Several conferences have recently completed their fall schedule. Think of it as spring training for the teams. Since the games don’t count in the standings they aren’t quite the same as the tournaments that open up the basketball season, but they do go a long way in assessing a team.

In the Pac 10 the big winner was the University of Washington. They went undefeated in the Husky Softball Fall Classic. Danielle Lawrie, returning from Beijing where she represented Canada threw a no hitter against Western Washington. She and Ashley Charters are returning All American selections that, with another season under their belts, could help to lift UW above last year’s #32 RPI Ranking. Charters is a senior with the potential to go to the NPF. She is a versatile infielder Last season she hit 391 with 36 stolen bases and 4 triples. In other words, this young woman has a high gear and can turn an infield hit into a run with her speed.

Pitching is always important in NCAA softball and Lawrie can bring the speed. Last season, as a sophomore, she racked up 457 Ks, had an ERA of 1.49 and recorded 62 complete games. Those are mind boggling stats and she has two seasons left to improve.

UW’s Pac 10 neighbor and defending National Champion Arizona State kicked off their fall schedule in fine form. They recorded a 14-1 victory over Mount San Antonio College and a 15-1 win over Yavapai College. While these are not ranked opponents, it is still impressive to see them pile up 29 runs in their first two games. Unfortunately for their opponents the Mercy rule is not used in the fall games. Along with an already strong and established roster ASU premiered Hillary Bach who threw a 4 hit shutout and struck out 8 against Yavapai. 

ASU had finished the 2008 campaign ranked fourth before ascending to the championship. With a tough conference tournament and the surprises that always spring up in the elimination rounds it is not easy to say they can repeat, but they will definitely be a presence in the NCAA Tournament.

In the Big 12 12th ranked Oklahoma had an 8-0 victory over North Central Texas College. The Sooners are an offensive minded team and should pile up the runs as they look to crack the top 10 in 2009. Home field advantage is always important to the higher ranked teams and Oklahoma was 22-1 in Norman in ’08. Although their pitching has been solid this fall, they can give up runs. Texas A&M is the only Big 12 team to finish above the Sooners, so they could take control of the conference if the pitching shines in the regular season.

Coming off of their best season in the program’s history the 50-12, 18th ranked North Carolina Tar Heels concluded their fall season with narrow wins over Charlotte and UNC Greensboro. Pitching and heads up play were the keys to success in their 1-0 and 2-1 victories. Constance Orr pitched the shut out against UNC Greensboro and infielder Leah Francona scored the winning run when she raced from third to home on a shot hit to second base to score the winning run against Charlotte. If her last name seems familiar to you it is because she is the daughter of Red Sox Manager Terry Francona. Seven members of the Tar Heels 18 player squad are new to the team, so there will be some growing pains.

The University of Tennessee may hate to see the fall turn to winter. They completed their fall tournament with a 9-0 record and a combined runs scored of 39-1. Included in their conquests were wins over Venezuela National Team pitcher Johana Gomez and her team mates from Lee University and a roster of former UT players that included Olympian and NPF player Monica Abbott and WNT star India Chiles. The Alumni All Stars lost 10-7.

UT was ranked 8th last season coming out of the SEC that housed numbers 1 and 2 Florida and Alabama. They will need all of the firepower and pitching they have exhibited in the autumn to be able to move up in the conference and in the rankings. However, they have more than enough tools to make some noise during the NCAAs.

Outside of two Big 10 teams, Michigan and Northwestern, the top 10 consisted of the conferences mentioned. The Wolverines became sentimental favorites in the NCAAs because of gutsy and inspired play early on. After their early round success they were sent packing back to the colder temperatures of Ann Arbor.

The Pac 10, Big 12 and SEC should house the teams to beat once again. They are a haven for recruiting since the weather is more hospitable, they have a proven track record and a loyal following. While it is early, I think that UW has the weapons to challenge in the PAC 10. An upset in the Conference Tournament could give them a high seeding in the NCAAs that could work to their factor.

UT is a powerhouse, but Florida ended their regular season with a record of 70-5. Upending the Gators is next to impossible, so the Vols must hope to make headway in the NCAAs. In elimination rounds they have both offensive and defensive capabilities and could make the Final 4.

Texas A&M recorded 10 more wins than Oklahoma to sew up their number 5 ranking. The Sooners must score as well as hold the opposition. Throughout their fall schedule their offense increased, so perhaps they are starting to gel at the plate. The Big 12 is up for grabs and solid conference play could allow the Sooners to enter the NCAAs with a favorable seeding.

Along with the teams mentioned UCLA and Arizona are perennial favorites and always capable of winning both the Pac 10 and the National Championship. Alabama had 58 season wins and still was looking way up at Florida, but the Crimson Tide is a force to be reckoned with and will contend in both the SEC and the Tournament. LSU finished on the heels of the Vols and would love to move up at their expense. The Bengals have the bats to make that happen, but the Vols pitchers should silence them when they meet.

It is unlikely that a Cinderella story will occur outside of these three conferences, so prepare for one of them to bring home the hardware in June. The season opens in February, so depending where you are, you may want to grab a jacket and get a seat at the field. If you go to Husky Field say hello to the guy in the Storm jacket. That will be me keeping an eye on Pac 10 softball.