The only remaining undefeated Big 12 softball team in conference action is one of three that didn’t play in Week 2 of softball conference action.
Utah swept its opening series last weekend but wasn’t in conference action. That left Arizona and Texas Tech to play the biggest series of the weekend, as the Wildcats went to Lubbock, Texas, to face the Red Raiders in an early series for pole position in the conference race.
It was the most compelling series of the weekend. There were no sweeps in the other three series, but one Big 12 team is putting together an early case be a dark horse to influence the conference race.
Meanwhile, BYU and Iowa State were both playing non-conference series and will return to league action next weekend. BYU will face Oklahoma State while Iowa State will face Houston. Utah did not play this weekend. The Utes return next weekend to face Kansas.
Here’s a wrap of Week 2 of Big 12 softball play.
Series Recaps
No. 12 Arizona (21-7, 4-2) at No. 2 Texas Tech (27-2, 5-1)
Game 1: Arizona 9, Texas Tech 0 (5 innings)
Game 2: Texas Tech 14, Arizona 6 (6 innings)
Game 3: Texas Tech 8, Arizona 0 (5 innings)
Well, this was a series. Arizona run-ruled Texas Tech with pitcher NiJaree Canady in the circle. Grace Jenkins went 2-for-3 with seven RBI to lead Arizona. Tayler Biehl went 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles and one RBI. It was Arizona’s ninth straight run-rule game.
Then, Tech won the next two games, a doubleheader, both by run rule. And the Red Raiders’ social media team went to work.
Kaitlyn Terry took to the circle in Game 1 for Tech, but Samantha Lincoln took the win in relief. Canady returned to throw a two-hit shutout in the nightcap. Terry also hit three home runs in the two games. Mihyia Davis recorded her 300th career hit, becoming the only active player in the country to reach that milestone.
Arizona’s Sydney Stewart homered twice and drove in three runs to lead the Arizona offense in the first game of the doubleheader.
Chances are these two teams are going to meet again in the Big 12 Tournament — and perhaps beyond.
Baylor (20-7, 5-1) at No. 15 UCF (23-7, 3-3)
Game 1: UCF 4, Baylor 3
Game 2: Baylor 12, UCF 3
Game 3: Baylor 8, UCF 2
Baylor wins a series for the second straight week and its third straight series over UCF since the Knights joined the league. The Bears also won a series over a ranked opponent for the first time since February of 2024 and are off to their best start in conference play since 2017. Baylor drew 10 walks and Cambree Creager claimed a complete game win in the clincher.
In Saturday’s win Sadie Rose claimed the win, Leah Cran and Gianna Gusman homered and coach Glenn Moore won his 1,000th career win.
In the opener, UCF’s Izzy Mertes drove in the go-ahead run with a bases-loaded hit that triggered a three-run inning. Isabella Vega claimed the win, her fourth seven-inning complete game of 2026.
Kansas (20-8, 2-1) at Houston (17-12, 1-5)
Game 1: Houston 10, Kansas 9 (8 innings)
Game 2: Kansas 18, Houston 1
Game 3: Kansas 11, Houston 8
Kansas won by outscoring Houston, 29-9, in the final two games of the series. The offense put the final game away, as the Jayhawks hit four home runs, including a grand slam from Aynslee Linduff, to secure the win for pitcher Lila Partridge. Kansas’ 18 run in Game 2 included seven home runs — a new program record for a single game — including another by Linduff. Four of those home runs were in one inning. Blakely Barber claimed the victory.
Houston outlasted Kansas in the opener for its first conference win of the season. Houston won the game in an eighth inning walk-off as Makenna Mitchell drew a walk with the bases loaded. That capped a huge night for Mitchell, who hit her 10th home run and set a career-high with six RBI. She was also involved in Houston’s four-run rally in the ninth to the game.
No. 21 Oklahoma State (18-9, 2-4) at No. 25 Arizona State (22-7, 2-4)
Game 1: Arizona State 3, Oklahoma State 2 (8 innings)
Game 2: Arizona State 5, Oklahoma State 4
Game 3: Oklahoma State 4, Arizona State 0
Oklahoma State escaped a sweep in Tempe with a 4-0 win in the finale. Ruby Meylan claimed the win, giving up two hits in the shutout. Rosie Davis had a double and two RBI.
The Sun Devils took the first two games. Kaylee Pond hit a walk-off solo home run in the eighth to lift Arizona State in Game 1. Pitcher Kenzie Brown matched her season-high single-game strikeout total with 14.
Ryan Brown’s solo home run in the sixth inning of Game 2 gave Arizona State the go-ahead run. Meika Lauppe tossed her second seven-inning complete game on the season.
