Iowa State senior pitcher Emma Hylen can describe Big 12 softball in three words.

“Competitive and fierce.”

Even though most conferences have more teams than the Big 12 does, that does not mean that the Big 12 is weak. In fact, the Big 12 is seen as one of the toughest conferences in the country.

“It’s tough, and right now there are four teams that are year in and year out making postseason appearances,” said Iowa State head softball coach Jamie Pinkerton.

With the softball season starting this weekend, let’s take a look at each softball team in the Big 12.

Baylor Lady Bears:

Head coach: Glenn Moore (17th season)

Last season: 38-18 (12-6 Big 12), finished tied for 2nd in the Big 12 and reached the NCAA tournament

Big 12 Media poll placement: 3rd

National rank (USA Today): No. 18

Summary:

Following a successful season that ended with the Bears making it to the NCAA Regional Semifinals, the Lady Bears have the potential to go even further this season as the Bears return all of their pitchers and five of eight starters in the field. Last season the Lady Bears finished 4th in the Big 12 and in earned runs average and 1st in the Big 12 in batting average. The Lady Bears have arguably the best pitcher in the Big 12 in senior Gia Rodoni, who finished second in the Big 12 in wins with 23 and first in the Big 12 in strikeouts with 268 last season.

Iowa State Cyclones

Head coach: Jamie Pinkerton (2nd season)

Last season: 23-33 (4-14 Big 12), finished 6th in the Big 12

Big 12 Media poll placement: 6th

National rank (USA Today): Not Ranked

Summary:

In Jamie Pinkerton’s first season at the helm, the Cyclones finished at the bottom of the Big 12. However, the team has the potential to move up in the standings this season, as the Cyclones return seven of the nine starters from their batting lineup from last season — including junior infielder Sami Williams, who finished in the top five in the Big 12 in hits and total bases. Also returning for the Cyclones are pitchers Emma Hylen and Savannah Sanders.

The Cyclones finished last season in team batting average, team fielding and team pitching a season ago. Despite finishing last in those stats a season ago, there is optimism in Ames.

“It’s going to be a tough go around, and you’re going to have to compete every pitch, every inning, every play,” Sanders said. “We might not always be picked to come out on top but if we do those three things I think we can win some games that maybe we shouldn’t be able to.”

Kansas Jayhawks

Head coach: Jennifer McFalls (1st season)

Last season: 27-25 (2-16 Big 12), finished last in the Big 12

Big 12 Media poll placement: 7th

National rank (USA Today): Not Ranked

Summary:

First-year head coach Jennifer McFalls looks to use her championship pedigree to Lawrence and build up the Jayhawks softball program after two seasons in last place in the Big 12. McFalls was previously an assistant coach for the Texas Longhorns softball team, and McFalls won a gold medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics Games in Softball.

Despite having 16 losses in Big 12 play, the Jayhawks remained competitive, as nine out of those 16 losses were by three runs or less. The Jayhawks’ fielding looks to be the strength of the team once again, as the team finished 3rd in the Big 12 last season in fielding. The Jayhawks return five starters in the field.

Oklahoma Sooners

Head coach: Patty Gasso (24th season)

Last season: 57-5 (18-0 Big 12), Big 12 champions and College World Series semi-finalist

Big 12 Media poll placement: 1st

National rank (USA Today): No. 4

Summary:

The reigning Big 12 Champion Oklahoma Sooners are picked to repeat as Big 12 champions in 2019 and have the potential to win their third College World Series in four years. The Sooners offense had the best on-base percentage in the Big 12 last season.

The Sooners return six starters in their batting lineup from last season, including standouts such as sophomore Jocelyn Alo, senior Caleigh Clifton and senior Sydney Romero. The Sooners’ three starting pitchers from last season had the three best earned run average’s in the Big 12, but only one — junior Mariah Lopez — returns this season.

Oklahoma State Cowgirls

Head coach: Kenny Gajewski (4th season)

Last season: 39-22 (12-6 Big 12), finished tied for second in the Big 12, made the NCAA tournament

Big 12 Media poll placement: 4th

National rank (USA Today): Not Ranked

Summary:

The Cowgirls finished in top three in the Big 12 last season in batting average and pitching in earned runs average while finishing tied for second last season, but are expected to take a small step back this season. The Cowgirls have to replace four starters in the field from last season, including Vanessa Shippy, who led the Big 12 in batting average at .471.

Look for junior infielder Madi Sue Montgomery and junior utility player Taylor Lynch to lead the offense, as both posted a batting average above .340. Senior Samantha Clakley is one of the two returning starting pitchers for the Cowgirls and expected to be one of the best pitchers in the Big 12 this season.

Texas Longhorns

Head coach: Mike White (1st season)

Last season: 33-26 (10-8 Big 12), finished 4th in the Big 12, made the NCAA tournament

Big 12 Media poll placement: 2nd

National rank (USA Today): No. 16

Summary:

The Longhorns made a big splash this offseason by signing Mike White. While coaching at Oregon University, White’s teams won five Pac-12 championships in eight years and made five College World Series appearances. White’s Longhorns squad returns eight players who either played in more than 50 games or started in more than 35 games in the field.

The Longhorns offense had a batting average of .268, which was second-to-last in the Big 12, but that number will likely improve this season. The Longhorns finished in second in the field in the Big 12 with a fielding percentage of .976. Senior pitcher Brooke Bolinger will lead the Longhorns pitching staff.

Texas Tech Red Raiders

Head coach: Adrian Gregory (5th season)

Last season: 31-28 (5-13 Big 12), finished 5th in the Big 12

Big 12 Media poll placement: 5th

National rank (USA Today): Not Ranked

Summary:

The Red Raiders should be one of the best teams offensively in the Big 12, as they return eight starters from last years lineup including senior Jessica Hartwell and sophomore Heaven Burton, who both finished in the top 10 for individual batting average last season. The Red Raiders finished second to last in the Big 12 in team fielding with a .963 fielding percentage, but with so many starters returning that number is bound to improve. The Red Raiders only return one pitcher that played last season, sophomore Erin Edmundson.

The Red Raiders have the talent offensively and in the field to make it back to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2012, but what’s going to make or break that opportunity is how good their pitching is this season.