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The 2019 edition of the Judi Garman Classic got off to an auspicious start on Wednesday night with a matchup between #2 UCLA and #3 Florida, a game that the Bruins handily won with a final score of 7-1.
The tournament’s full schedule will kick off on Thursday morning and will include a number of teams, including four programs ranked in the Top 10 in the Week 3 Extra Inning Softball/JWOS Power Rankings.
In addition to the quartet of top-ranked teams, the tournament field also includes Auburn; Cal State Northridge; Fresno State; Loyola Marymount; Michigan; New Mexico; Oregon; UConn; UTSA; and Cal State Fullerton.
Here’s a look at teams and players to watch who could make some noise at the event hosted by Cal State Fullerton…
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Teams to Watch
1. Loyola Marymount Lions
The Lions own a win over Northwestern from the season’s opening week and played UCLA in a tight 3-1 game at Easton Stadium, but found themselves on the losing end of a three-game series sweep against Sacramento State. The Lions rebounded with a win against San Diego State in their home opener but will look to pad their resume in a week’s slate that includes Auburn, Fresno State, and a rematch against UCLA.
2. Auburn Tigers
After falling out of our Top 25 rankings after a so-so opening week’s performance, the Tigers have lost just once since then and ride an eight-game winning streak into Fullerton. The team’s best wins during that streak include a pair of victories over North Dakota State, so a tough slate at the Garman—which includes a trio of matchups against Pac-12 teams—will give the Tigers a chance to show whether or not they belong in the conversation of the nation’s best.
3. Oregon Ducks
Following the Ducks’ hot start to the season, one that turned a lot of heads in the opening weeks, Oregon has cooled down despite a 4-2 showing at the Mary Nutter Classic that included an upset loss to Bethune-Cookman. The Ducks’ schedule at the Garman includes a trio of SEC teams, including a pair of Top 10 teams in Florida and Tennessee. Just one upset loss of their own could stir some momentum leading into the home opener in Eugene next week.