2021 NCAA Softball Tournament Tempe Regional preview, players to watch, predictions and more
By Ethan Lee
Arizona State was given the No. 15 overall seed in the 2021 NCAA Softball Tournament.
The Arizona State Sun Devils weren’t the best NCAA softball team in the Pac-12 this season, nor were they particularly great on the road, but they were incredibly difficult to defeat at home. And that fact will make the 2021 Tempe Regional a very intriguing challenge for the other three teams who will be joining Arizona State in Tempe.
Arizona State, after finishing the regular season with a 32-14 record, was handed the No. 15 overall seed for the 2021 NCAA Softball Tournament.
A total of 21 of those 32 wins came at home in Tempe, so while the Sun Devils were certainly vulnerable away from home, they’re a formidable foe for Virginia Tech, Brigham Young University, and Southern Illinois.
Virginia Tech looked like a complete team all season. The Hokies, with phenomenal pitching and timely hitting, went out and won at a high level, earning an overall record of 33-13 and an ACC record of 23-11. Now they’re looking to upset a regional host, build upon that record, earn some more respect, and make it to a Super Regional.
Because this regional features BYU and the Cougars have a policy in place that prohibits playing on Sundays for religious reasons, the NCAA has shifted the schedule a bit for the Tempe Regional. But this isn’t new for BYU, the Cougars are certainly used to it. And it clearly didn’t adversely impact them this year as they went out and earned a 36-15 record in 2021.
The Southern Illinois Salukis are the underdogs in this regional and will certainly be working to take down the more talented teams present. But, event still, the Salukis have had a great year and compiled a 37-14 record this season.
Get to know about the four teams in the 2021 Tempe Regional here.