The more extensive weekend of the annual Mary Nutter Classic (32 teams rather than 16) is now underway in Cathedral City, California (near Palm Springs). Among the participating squads are the No. 2-6 (Oregon, Washington, UCLA, Oklahoma, and Auburn, in that order) and 8-9 (LSU, Texas A&M) teams in the latest ESPN.com/USA Softball poll. Florida, who is not in the Mary Nutter, is No. 1 in that poll. The other major national poll, by USA Today/NFCA, sees things a little differently, with Washington at No. 1.
Oklahoma dropped substantially from its previous No. 1 status, due to an unimaginable loss to Boston University last week (BU's current record is 4-4, with losses to Bethune-Cookman, Ohio State, Ball State, and New Mexico State).
Oregon also has one loss, a nine-inning affair vs. No. 15 Mississippi.
No. 1/2 Florida also has one loss, but it came in a three-game series the Gators won at Louisiana-Lafayette. UF is hosting the Aquafina Invitational this weekend, with a field that includes Maryland, Illinois State, Iowa State, and Georgia Southern.
Oklahoma dropped substantially from its previous No. 1 status, due to an unimaginable loss to Boston University last week (BU's current record is 4-4, with losses to Bethune-Cookman, Ohio State, Ball State, and New Mexico State).
Oregon also has one loss, a nine-inning affair vs. No. 15 Mississippi.
No. 1/2 Florida also has one loss, but it came in a three-game series the Gators won at Louisiana-Lafayette. UF is hosting the Aquafina Invitational this weekend, with a field that includes Maryland, Illinois State, Iowa State, and Georgia Southern.