Arizona Wildcats softball
Arizona Wildcats softball | |
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2023 Arizona Wildcats Softball team | |
Founded | 1974 |
University | University of Arizona |
Athletic director | Desireé Reed-Francois |
All-time Record | 2,101–683–2 (.754)[1] |
Head coach | Caitlin Lowe-Nagy (3rd season) |
Conference | Pac-12 |
Location | Tucson, Arizona |
Home stadium | Mike Candrea Field at Rita Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium (Capacity: 2,956) |
Nickname | Wildcats |
Colors | Cardinal and navy[2] |
NCAA Tournament champions | |
1991, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2006, 2007 | |
NCAA WCWS runner-up | |
1992, 1995, 1998, 2002, 2010 | |
NCAA WCWS appearances | |
1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2019, 2021, 2022 | |
AIAW WCWS appearances | |
1974, 1975, 1977, 1979[3] | |
NCAA Super Regional appearances | |
2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022 | |
NCAA Tournament appearances | |
1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022 | |
Regular Season Conference championships | |
1992, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2017 |
The Arizona Wildcats softball team represents the
On August 4, 2023, Arizona announced it would join the Big 12 Conference along with Arizona State, Colorado, and Utah beginning in the 2024-25 academic year.[5]
History
1974 to 1985
The Arizona Wildcats officially began softball play in 1974 under head coach Judy Spray in the Intermountain Conference. The first team in the school's history went 11–3 and participated in the
Mike Candrea era (1986–2021)
Caitlin Lowe-Nagy era (2022–present)
Following the retirement of former head coach Mike Candrea, Lowe–Nagy was announced as the next head coach of the Arizona Wildcats softball program. Lowe–Nagy spent the last nine seasons under Candrea following a professional player with the USSSA Pride and internationally with Team USA, winning Silver Medal in the 2004 Summer Olympics. She also was a former player under Candrea, playing from 2004–2007 & had one of the most decorated careers of any player in Arizona history. A two-time national champion in 2006 & 2007, as well as numerous Arizona records such as: second in batting average (.446), fourth in hits (351), fourth in triples (12), seventh in runs scored (242) and first in stolen bases (156). She was unanimously named the greatest centerfielder of all time, both by a fan vote and by the 7Innings Podcast crew in its Greatest Softball Team of All-Time. Lowe–Nagy is one of only six Wildcat players to be named an NFCA All-American in each of her four years with the program and joined Leah Braatz (1994, 95, 97, 98) as the only player in Arizona history to be awarded first-team All-America all four years.[9]
All-Americans
Arizona has had 57 different players selected to All-American teams for a total of 111 times. Arizona has had 6 four-time all-americans(Chellevold, Braatz, Bauer, Hollowell, Lowe & Lastrapes) 9 three-time all-americans(Parra, Espinoza, Dalton, O’Brien, McCutcheon, Pineda, Mascarenas, Giordano, Finch & Harper) & 15 two-time all-americans.[10] Leticia Pineda became the first Division I softball player to be named a first team All-American at three different positions: catcher, third base & first base.[11] Leah Braatz became Arizona's first four-time first team All-American.[12] Caitlin Lowe became Arizona's second player to be a four-time first team All-American.[13]
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Head coaches
Name | Years | Seasons | Won | Lost | Tie | Pct. |
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Judy Spray | 1974–1976 | 3 | 45 | 18 | 0 | .714 |
Ginny Parrish | 1977–1979 | 3 | 82 | 40 | 0 | .672 |
Rocky LaRose | 1980 | 1 | 23 | 23 | 0 | .500 |
Paula Noel | 1981–1985 | 5 | 103 | 93 | 0 | .526 |
Larry Ray (Interim) | 2004, 2008 | 2 | 96 | 25 | 0 | .793 |
Mike Candrea | 1986–2021 | 36 | 1,674 | 436 | 2 | .793 |
