Big West softball fans should make sure they have the correct times on their watches so they won't miss their favorite clubs in action during a stellar week of non-conference play. Included in the schedule is the nationally-recognized Judi Garman Classic hosted by Cal State Fullerton, a destination for some of the most talented clubs in the nation.
The Garman, which is considered the premiere mid-season collegiate tournament in the country, will be held Wednesday to Sunday at the dual diamond Titan Softball Complex. The field is a who’s who in college softball as #12/13 Arizona, #6/11 Arizona State, Bowling Green, #23/20 DePaul, #25/24 Florida State, #24/21 Fresno State, #16/19 Louisiana-Lafayette, #10/10 Michigan, Nebraska, New Mexico, Notre Dame, #9/8 Oklahoma, Pacific, Penn State, Texas and #3/t-2 Washington will decend on CSF’s campus for the extravaganza. Fresno State is the defending Garman champion while the host Titans have not won the event since 2002.
Another Big West team hosts a tournament this weekend as UC Riverside hosts the Amy S. Harrison Classic.
The Highlanders will welcome Longwood and Providence to Amy S. Harrison Field for the two-day tournament starting Friday. UCR is scheduled to take on the Lancers and Friars Friday, then flip flop the squads for the final day of play Saturday.
Leading the charge of the teams not playing in local tournaments is Cal State Northridge the Matadors are scheduled to compete in the San Diego Classic II. CSUN’s time in San Diego will be a tough one as it takes on Texas Tech and Oklahoma State Friday, Miami (Ohio) and Iowa State Saturday and the host Aztecs Sunday afternoon.
Long Beach State and UC Davis are heading to San Jose for the weekend as the clubs will battle solid competition at the National Invitational Softball Tournament (N.I.S.T.). The two clubs have been on opposite paths as the 49ers have won 11 of 13, while the Aggies have dropped six in a row after a five-game win streak.
Friday’s schedule at the N.I.S.T. has LBSU taking on host San Jose State and Vermont, while UCD has Canisius and rival Sacramento State on the docket. Saturday has Long Beach State tangling with UNLV and the Hornets, while UC Davis will be opposite the Catamounts and Colorado State. The final day of play at the N.I.S.T. has the 49ers in action against the Golden Griffins, while the Aggies finish up against the Runnin' Rebels.
Before the weekend tournament play, several clubs will compete in midweek action.
League-leading Cal Poly, winners of eight in a row and 12 of its last 14, will square off against Providence in a doubleheader Tuesday afternoon. It is the lone scheduled competition for the Mustangs this week.
Cal State Northridge, UC Davis, UC Santa Barbara, UC Riverside and Pacific also have games set in place before the weekend. Pacific has two games set against Northern Illinois at home Monday, while the Matadors host Texas Tuesday afternoon in a twinbill.
The Gauchos take the field for their lone two games of the week the following day as they take on San Diego at home, while UC Davis plays two on the road against rival Sacramento State. Finally, UCR plays two games before the Amy S. Harrison Classic at home against Atlantic-10 foe Saint Joseph’s.