Big Ten Softball Teams Closing in on Conference Season

With conference softball teams quickly closing on the start of the Big Ten campaign,
teams are bolstering their schedules during the non-conference portion of their
seasons. Big Ten teams were slated to make 140 appearances against teams that
advanced to the 2012 NCAA Tournament, while Nebraska will be the first Big Ten team
to play on their home field this weekend.



Through the first five weekends of the 2013 non-conference season:



-          Ten conference squads have won 11 or more games this season. Four teams
carry a .739 winning percentage or better, which ranks among the top 40 in the
nation.



-          Four Big Ten pitchers rank among the nation's top 14 in victories.
Michigan's Sara Driesenga and Minnesota's Sara Moulton are fifth with 13 and
Michigan State's Kelly Smith and Wisconsin's Cassandra Darrah are tied for 14th with
11 victories.



-          Nine Big Ten pitching staffs carry an ERA under 3.00 this season, while
seven conference lineups are averaging 4.5 runs or more per game this season



-          As many as six Big Ten teams have been ranked or receiving votes in
either the National Fastpitch Coaches Association or USA Softball weekly polls.



-          Seven Big Ten programs have earned at least one Big Ten Player, Pitcher
or Freshman of the Week accolade.



-          Big Ten teams have combined for 41 victories over teams that ended the
2012 season among the RPI's top 50, including 16 triumphs over those ending last
season among the top 25 of the RPI.