RANKINGS
EVENTS
I COMMITTED
COLLEGE
ABOUT
The When
February 10-13, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
The What
The only Division 1 college softball tournament that takes place outside the United States, the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge is put on by Triple Crown Sports and is in its sixth season of play. The tournament wasn’t played in 2016 or 2021. Memphis is making their inaugural appearance in the PVCC, while no team has appeared in the tournament as often as Washington, who are playing in the tournament for the fourth time.
After announcing last week that they were withdrawing from the tournament due to COVID-19 regulations, Lamar is now back in the tournament field, Extra Inning Softball has confirmed. The Cardinals will play their originally-scheduled slate of games in PV.
The Who
- Arkansas
- Washington
- Long Beach State
- Rutgers
- Memphis
- Lamar
A Blurb
The PVCC returns to the D1 calendar after a one-year hiatus. The Division 1 season officially kicks off in Puerto Vallarta and the tournament also hosts one of the best head-to-head matchups of opening week, a pair of Arkansas vs. Washington square-offs.
A Hidden Gem
Long Beach State pitcher Shannon Haddad — After transferring from San Jose State, Haddad recorded an 8-0 record and a 2.05 ERA in 65 innings last season before missing the final month of the season due to injury. She owns nineteen career wins in 134.2 innings of work.
A Breakout Star
Arkansas outfielder KB Sides — Sides transferred to join the Hogs this summer after spending the first four years of her career at conference rivals Alabama. Traditionally known as a speed and short-game threat, she found her offensive power in the fall; in one fall game, she tied her career home run total.
A Team to Watch
Memphis — Let’s be honest; the Tigers have nothing to lose. Following a 9-win season last year, the Tigers’ 37-win season in 2018 is little more than an afterthought. The Tigers will play both Lamar and Rutgers on opening day in PV, face Long Beach State twice in consecutive days, and play Arkansas while avoiding Washington in the tournament. Returning stateside with a winning record would include at least one marquee win for the Tigers.
A Storyline
In the opening week of the 2021 season, Washington was ranked #2 in the country, but narrowly avoided multiple upsets to Dixie State and Southern Utah. After the regular season, Huskies head coach Heather Tarr expressed a regret on how her pitching staff worked during the year, a concern that was made evident from the very beginning in that same week one. A repeat performance in this season’s opening slate could be disastrous for UW.
Marquee Matchups
Long Beach State vs. Washington – Friday, 2/11, 3 pm CT
Arkansas vs. Washington – Friday, 2/11, 8:30 pm CT
Long Beach State vs. Arkansas – Saturday, 2/12, 6 pm CT
Washington vs. Arkansas – Saturday, 2/12, 8:30 pm CT
Players to Watch
Gabbie Plain, Washington — Plain is still the backbone of the Washington roster. The Huskies are going to rely on her as much as ever in the circle, and her strength and reliability are going to be assets that the program’s entire roster will benefit from.
Hannah Gammill, Arkansas — Despite missing part of last season due to injury, Gammill still earned all-region honors as a true freshman. She cemented her spot as a starter for the Hogs, with a .451 on-base percentage and nine home runs to her credit.
Naomi Hernandez, Long Beach State — The leading returning hitter for the Niners, Hernandez batted .383 last season with a .483 on-base percentage also to her credit. She was a consistent on-base threat for her club.
Ashley Hitchcock, Rutgers — A 5.64 ERA for Hitchcock last season didn’t look like much on paper, but it was enough to lead the Scarlet Knights. She has some potential and will have the opportunity to show what she’s made of early.
Alyssa Dean, Memphis — The only Tiger hitter to bat over .300 last season, Dean posted a career-high 39 hits and led her team with six home runs. She scored 24 runs and recorded 19 RBIs on the year.
Aleka Xayaseng, Lamar — A former junior college transfer, Xayaseng proved herself a quality speed threat in her first season as a Cardinal, leading the team with eleven stolen bases. She played in 50 games during her first year at Lamar.