The Lineup: Mary Nutter Highlights Week Three Slate

We venture to the West Coast where the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic is in full effect, consisting of eight Top-25 teams set to do battle. Elsewhere, Arizona hosts a pair of 2024 Women’s College World Series participants and Alabama hopes to bounce back after a tough weekend.

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1. No. 4 UCLA vs No. 7 Tennessee

Where: Cathedral City, California (Mary Nutter)
When: Friday, Feb. 21, at 6:30 p.m. ET
What’s it on: FloSports

What do we want to see: Tennessee faces its toughest test since a lopsided loss to No. 14 Nebraska on opening weekend. Both teams enter the matchup with momentum, supported by strong pitching staffs and strong offensive weapons. Taylor Pannell has been a standout for Tennessee, hitting five home runs and driving in 22 runs early in the season. Similarly, UCLA’s Jordan Woolery has blasted four home runs and driven in 14 RBIs, leading the team in both categories. The Bruins, after a solid week in Clearwater, have a clearer picture of their pitching staff, with sophomore Kaitlyn Terry leading the team with a 1.06 ERA and 34 strikeouts through the first 10 games.

2. No. 8 Texas A&M @ No. 5 Florida State

Where: Tallahassee, Florida
When: Saturday, Feb. 22, at 3:00 p.m. ET, Saturday, Feb. 22, at 5:30 p.m. ET
What’s it on: ACCN Extra

What do we want to see: College softball fans were disappointed when the Aggies and Seminoles traveled to Clearwater but didn’t play each other. Fortunately, the two will meet in a Top-10 matchup in Tallahassee. Florida State enters the weekend red-hot. After losing its opening-day game to Oklahoma State, the Seminoles have been nearly unstoppable. While their pitching has been solid, it’s the offense that has propelled them as one of the best teams in the nation. Texas A&M, coming off its first loss of the season, will look to bounce back. Texas A&M left-hander Emiley Kennedy will aim to rebound against one of the most prolific offenses in the country. This early-season matchup has a World Series feel, but both teams will get a sense of where they stand after the first two weekends.

3. No. 1 Texas @ No. 9 Arizona

Where: Tucson, Arizona
When: Saturday, Feb. 22, at 5:00 p.m. ET
What’s it on: ESPN+

What do we want to see: The top team in the country will travel to Tucson to face a confident Arizona squad. Texas, led by its sophomore trio of Teagan Kavan in the circle and Kayden Henry and Katie Stewart at the plate, presents a formidable challenge for the Cats. Finding a weakness in the Longhorns’ lineup will be tough for the Wildcats. Arizona’s Miranda Stoddard is coming off arguably the best performance by any player this past weekend. For the Wildcats to pull off an upset, could rely on complex pitching matchups to stifle Texas’ potent offense. Will the Longhorns remain perfect, or can the Wildcats cement themselves as a major WCWS contender?

4. No. 4 UCLA vs No. 10 Arkansas

Where: Cathedral City, California (Mary Nutter)
When: Saturday, Feb. 22, at 6:00 p.m. ET
What’s it on: FloSports

What do we want to see: UCLA will face five Top-25 teams this weekend, making the delegation of their pitching staff a big storyline. The Bruins’ decision on who starts against Arkansas will be especially intriguing, given they play No. 7 Tennessee less than 24 hours prior. Arkansas’ journey to Mary Nutter will provide a chance to see what this undefeated team is made of. After cruising to a 10-0 start, the Razorbacks will face their first Top-25 test. Robyn Herron has emerged as the ace of the bullpen, but it remains to be seen how she will perform against a UCLA offense that has shown significant improvement this season. Both teams boast a strong mix of youth and experience, and it should be a fun one to watch.

5. No. 14 Nebraska vs No. 15 Duke

Where: Cathedral City, California (Mary Nutter)
When: Friday, Feb. 21, at 4:00 p.m. ET
What’s it on: FloSports

What do we want to see: Nebraska and Duke have had strong starts to their 2025 campaigns. However, outside of their ace pitchers, both teams still need to solidify their No. 2 pitcher spots. The availability of Cassidy Curd and Jordy Bahl could be crucial in this matchup, especially with Mary Nutter’s tough slate ahead. Nebraska’s Ava Kuszak has had a stellar start, leading the Cornhuskers in home runs, batting average, and RBIs. Similarly, Duke’s Aminah Vega leads the Blue Devils in extra-base hits, batting average, and RBIs. What makes this matchup intriguing is that it could come down to which offense finds its groove or which pitching staff can hold its own without its ace.

