Arizona softball went 2-2 last week, including a series loss to UCF in the Wildcats’ Big 12 opener. It dropped the team between two and four spots in all four major national polls, although it did not affect its RPI.
UA is still in the top 10 in both of the smaller polls. D1 Softball has the team at No. 9 this week. That’s a drop of four spots. Softball America dropped the team three spots to No. 7, its highest ranking in the four polls.
The USA Today/NFCA poll and the ESPN.com/USA Softball poll both place Arizona just outside the top 10 at No. 11. That’s a drop of two spots by the NFCA voters and four by the USA Softball group.
The Wildcats held strong at No. 4 in the RPI. As one of the major criteria for postseason inclusion and hosting, the RPI is more relevant in the long run.
Michella Chester also has weekly power rankings on the NCAA website. Arizona was No. 4 last week after defeating UCLA on the way to a 6-0 record in Southern California. The Wildcats dropped to No. 8 this week.
Arizona has the opportunity to get its conference record above .500 this weekend when Utah (8-19, 0-0 Big 12) comes to Hillenbrand Stadium. The Utes are off to a slow start this season but have come on strong late in the season both of the last two years.
Lead photo by Catherine Regan / Arizona Athletics