The battle for the Sunshine State crown takes on a new format for 2021, there’s a Big 12 vs. SEC matchup down on the Bayou, and Arizona makes a Southern swing. Week 4 has a lot of promise and some great softball could be in store.
HEADLINERS
Florida vs. Florida State – Friday & Saturday – Gainesville and Tallahassee
>>> The Gators and Seminoles will face off in a weekend home-and-home series that will begin in Gainesville and end in Tallahassee on back-to-back days. In a normal year, the series is a pair of midweeks at various points in the season, but in 2021, get the games in when you know you can. Both teams have struggled in some ways – Florida’s offense has turned out to be the anemic part of their program at times, and FSU is a weaker team than expected – but both remain among the nation’s best. The rivalry is one of the college sports’ best, and the weekend is sure to entertain.
Texas vs. LSU – Friday & Saturday – Baton Rouge
>>> Mike White’s Longhorns head to the Bayou for a 3-game set against the Tigers, and it’s sure to be a thrilling series. After the cancellation of their star-studded opening weekend tournament, this will be Texas’ biggest test yet. Will Shea O’Leary, Molly Jacobsen, and Co. be able to contain LSU’s offensive weapons? For the Tigers’ part, they are the highest-ranked 5-loss team in the country. While all five losses have come to equally high-ranked foes, the Tigers haven’t looked as sturdy as expected in the season’s early-goings. Shelby Wickersham has been shaky, and the team’s pitching and offense can’t seem to “click” at the same time. Both teams could be on pretty even footing – coming into the weekend, at least.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH
Missouri vs. Oklahoma – Saturday & Sunday – Norman
>>> Missouri’s non-conference schedule has pitted them against some hearty opponents, and there’s none heartier than the high-octane Sooners club who are now enjoying the #1 national ranking. The Sooners offense seems unstoppable, and Missouri’s young-but-deep pitching staff may have their hands full. The Tigers have some ‘big boppers’ of their own, so both games should be fairly competitive.
Iowa State vs. North Texas – Friday – Arlington, Texas
>>> Iowa State are the darlings of 2021, and North Texas are working to sustain their status as mid-major perennial contenders. North Texas’ pitching staff is solid, and Iowa State’s offense – led by reigning JWOS Player of the Week Sami Williams – is clicking at a much higher clip than in the past. That matchup should make this single game face-off very interesting.
Texas A&M vs. Tennessee – Saturday – College Station
>>> Another non-conference matchup between SEC foes. Once a rarity, this is at least the fourth such face-off to go through on the schedule. SEC teams are taking advantage of the league’s staggered scheduling approach to add games – and, for one team, wins – against other teams they know will be high in the eventual RPI rankings. Tennessee seems to be back on the right track in the early-goings, while A&M has struggled a bit, but both teams have a lot to gain by pulling off a win over an SEC opponent.
INDIVIDUAL MATCHUPS TO WATCH
Nevada’s pitching staff vs. Stanford’s offense
>>> Nevada has already pulled off one PAC-12 upset this year, and they did it with ace Kendall Fritz appearing only in relief. Can the Wolfpack make it two in one year?
Payton Gottshall vs. Aly Harrell
>>> Gottshall doesn’t give up a lot of walks, and Harrell has an incredible eye at the plate. The two facing off would make for must-see softball.
Ball State’s heavy hitters vs. Western Kentucky’s dominant pitching
>>> Ball State is still fresh and green in 2021, but their offensive skills are well-known. Western Kentucky’s pitching staff is underrated, and the Hilltopper hurlers may have their hands full.
UPSET ALERT
UCLA – vs. Long Beach State
>>> The Bruins aren’t likely to lose two weekends in a row, but the team has struggled at times even before recording their loss to Oregon. LBSU has the talent to be able to hold off the Bruin attack, but if they actually will is another story.
Tennessee & Texas A&M – vs. Campbell
>>> Sharonda McDonald’s Campbell club has some talent, and should be competitive in the Big South. Playing in a tournament against two SEC foes, the Fighting Camels have the chance to pull off a major upset on multiple occasions through the weekend.
Georgia – vs. UAB
>>> UAB is slowly becoming a solid and formidable opponent against even the best teams, and Georgia has had some struggles in the early portion of the season. The teams play a doubleheader on Saturday; both could be close games and the Blazers could sneak one out.
