Three weeks into the Big 12 softball season and some separation is beginning to emerge. Some of it was expected, while some of it is a bit of a surprise.
Texas Tech remains in the lead in the conference standings having lost just one league game in nine tries. But the Red Raiders are in a virtual tie with Baylor, which has started the season 5-1 one in league action and was off this weekend.
Meanwhile, Arizona and Arizona State renewed its Territorial Cup rivalry, Utah returned to action after a weekend off and Iowa State finally got some home cooking.
Here’s a wrap of Week 3 of Big 12 softball play.
Series Recaps
No. 20 Arizona State (23-9, 3-6) at No. 13/11 Arizona (23-8, 6-3)
Game 1: Arizona State 16, Arizona 5 (5 innings)
Game 2: Arizona 9, Arizona State 8
Game 3: Arizona 6, Arizona State 4
Arizona bounced back from being run-ruled in the opener to sweep the final two games. Sunday’s finale saw the Wildcats surrender a 4-0 lead in the sixth as the Sun Devils rallied to tie the game. Arizona scored two runs of its own to regain the lead and claim the win. Jalen Adams claimed the win, as reliever Rylie Holder gave up two runs. Sydney Stewart hit her 11th home run and had three RBI. Arizona State’s Samantha Swan had two hits.
The Wildcats won Saturday’s game in a walk-off, as Regan Shockey’s single gave Arizona the win. Kez Lucas led Arizona at the plate, going 3-for-4 with three RBI. Arizona State’s Brooklyn Ulrich and Ashleigh Mejia each hit home runs.
It was all Arizona State in the opener, as the Sun Devils combined to hit six home runs – the most in a single game since March 2021. Emily Schepp was a triple away from the cycle and hit two home runs. She previously played at Arizona.
No. 3 Texas Tech (30-2, 8-1) at No. 24/25 UCF (24-10, 3-6)
Game 1: Texas Tech 4, UCF 3
Game 2: Texas Tech 9, UCF 0 (6 innings)
Game 3: Texas Tech 7, UCF 2
Texas Tech swept the series, with Samantha Lincoln (6-0) taking the win in the finale while Jackie Lis went 2-for-3 with a three-run homer. By the end of the series, Tech had 20 hits, 20 runs and 18 walks. Tech pitching struck out 20 hitters in 20 innings.
The Red Raiders pulled out the toughest game of the series on Friday night with two runs in the sixth inning and held off the Knights, who posted a run in the bottom half of the inning but couldn’t get the equalizer. Tech’s offense passed its program record for single-season home runs, a mark the Red Raiders set a season ago.
Utah (24-8, 4-2) at Kansas (23-9, 4-2)
Game 1: Kansas 7, Utah 5
Game 2: Utah 2, Kansas 1
Game 3: Kansas 10, Utah 5
Kansas won its second straight series to start the Big 12 slate with its victory over Utah on Sunday in Lawrence. KU’s Kadence Stafford led the way in the finale with five RBIs, setting both a career and season high. The Jayhawks’ overall resurgence continued, as they surpassed last season’s win total and won their second conference series after recording just one in 2025.
Utah won its only game of the series on a Shonty Passi RBI fielder’s choice. Pitcher Shelbee Jones was brilliant, as she threw a three-hitter and lowered her season ERA to a Big 12-best 1.12
BYU (9-20, 1-5) at No. 23/21 Oklahoma State (21-10, 4-5)
Game 1: Oklahoma State 6, BYU 0
Game 2: Oklahoma State 10, BYU 0 (5 innings)
Game 3: BYU 7, Oklahoma State 3
In Game 2, Ruby Meylan threw a perfect game for Oklahoma State. It was the ninth perfect game — and the eighth solo perfect game — in program history. It was OSU’s first perfect game since March 24, 2021. It was also Meylan’s second no-hitter of the season. OSU hit three home runs in the game, including back-to-back homers from Tia Warsop and Rosie Davis to open the game.
BYU’s win on Sunday was its first in Big 12 play this season. Lily Owens homered in the first inning, while she drove in two runs. Danica Acosta and Hailey Shuler each drove in a run. Jada Villegas won her first game of the season in the circle and allowed seven hits, two earned runs and four walks against one strikeout.
Houston (17-17, 1-8) at Iowa State (19-10, 3-3)
Game 1: Iowa State 9, Houston 1 (6 innings)
Game 2: Iowa State 9, Houston 7
Game 3: Iowa State 8, Houston 7
The Cyclones swept the Cougars to get even for the season in Big 12 action. The Cyclones won the game on Sunday as Victoria Prado had a walk-off at-bat which resulted in a Houston error. She had two of Iowa State’s eight hits and Sydney Malott had a team-high three RBI, including a home run. In the Game 1 blowout, Tatum Johnson had a team-high three RBI, driving in two with a home run and the third with a sacrifice fly.
It was Iowa State’s first home games since May. The Cyclones played their first 26 games on the road.
