Division I softball consists of 32 conferences, yet the Pac-12 has taken home 23 of the 33 national championship trophies.
“There is no conference that can stand toe-to-toe with the Pac-12,” said coach Kelly Inouye-Perez. “History speaks for itself, there is no conference that competes with us.”
The Pac-12, formerly known as the Pac-10, is the stomping ground to over 200 All-Americans and 65 Olympians. Softball legends personify the conference’s dominance of the sport. UCLA especially holds a significant place in history of the Pac-12’s great players.
In the circle, former Bruin Lisa Fernandez, currently UCLA’s assistant coach, posted a 93-7 record with a career 0.22 earned run average. On the offensive end, former Bruin Stacey Nuveman swung for a career 90 home runs with a career .466 batting average – both Pac-12 records.
[Related: Assistant coaches Walker and Fernandez key to UCLA softball’s success]
UCLA is not alone. Former Arizona Wildcat Jennie Finch forged a historic career with an 119-16 record and 1,028 strikeouts.
With softball stars come the accolades. Since 1976, the Honda Award is awarded to the best softball player each year – the Pac-12 showcases 16 Honda Award winners. Fernandez alone won an unprecedented four straight Honda Awards from 1989-1993.
“It’s awesome to be a part of the Pac-12 with all its history,” said junior second baseman Kylee Perez.
The Pac-12 is carrying on its tradition of softball prestige this season.
“What I like right now in the immediate is that the Pac-12 is making noise,” Inouye-Perez said.
Five Pac-12 schools reign in the rankings’ top 12. Four teams rank in the top seven for RPI, which ranks teams based on its wins, losses and strength of schedule.
This season, the conference of champions will vie to end the dry spell since Arizona State’s 2011 championship.
Tough conferences like the Big 12 and Southeastern Conference have controlled recent postseasons. Oklahoma and Florida are a testimony to other conferences’ challenge to the Pac-12’s throne. Each school has carried home two championships since the Pac-12’s last title.
In the rankings, the SEC, Big 12 and Big Ten round out the rest of the top 12. SEC powerhouses Florida and Florida State hold the top two spots, Oklahoma represents the Big 12 and Minnesota appears for the Big Ten.
These opportunities play an integral role in the conference’s recruiting pitches. Coaches like Inouye-Perez utilize the Pac-12’s high-end competition and academic prestige to reach the best athletes, especially homegrown talent.
“Our goal is to keep talent close to home,” Inouye-Perez said. “We want to keep those players in the Pac-12.”
This season, UCLA’s roster is comprised of 23 players – 21 come from California.
“We believe the best softball is on the West Coast,” Inouye-Perez said.