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Pac-10 dominates softball rankings

The Pacific 10 Conference has a strong hold on the USA Today/National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division I softball poll, as all eight teams are ranked in the top 25.

Seven of the conference's eight teams are ranked in the top 10, with Washington claiming the No. 1 ranking for the second week in a row.

"Washington clearly has proven they have the strength and experience," Oregon State head coach Kirk Walker said. "They clearly have the inside track (on the conference title), I would say."

The Huskies (24-1) have won 15 straight games, including going 6-0 at the NFCA Lead-off Classic last weekend.

UW teammates, freshman catcher Jenny Toppy and senior pitcher Jennifer Spediacci, were named Pac-10 Player and Pitcher of the Week following their performances at the NFCA Lead-off Classic.

Toppy was named tournament MVP, as she hit five homers and had 12 RBI against four ranked opponents.

Spediacci threw three-complete game victories - against No. 8 Fresno State, No. 17 Illinois-Chicago and No. 23 Nebraska - including two shutouts while posting a 0.29 ERA.

"They did a great job last weekend at the Lead-off Classic," Washington head coach Teresa Wilson said. "Spediacci pitched well against some tough teams, and Toppy continued her hitting."

Following the Huskies in the top 10 are No. 2 Arizona, No. 3 UCLA, No. 4 Arizona State, No. 7 California, No. 9 Stanford and No. 10 Oregon State.

No. 25 Oregon rounds out the rankings, as the Ducks (11-8) went 2-1 in the rain-shortened Easton Showcase Tournament last weekend.

"I don't think there is any sport like this that has a conference that is dominating from top to bottom like ours," Stanford coach John Rittman said. "Our conference is by far the toughest top to bottom."

UA (25-1) is the hottest team in the Pac-10 at the moment, holding a 24-game win streak and getting solid pitching performances from sophomore Jennie Finch and junior Becky Lemke.

Junior catcher Lindsey Collins led the Wildcat offense at the Hillenbrand Softball Invitational last weekend, with three home runs and 13 RBI.

"If I look at a team that is fired up and ready to make a run, it is Arizona," Wilson said.

Both Lemke and Finch have been named Pac-10 Pitcher of the Week so far this season.

Pitching has been a strong point for the Pac-10, as four pitchers have thrown no-hitters - UCLA's Courtney Dale against Maryland, Sun Devil Kirsten Voak against Simon Fraser, OSU's Crystal Draper against St. Peter's, and two by Finch against Tennessee Tech and Drake.

Draper's no-hitter against St. Peter's occurred at the Hillenbrand Softball Invitational in Tucson and helped continue the Beavers' (17-4) 12-game win streak.

The Wildcats, along with California and Washington, have only a single loss on the year.

Arizona lost to Washington, 1-0 in its second game of the season at the Arizona Softball Classic, while the Huskies stumbled against Louisiana State, 4-2, at the Texas Invitational on Feb. 18.

The Golden Bears' lone loss was at the hands of the Beavers, who beat them 6-5 two weeks ago at the Troy Cox Classic.

"Cal is just tearing everyone," Rittman said of the Golden Bears, who have won nine of their last 10 games.

California (22-1) is led by freshman first baseman Veronica Nelson, who has nine home runs this season, one short of the school record.

And from across the bay, Stanford has relied on four freshmen - Dana Sorensen, Tori Nyberg, Jaime Forman-Lau and Maureen LeCocq - to increase the team's record to 20-3.

"We are really young, we have four freshmen pitchers, and they have done a pretty good job for the most part," Rittman said.

Also relying heavily on its pitching is Arizona State (19-3), which has been guided by sophomore pitcher Voak.

Voak pitched all six of the Sun Devils' games in the NFCA Lead-off Classic and was named to the All-Tournament team along with her teammate, sophomore outfielder Nichole Thompson.

With Pac-10 play beginning at the end of the month, UCLA (21-3) seems to be getting back on track.

The defending national champions began the season ranked No. 1, but three early losses to Hofstra, Sacramento State and Michigan dropped the Bruins to third in the USA Today/NFCA poll.

"UCLA has picked it up," Rittman said.

With all eight conference teams ranked, seven of which are in the top 10, getting through the Pac-10 will be a daunting challenge, as every team has a good shot at capturing the conference crown.

"When you get through the Pac-10 season, you know a lot about your team," UA head coach Mike Candrea said. "It really prepares you for post-season play."