2021 NCAA Softball Tournament Seattle Regional preview, players to watch, predictions and more

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 25: The University of Washington Huskies dugout celebrates a single RBI by Sarah Willis #66 to score Megan Vandegrift #2 of the UW Huskies during their game against the UCLA Bruins at Easton Stadium on April 25, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 25: The University of Washington Huskies dugout celebrates a single RBI by Sarah Willis #66 to score Megan Vandegrift #2 of the UW Huskies during their game against the UCLA Bruins at Easton Stadium on April 25, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. /
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 25: The University of Washington Huskies huddle before the start of their match against the UCLA Bruins at Easton Stadium on April 25, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Andy Bao/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 25: The University of Washington Huskies huddle before the start of their match against the UCLA Bruins at Easton Stadium on April 25, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Andy Bao/Getty Images) /

Washington is looking for respect as the Huskies aim to prove themselves in the 2021 NCAA Softball Tournament.

The Huskies probably should be a higher seed in this year’s NCAA Tournament, but this is the hand they’ve been dealt. All Washington can do is make the most of it. With the talent this team has, there’s a good chance the Huskies could find themselves in Oklahoma City competing for the Women’s College World Series in a few weeks.

Season overview

The Washington Huskies ran through their season, going 41-11 and thriving against just about everyone they faced. When up against fellow Pac-12 teams, the Huskies went 18-5. This team has proven it can handle just about any challenge thrown its way.

Best wins

Washington very clearly has a lot of wins and they’ve beaten multiple good teams this season. One great example of how good the Huskies are was when they took three of four games against the Oregon Ducks.

  • April 16 vs. Oregon – 8-0 in five innings
  • April 17 vs. Oregon – 4-2
  • April 18 vs. Oregon – 6-1

Worst losses

If the Huskies are going to win the Women’s College World Series, they’ll likely be up against several teams that are as good as UCLA. Washington struggled with the Bruins and fell short when the teams met earlier this season. Though Washington did beat UCLA once, they lost four times in the series.

  • April 23 at UCLA – 1-6
  • April 24 – at UCLA – 1-6
  • April 25 – at UCLA – 2-4

Players to watch

  • Baylee Klingler – Klingler leads the way for the Huskies at the plate with a .414 batting average and 16 home runs this season.
  • Gabbie Plain – Plain has been a phenomenal pitcher for Washington this year and boasts a 1.19 ERA and an astonishing 302 strikeouts.
  • Sis Bates – Bates is productive at the plate and once she’s able to get on base, she’ll quickly make her speed known. Bates has a .382 batting average and has stolen 19 bases on 20 attempts.

Final thoughts

Washington is not a team I’d want to mess with. The Huskies have all the talent in the world and a ton of motivation after not getting a higher seed. The other three teams in this regional are facing a true national title contender.