Caitlin Lowe-Nagy | 2022–present | 3 | 78 | 48 | 0 | .619 |
All-Time | 50 | 2,101 | 683 | 2 | .754 |
Year-by-year results
Season | Coach | Record | Notes | |
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Overall | Conference | |||
Intermountain Conference | ||||
1974 | Judy Spray | 11–3 | — | AIAW College World Series |
1975 | 13–8 | — | AIAW College World Series | |
1976 | 21–7 | — | ||
1977 | Ginny Parrish | 22–14 | 6–2 | AIAW College World Series |
1978 | 16–11 | 3–6 | ||
1979 | 44–15 | 15–3 | AIAW College World Series | |
Western Collegiate Athletic Association | ||||
1980 | Rocky LaRose | 23–23 | 2–14 | |
1981 | Paula Noel | 24–20 | 5–11 | |
1982 | 21–20 | 6–14 | ||
1983 | 20–24 | 7–12 | ||
1984 | 28–16 | 5–5 | ||
1985 | 17–16 | 5–7 | ||
1986 | Mike Candrea | 27–13–1 | 5–6–1 | |
1987 | Mike Candrea | 42–18 | 6–4 | NCAA Regional |
1988 | 54–18 | 15–5 | Women's College World Series | |
1989 | 48–19 | 11–9 | Women's College World Series | |
1990 | 49–17 | 12–6 | Women's College World Series | |
1991 | 56–16 | 11–9 | Women's College World Series Champions | |
1992 | 58–7 | 16–2 | Pac-10 Champions, Women's College World Series | |
1993 | 44–8 | 15–3 | Women's College World Series Champions | |
1994 | 64–3 | 23–1 | Pac-10 Champions, Women's College World Series Champions | |
1995 | 66–6 | 24–4 | Pac-10 Champions, Women's College World Series | |
1996 | 58–9 | 23–5 | Women's College World Series Champions | |
1997 | 61–5 | 26–1 | Pac-10 Champions, Women's College World Series Champions | |
1998 | 67–4 | 27–1 | Pac-10 Champions, Women's College World Series | |
1999 | 53–16 | 19–9 | Women's College World Series | |
2000 | 59–9 | 16–4 | Women's College World Series | |
2001 | 65–4 | 19–2 | Pac-10 Champions, Women's College World Series Champions | |
2002 | 55–12 | 15–6 | Women's College World Series | |
2003 | 56–7 | 19–2 | Pac-10 Champions, Women's College World Series | |
2004 | Larry Ray | 55–6 | 17–3 | Pac-10 Champions, NCAA Regional |
2005 | Mike Candrea | 45–12 | 13–8 | Pac-10 Champions, Women's College World Series |
2006 | 54–11 | 15–6 | Women's College World Series Champions
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2007 | 50–14–1 | 15–5–1 | Pac-10 Champions, Women's College World Series Champions
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2008 | Larry Ray | 41–19 | 13–8 | Women's College World Series
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2009 | Mike Candrea | 46–17 | 13–7 | Women's College World Series
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2010 | 52–14 | 12–8 | Women's College World Series
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2011 | 43–18 | 11–10 | NCAA Super Regional | |
2012 | 44–16 | 12–12 | NCAA Super Regional
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2013 | 33–24 | 9–15 | NCAA Regional
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2014 | 44–16 | 14–10 | NCAA Super Regional
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2015 | 41–20 | 13–11 | NCAA Super Regional
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2016 | 40–21 | 13–11 | NCAA Super Regional
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2017 | 52–9 | 18–6 | Pac-12 Champions, NCAA Super Regional | |
2018 | 43–14 | 13–11 | NCAA Super Regional | |
2019 | 48–14 | 19–5 | Women's College World Series
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2020 | 22–3 | 0–0 | Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic | |
2021 | 41–15 | 12–10 | Women's College World Series
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2022 | Caitlin Lowe-Nagy | 39–22 | 8–16 | Women's College World Series
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2023 | 29–25 | 6–18 | ||
2024 | 28–13–1 | 9–9 |
NCAA Tournament seeding history
National seeding began in 2005. The Arizona Wildcats have been a national seed 14 of the 16 tournaments. Seeds in bold were national title seasons.