6. No. 18 San Diego State vs No. 21 Oregon

Where: Cathedral City, California (Mary Nutter)
When: Friday, Feb. 21, at 4:00 p.m. ET
What’s it on: FloSports

What do we want to see: San Diego State notched a pair of Top-25 wins en route to a 5-0 record at the Clearwater Invitational. Oregon, on the other hand, suffered its first loss of the season before responding with five straight wins. This will be the Ducks’ first crack at a Top-25 team, having won all 10 of their games against mid-major schools. San Diego State’s pitch-by-committee approach will be tested against an Oregon offense where every anticipated starter is batting better than .300. While the Aztecs may be considered a mid-major in this matchup, they are not the underdogs. These non-conference games are crucial for San Diego State to strengthen its RPI and improve its chances of competing for a regional host later in the year. 

7. No. 4 UCLA vs No. 14 Nebraska

Where: Cathedral City, California (Mary Nutter)
When: Thursday, Feb. 20, at 10:30 p.m. ET
What’s it on: FloSports

What do we want to see: The nightcap of Mary Nutter’s opening day could feature a pair of premier pitchers in college softball. Jordy Bahl, fresh off a career weekend at the plate, will play a pivotal role if Nebraska hopes to upset No. 4 UCLA. Whether in the circle or at the plate, she’ll undoubtedly be the player to watch for the Cornhuskers. If Bahl doesn’t pitch, Nebraska has had success in the circle elsewhere but hasn’t been tested by an offense as formidable as UCLA’s.

For the Bruins, Kaitlyn Terry has established herself as the ace early on, but freshman Addisen Fisher has also shown promise. Taylor Tinsley, the most seasoned pitcher on the staff, struggled in Clearwater this past weekend but has built a reliable reputation in past years that head coach Kelly Inouye-Perez can depend on. Will Bahl pitch for Nebraska? If not, does the team have a reliable backup? And given UCLA’s tough schedule, who gets the nod in the circle for the Bruins?

8. No. 19 Virginia Tech @ No. 23 Alabama

Where: Tuscaloosa, Alabama
When: Friday, Feb. 21, at 5:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, Feb. 23, at 1:30 p.m. ET
What’s it on: SECN+

What do we want to see: The Tide lost four of its five games in Clearwater and will look to rebound in their home opener. The Hokies hadn’t allowed a single run until their final two games against LSU last weekend when they gave up 14 runs in 12 innings.

Emma Lemley’s has had a sensational start to her senior season, but she’ll be tasked with controlling an Alabama lineup that has had its ups and downs but looks more promising this season. A bright spot for the Tide is the emergence of freshman Audrey Vandagriff, who has quickly moved to the top of the lineup. Alabama is still searching for a leader on the pitching staff, as their performance in Clearwater didn’t really clear up any questions in the circle. Ultimately, neither team has fully capitalized on the opportunities in front of them, but one will this weekend. Who will have its redemption — the Tide or the Hokies?

9. No. 7 Tennessee vs No. 21 Oregon

Where: Cathedral City, California (Mary Nutter)
When: Thursday, Feb. 20, at 3:30 p.m. ET
What’s it on: FloSports

What do we want to see: Tennessee’s loaded slate at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic will reveal how deep its pitching staff truly is. Returning All-American Karlyn Pickens is joined by three newcomers this season; transfer Sage Mardjetko and freshmen Erin Nuwer and Peyton Tanner. All four will likely get opportunities to show how strong the Lady Vols’ bullpen can be. Tennessee will be Oregon’s first top-25 test. The outcome could determine how serious of contenders the Ducks are this season.

10. Stanford @ No. 9 Arizona 

Where: Tucson, Arizona
When: Thursday, Feb. 20, at 7:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, Feb. 23, at 1:30 p.m. ET
What’s it on: ESPN+

What do we want to see: A Pac-12 rivalry is renewed between Stanford and Arizona. Both teams looking incredibly strong offensively to start the 2025 season. Stanford has run-ruled its last seven opponents and won all nine games. However, the Cardinal have yet to face a Power Four team. Arizona, on the other hand, has used eight different pitchers this season, while Stanford has relied on just three. Because of the pitching disparity, the immediate edge goes to the Wildcats, but could a pair of sneaky good offenses dictate these games? Will Stanford’s light schedule catch up with them, or could they emerge as a dark horse this season?

Off the Bench:

Boston U @ No. 22 South Carolina

Where: Columbia, South Carolina
When: Friday, Feb. 21, at 5:00 p.m. ET, Saturday, Feb. 22, at 1:00 p.m. ET
What’s it on: SECN+

What do we want to see: The Terriers are one of the top mid-majors in college softball, and Boston head coach Ashley Waters has maintained a winning culture in her 10 seasons. The Gamecocks remain unbeaten under Ashley Chastain’s tenure, but as they prepare to face a tough Boston team, can they stay undefeated after the weekend?

Indiana @ No. 13 Texas Tech

Where: Lubbock, Texas
When: Saturday, Feb. 22, at 3:30 p.m. ET, Saturday, Feb. 22, at 12:30 p.m. ET
What’s it on: ESPN+ 

What do we want to see: After falling to FIU on opening day, the Hoosiers have won eight straight. Texas Tech has struggled to find consistency at the plate—can the Red Raiders get their offense going against an under-the-radar Indiana team?