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Wrap-Up of 2019 Mary Nutter Clasic

The marquee match-up of this year's Mary Nutter Classic pitted UCLA (No. 2/3 nationally depending on which poll) vs. Oklahoma (No. 2/4 in different polls). The result was a 7-1 Bruin win.

Texas Tech, this year's up-and-coming program after seven years being unranked, acquitted itself well at the Nutter (full disclosure: I'm on the Texas Tech faculty). The Red Raiders raised their record to 13-0 with wins in their first three games, including shutouts of Top 20 clubs Arizona State and Oregon. However, Texas Tech's success against Pac-12 opponents came to an end on the final day, with a 4-1 loss to No. 5/6 Washington.

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Florida Shines at Kajikawa Classic

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