Twelfth-seeded Arizona (41-18) will be trying to secure its 23rd trip to the Women's College World Series as it takes on fifth-seeded LSU (48-12) in the NCAA Super Regional round on Saturday and Sunday in Baton Rouge, La.
Saturday's opener will be played at noon (Arizona time) and can be seen on ESPNEWS. Game 2 will be Sunday at 2 p.m. (ESPN), with a third game to follow afterward if necessary (ESPN2).
LSU spent much of the season ranked No. 1 in the nation before losing six of its final nine regular-season games. The Tigers advanced to the Super Regional in dramatic fashion, coming out of the loser's bracket to beat Arizona State twice on the same day.
The Tigers have a 1.77 team ERA -- led by Carley Hoover (16-5, 1.67 ERA) and Allie Walljasper (14-5, 1.70). Bianka Bell is their leading hitter with a .436 average, 17 home runs and 71 RBI.
Arizona counters with one of the nation's top offense. The Wildcats rank third in the nation in home runs (104) and fourth in batting average (.355). Sophomore Katiyana Mauga ranks third in the NCAA with 26 home runs, while senior Chelsea Goodacre has 24 homers and leads the nation with 84 RBI.
Arizona is 10-4 all-time vs. LSU, including 4-2 in NCAA Tournament play. LSU defeated the Wildcats 4-3 early this season in the Mary Nutter Invitational.