Years → | '93 | '94 | '95 | '96 | '97 | '01 | '02 | '03 | '05 | '06 | '07 | '08 | '09 | '10 | '11 | '12 | '14 | '15 | '17 | '18 | '19 | '21 |
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Seeds → | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 2 | 14 | 6 | 11 |
National championships
National Champions 1991 50–15 |
National Champions 1993 44–8 |
National Champions 1994 64–3 |
National Champions 1996 58–9 |
National Champions 1997 61–5 |
National Champions 2001 65–4 |
National Champions 2006 54–11 |
National Champions 2007 50–14–1 |
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Women's College World Series Most Outstanding Player
Jenny Dalton 1996 |
Nancy Evans 1996 |
Jennie Finch 2001 |
Alicia Hollowell 2006 |
Taryne Mowatt 2007 |
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Retired jerseys
Retired Softball Jerseys | ||||||||||||||
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Wildcats of note
Name | Seasons as Wildcat | Position | Accomplishment |
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Leah Braatz | 1994–98 | Catcher | Four Time 1st Team All American, Two Time National Champion (1994, 1996) |
Jenny Dalton
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1993–96 | 2nd Base | All-Time NCAA Career RBI (328) leader, Single Season Runs Scored (101) leader, Three Time 1st Team All American, Three Time National Champion (1993, 1994, 1996) |
Laura Espinoza | 1992–95 | Shortstop | All-Time NCAA Single Season Home Run (37), RBI (128) & Total Bases (232) Record, Two Time 1st Team All American, Two Time National Champion (1993, 1994) |
Nancy Evans | 1994–98 | Pitcher | NCAA Highest Career (Min 75 decisions) Winning Percentage (.939, 124−8), Two Time 1st Team All American, Three Time National Champion (1994, 1996, 1997) |
Jennie Finch | 1999–02 | Pitcher | NCAA Consecutive Victory Record (60), Perfect Season Record (32−0), Three Time 1st Team All American, Olympic Gold Medal (2004), National Champion (2001) |
Alicia Hollowell | 2003–06 | Pitcher | All Time Arizona Wins Leader (144), 17 Career No−Hitters, 4 Perfect Games, Two Time 1st Team All American, Olympic Silver Medal (2008), National Champion (2006) |
Brittany Lastrapes | 2008–11 | Outfield | Three Time 1st Team All American |
Caitlin Lowe | 2004–07 | Centerfield | Arizona All Time Steals Leader (156), Committed 0 Errors (234 Games), Four Time 1st Team All American, Olympic Silver Medal (2008), Two Time National Champion (2006, 2007) |
Alison McCutcheon | 1995–98 | Outfield | Three Time 1st Team All American, All-Time NCAA Single Season (132) & Career Hits (405) leader, Two Time National Champion (1996, 1997) |
Leah O'Brien | 1993–97 | Centerfield | Three Time 1st Team All American, Three Time National Champion (1993, 1994, 1997), Olympic Gold Medal (1996, 2000, 2004) |
National awards
Honda Softball Award
- 1993-94 – Susie Parra
- 1995-96 – Jenny Dalton
- 1997-98 – Nancy Evans
- 2000-01 – Jennie Finch
- 2001-02 – Jennie Finch
USA Softball Female Athlete of the Year
- 2009 Jennie Finch
- 2015 Kellie Fox
