Arizona is back to NCAA Softball Tournament.
After missing the postseason last year, the Wildcats (34-16-1 overall, 13-11 in PAC-12 play) earned an at-large bid to the big dance on Sunday with a trip to Fayetteville, Arkansas, for regionals. Arizona will open the Fayetteville Regional against Big East champion Villanova (31-22 overall, 19-5 in Big East play) on Friday, May 17th at 3pm MST in Bogle Park.
It is the 36th participation of all time in the NCAA Tournament for the Wildcats, who rank second all-time for most Women’s College World Series titles at eight.
MORE: Watch Arizona vs. Villanova in the 2024 NCAA Softball Tournament on ESPN+
Arizona brings one of the best offenses and defenses in the country to the NCAA Tournament, as the Wildcats are second in the NCAA in fielding percentage (98.2%) and 12th in batting average (.330) and 19th at home runs (65) . Watch out for Arizona’s Regan Shockey, the Wildcats’ star freshman centerfielder who ranks second and fourth among all freshmen in the country in hits (76) and batting average (.413).
As for the other side of the Wildcats vs. Wildcats Villanova are coming off a strong showing in the Big East Tournament last weekend where they won their third conference tournament title in the last four years with wins over St. Creighton.
Caroline Pellicano enters the NCAA tournament as Villanova’s best pitcher and is coming off a major conference tournament where she was named Most Outstanding Player, where she recorded two saves in three elimination games, relieved with a win.
If Arizona beats Villanova on Friday, it will face the winner of No. 12 Arkansas and Southeast Missouri State.
Here’s what you need to know about watching Arizona face Villanova in the first round of the NCAA Softball Tournament on Friday:
What channel is Arizona vs. Arizona softball on? Villanova today? How to watch, stream
ESPN+ will broadcast the 17th-ranked Arizona vs. Villanova in the first round of the 2024 NCAA Softball Tournament. You can also stream it on the ESPN app using your ESPN+ login credentials. Noah Reed (play-by-play) and Raine Wilson (color analyst) will call the game on ESPN+.
What time does Arizona vs Villanova softball start today?
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Date: Friday, May 17th
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Time: 3pm (Brasília time)
Arizona and Villanova will meet on Friday, May 17th at 3pm MST in the first round of the 2024 NCAA Softball Tournament from Bogle Park on the University of Arkansas campus in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
2024 Arizona Softball Schedule
Below is the complete Fayetteville region schedule, including Arizona games. For the Wildcats’ complete 2024 softball schedule, click here.
Friday, May 17th
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Game 1: Arizona x Villanova | 3pm | ESPN+
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Game 2: (12) Arkansas vs. Southeast Missouri State | 5:30 pm | ESPN+
Saturday, May 18th
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Game 3: TBD vs. Midday
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Game 4: TBD vs. 2:30 p.m.
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Game 5: TBD vs. 5pm
Sunday, May 19th
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Game 6: TBD versus TBD
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Game 7: TBD versus TBD
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This article originally appeared in the Arizona Republic: Arizona-Villanova Channel Today: Time, TV schedule for NCAA softball game
