Big 12 Softball: Ranking the Series in Week 1 of Conference Play
Conference play gets underway in Big 12 softball this weekend as the early-season tournament portion of the 2023 schedule comes to a close and the important games start up.
Each week, we will rank the series from least important to most important in the Big 12, as there will be several series that will be pivotal in the conference race and seeding come time for the Big 12 Tournament in Oklahoma City.
There will be three series every weekend, with one team idle in each week of conference play, giving us just three series to choose from.
Let’s take a look at this week’s conference slate and I’ll tell you which series you just can’t miss this weekend.
3.) #1 OKLAHOMA (27-1) AT IOWA STATE (11-14)
DATE: MARCH 24, MARCH 25 (DH) | TIME: 4:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM CT | LOCATION: AMES, IA | TV: ESPN+
This series will pit the Big 12’s top team against the only team in the conference below .500. That alone should tell you how this series will go. Oklahoma’s offense is scorching hot right now, as the Sooners lead the nation in batting average (.399), on-base percentage (.481), slugging percentage (.720), scoring (9.0 runs per game), and are second nationally in home runs per game (1.75). Meanwhile, Iowa State ranks dead last in the Big 12 in batting average (.240), on-base percentage (.339), slugging percentage (.373), and scoring (3.72 runs per game). The Sooners and Cyclones are also on opposite ends of the spectrum in the circle, with OU leading in ERA (1.02) and Iowa State bringing up the rear (3.48). This series should be all OU from beginning to end.
2.) TEXAS TECH (26-8) AT #8 TEXAS (27-5-1)
DATE: MARCH 24-26 | TIME: 4:30 PM CT, 12:00 PM CT, 12:00 PM CT | LOCATION: AUSTIN, TX | TV: LHN
Unlike the series above, this one could end up being extremely competitive and might deserve to be at the top of the list come Sunday. The Texas Tech Red Raiders have been a pleasant surprise to this point in the season, racking up three ranked wins before conference play begins. Texas Tech leads the conference in home runs (57) and slugging percentage (.720). Meanwhile, the Texas offense ranks first in the conference in hits (329), and is second in ERA (1.84) thanks to emerging stars Citlaly Gutierrez and Mac Morgan in the circle. This will undoubtedly be the biggest test that Texas Tech has faced to this point in the season, but if they can be competitive, or maybe even win this series, it would likely see them ranked when next week’s polls come out.
1.) #22 BAYLOR (23-5) AT #2 OKLAHOMA STATE (26-2)
DATE: MARCH 24-26 | TIME: 6:00 PM CT, 2:00 PM CT, 12:00 PM CT | LOCATION: STILLWATER, OK | TV: ESPN+
The best series of the opening weekend of Big 12 play is happening in Stillwater as the No. 22-ranked Baylor Bears are set to clash with the second-ranked Oklahoma State Cowgirls. Baylor is led by Dari Orme in the circle, who ranks second in the Big 12 in ERA (0.79, 11th nationally) and strikeouts (85). Meanwhile, Kelly Maxwell leads the Big 12 in strikeouts (114) and is part of a pitching staff that ranks fourth in ERA (2.04). Oklahoma State’s offense might be the difference in this series though, as the Cowgirls rank seventh nationally in batting average (.353) and scoring (7.18 runs per game), 13th in slugging (.561), and sixth in OBP (.450). Baylor’s offense has been hit or miss, and the absence of Aliyah Binford has been felt recently. Baylor is good enough to surprise the Cowgirls though and is more than capable of winning this series if given a chance.
