Colorado Springs, Colo. — The Mountain West opens its 23rd softball season on Thursday, Feb. 10, with three teams in action. All nine squads will return to the diamond on Friday, Feb. 11.
AROUND THE DIAMOND
- UNLV and San Diego State were selected as 2022 preseason favorites by the league’s nine head coaches, receiving 57 points apiece. The Rebels collected five first-place votes, while the Aztecs earned three.
- Fresno State, which was picked to finish third in the MW preseason poll is receiving votes in the USA Today/NFCA and the ESPN/USA Softball polls.
- Three MW teams will face opponents in the Top 20 of the national polls during opening weekend. Nevada will play at No. 3/3 UCLA, while Fresno State will face No. 12/19 Georgia. New Mexico will square off against No. 2/2 Alabama and No. 9/11 Arizona in the opening week.
- Four Mountain West programs will be under the direction of new head coaches. Boise State welcomes Justin Shults, while Stacy May-Johnson will guide Fresno State. Stacey Deniz will lead San Diego State and Linda Garza will be at the helm for Nevada.
- The Mountain West returns two 2021 superlative award winners, including MW Player and Co-Freshman of the Year Keahilele Mattson (Fresno State) and Co-Freshman of the Year Bella Rocco (Boise State). The 2021 MW Softball Coach of the Year Kristie Fox returns to UNLV for her fifth season.
