How The 2020 NCAA Super Regionals Could Have Played Out

By Brady Vernon
on May 18, 2020

Though the 2020 college softball season was cut short by COVID-19, we projected what the NCAA Tournament could have looked like based on the results that emerged from the shortened season.

We started with the 2020 Regionals last week, and now we move on to the 2020 Super Regionals.

See below for how we believe the 2020 NCAA Softball Super Regionals could have played out.

Los Angeles Super Regional

(1) UCLA over (16) Arizona State, (2-0)

In this Pac-12 matchup, the Bruins sweep the series in two vastly different games. Megan Faraimo comes out and dominates in game one, allowing just one run. The Sun Devils come back with an offensive output, including three RBI and two runs scored by Kindra Hackbarth. But in the end, UCLA matches and overcomes the quick barrage of runs from Arizona State to move on and attempt to defend its title in Oklahoma City.

Baton Rouge Super Regional

(8) LSU over Georgia, (2-0)

Another conference matchup finds LSU against Georgia in the Baton Rouge Super Regional. The Bulldogs, who took advantage of Oklahoma’s pitching staff in the Norman Regional, can’t do the same in Baton Rouge. The Tigers’ pitching staff that ended the shortened season with the nation’s best team ERA limits an offense that averaged over seven runs to just three runs across two games.

Lafayette Super Regional

(12) Alabama over (5) Louisiana, (2-1)

This battle in Lafayette between Louisiana and Alabama became a Super Regional for the ages. The Ragin’ Cajuns’ pitching duo of Summer Ellyson and Megan Kleist go practically pitch-for-pitch with Alabama’s Montana Fouts and Lexi Kilfoyl. The difference-maker in the series was KB Sides, who ended with three three-hit games, including a game-winning RBI to send the Crimson Tide back to Oklahoma City.

Seattle Super Regional

(4) Washington over (13) Virginia Tech, (2-0)

The Huskies just find a way to get the job done against the Hokies. As good as Keely Rochard was for Virginia Tech, Gabbie Plain was just better. Washington wins two low-scoring games backed by pitching and defense. Taryn Atlee was the offensive star for Washington, tallying five hits and three RBI.

Austin Super Regional

(2) Texas over (15) Oregon, (2-1)

Who doesn’t like a little bit of drama in sports? Mike White and a handful of former Ducks take on the new-look Ducks. Texas takes the first game after a stellar performance from Miranda Elish in the circle. Brooke Yanez and Jordan Dail split the second game to pitch the Ducks to a series finale. However, the Texas offense comes back quickly to lead the Longhorns to Oklahoma City.

Stillwater Super Regional

(7) Oklahoma State over Mississippi State, (2-0)

Mississippi State’s run comes to an end in Stillwater against a well-rounded Oklahoma State team, but it doesn’t go down without a fight. The Bulldogs press the Cowgirls in each game, making them sweat until the end. Clutch hits in each game from Oklahoma State’s Sydney Pennington and Kiley Naomi seal the deal for the Cowgirls.

Gainesville Super Regional

(3) Florida over (14) Michigan, (2-0)

Rylee Trlicek, Charla Echols and Natalie Lugo continue to shine for the Gators in this Super Regional. Trlicek and Lugo each earn a victory in the circle against Michigan’s Meghan Beaubien and Alex Storako. Meanwhile, Echols homers off of each Wolverine pitcher to help the Gators win both games.

Tucson Super Regional

(6) Arizona over (11) Kentucky, (2-1)

The Wildcats—yes, both teams—bring the fireworks in this one. Across three games, the two squads combine for 17 home runs. Jessie Harper hits four herself, including two in Arizona’s game one victory. Kentucky brings home game two, after Mallory Peyton and Alex Martens both hit home runs, but Arizona takes game three to decide the series.