- 2015 Alyssa Palomino-Cardoza (Junior Athlete of the Year)
ESPY Award
- 2007 Taryne Mowatt - Best Female Athlete, Best Female College Athlete
Lowe's Senior Class Award
- 2007 Caitlin Lowe
- 2007 Caitlin Lowe
- 1997 Leah Braatz
- 1998 Leah Braatz
- 2019 Dejah Mulipola
- 2021 Dejah Mulipola
Coach of the Year
- 1986 Mike Candrea, Pacific-West co-honor
- 1987 Mike Candrea, Pac-10
- 1988 Mike Candrea, Northwest Region, Pac-10
- 1994 Mike Candrea, NSCA Div. I, National Coach of the Year, Pacific Region, Pac-10
- 1995 Mike Candrea, Pacific Region
- 1996 Mike Candrea, Speedline/NFCA Division I, National Coach of the Year
- 1997 Mike Candrea, Speedline/NFCA Division I, National Coach of the Year, Pac-10, Pacific-Region
- 1998 Mike Candrea, Pac-10
- 2000 Mike Candrea, Pac-10 co-honor
- 2001 Mike Candrea, Pac-10 co-honor
- 2002 Mike Candrea, Pac-10
- 2003 Mike Candrea, Pac-10
- 2007 Mike Candrea, Pac-10 Staff, NFCA Division I
- 2017 Mike Candrea, Pac-12 Staff, NFCA West Region
Conference awards
Pac-10 Conference Medal
- 1989 Stacy Engel
- 1995 Amy Chellevold
- 1996 Jenny Dalton
- 1997 Leah O'Brien
- 1998 Nancy Evans
- 2001 Lauren Bauer
- 2002 Jennie Finch
- 2003 Lovie Jung
- 2004 Wendy Allen
- 1994 Susie Parra
- 1995 Laura Espinoza
- 1996 Jenny Dalton
- 1997 Alison McCutcheon
- 1998 Alison McCutcheon
- 2005 Caitlin Lowe
- 2017 Katiyana Mauga
- 2001 Jennie Finch
- 2002 Jennie Finch
- 2004 Alicia Hollowell
- 2017 Danielle O'Toole
- 1994 Leah Braatz
- 1998 Toni Mascarenas
- 2002 Lovie Jung
- 2003 Alicia Hollowell
- 2004 Caitlin Lowe
- 2014 Katiyana Mauga
- 2021 Janelle Meoño
Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year
- 2007 Caitlin Lowe
- 2014 Kellie Fox
- 2015 Hallie Wilson
- 2023 Allie Skaggs
Pac-12 Scholar Athlete of the Year
- 2007 Kelsey Rodriguez
CoSIDA Academic All-Americans[14]
- 1984 Kathy Jo Lanford
- 1985 Lisa Bernstein
- 1985 Kathy Jo Lanford
- 1986 Lisa Bernstein
- 1994 Leah O'Brien
- 1995 Jenny Dalton
- 1995 Leah O'Brien
- 1996 Jenny Dalton
- 1997 Leah O'Brien
- 1998 Nancy Evans
- 2004 Wendy Allen
- 2006 Autumn Champion
- 2010 K'Lee Arredondo
- 2019 Tamara Statman
Record vs. Pac-12 opponents
The Arizona Wildcats lead the all-time series regardless of conference affiliation vs. eight other Pac-12 opponents(Colorado, USC & Washington State do not field a softball teams), trailing only UCLA.[15]
Opponent | Wins | Losses | Ties | Pct. | Streak |
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Arizona State | 102 | 61 | 1 | (.625) | Arizona 1 |
California | 90 | 36 | 0 | (.714) | Arizona 1 |
Oregon | 90 | 37 | 0 | (.709) | Oregon 3 |
Oregon State | 115 | 17 | 0 | (.871) | Arizona 2 |
Stanford | 84 | 17 | 1 | (.828) | Stanford 5 |
UCLA | 60 | 95 | 0 | (.387) | UCLA 8 |
Utah | 46 | 15 | 0 | (.754) | Utah 1 |
Washington | 71 | 44 | 0 | (.617) | Washington 3 |
- Total (658–322–2, .671)
- Note all-time series includes non-conference matchups, Pac-12 Tournament & Women's College World Series.
All-Time Statistical leaders
Source:[16]
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