:30 PM ESPN2

Sunday, May 29 TBD (if necessary)

Fayetteville Super Regional: (4) Arkansas v. Texas

Arkansas: Won Fayetteville Regional (11-0 Princeton, 6-2 Oregon, 9-3 Oregon)

Texas: Won Seattle Regional (6-0 Weber State, 8-2 Washington, 1-2 Washington, 3-2 Washington)

Arkansas Impact Players: Chenise Delce, Danielle Gibson, Linnie Malkin

Texas Impact Players: Hailey Dolcini, Mary Iakopo, Janae Jefferson

Biggest Question: Will the Texas defense stay steady against a hot Arkansas offense trying to make more history?

Schedule:

Thursday, May 26 7:00 PM ESPN2

Friday, May 27 4:00 PM ESPN

Saturday, May 28 TBD (if necessary)

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Blacksburg Super Regional: (3) Virginia Tech v. (14) Florida

Virginia Tech: Won Blacksburg Regional (4-0 St. Francis, 4-5 Kentucky, 5-4 Miami, 9-2 Kentucky, 5-4 Kentucky)

Florida: Won Gainesville Regional (10-1 Canisius, 7-1 Georgia Tech, 11-0 Wisconsin)

Virginia Tech Impact Players: Keely Rochard, Emma Lemley, Meredith Slaw

Florida Impact Players: Hannah Adams, Skylar Wallace, Kendra Falby

Biggest Question: Can the Virginia Tech defense stay on point against a speedy Florida team?

Schedule:

Friday, May 27 2:00 PM ESPN2

Saturday, May 28 12:00 PM ESPN

Sunday, May 29 TBD (if necessary)

Palo Alto Super Regional: Stanford v. Oregon State

Stanford: Won Tuscaloosa Regional (3-1 Murray State, 6-0 Alabama, 0-4 Alabama, 6-0 Alabama)

Oregon State: Won Knoxville Regional (4-3 Ohio State, 0-3 Tennessee, 5-1 Ohio State, 8-3 Tennessee, 3-1 Tennessee)

Stanford Impact Players: Alana Vawter, Taylor Gindlesperger, Sydnee Huff

Oregon State Impact Players: Mariah Mazon, Frankie Hammoude, Sarah Haendiges

Biggest Question: Can Sarah Haendiges and Mariah Mazon outduel Alana Vawter?

Schedule:

Friday, May 27 10:30 PM ESPNU

Saturday, May 28 6:00 PM ESPNU

Sunday, May 29 TBD (if necessary)

Stillwater Super Regional: (7) Oklahoma State v. (10) Clemson

Oklahoma State: Won Stillwater Regional (12-0 Fordham, 7-4 Nebraska, 2-0 North Texas)

Clemson: Won Clemson Regional (9-0 UNC Wilmington, 1-0 Auburn, 8-0 Louisiana)

Oklahoma State Impact Players: Kelly Maxwell, Miranda Elish, Sydney Pennington

Clemson Impact Players: Valerie Cagle, McKenzie Clark, Alia Logoleo

Biggest Question: Can the Oklahoma State offense get by Clemson’s tough pitching?

Schedule:

Thursday, May 26 9:30 PM ESPN2

Friday, May 27 6:00 PM ESPN2

Saturday, May 28 TBD (if necessary)

Starkville Super Regional: Mississippi State v. Arizona

Mississippi State: Won Tallahassee Regional (0-4 South Florida, 6-3 Howard, 6-0 South Florida, 5-0 Florida State, 4-3 Florida State)

Arizona: Won Columbia Regional (8-3 Illinois, 2-0 Missouri, 1-0 Missouri)

Mississippi State Impact Players: Mia Davidson, Annie Willis, Chloe Malau’ulu

Arizona Impact Players: Hanah Bowen, Allie Skaggs, Sharlize Palacios

Biggest Question: Which team is going to outslug the other?

Schedule:

Friday, May 27 12:00 PM ESPNU

Saturday, May 28 4:00 PM ESPNU

Sunday, May 29 TBD (if necessary)