Arizona Wildcats softball

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Arizona Wildcats softball
Softball current event.svg 2023 Arizona Wildcats Softball team
Arizona Wildcats logo.svg
Founded1974
University University of Arizona
Athletic director Desireé Reed-Francois
All-time Record2,101–683–2 (.754) [1]
Head coach Caitlin Lowe (3rd season)
Conference Pac-12
Location Tucson, Arizona
Home stadium Mike Candrea Field at Rita Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium (Capacity: 2,956)
Nickname Wildcats
ColorsCardinal 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, 2024
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, 2024
Regular Season Conference championships
1992, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2017

The Arizona Wildcats softball team represents the University of Arizona in NCAA Division I Softball. Having claimed eight national championships (second only to UCLA), the team is one of the most successful in the history of the sport. It plays its home games at Rita Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium in Tucson, AZ. The team was formerly coached by Mike Candrea, who began his UA coaching career in 1986 and announced his retirement on June 8, 2021. He retired as the all time winningest coach in Collegiate softball history with 1,674 wins, more Collegiate national titles with 8 and the fourth most wins of any coach in any NCAA sport. [4]

Contents

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 Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) Women's College World Series (WCWS). The AIAW and Amateur Softball Association [3] co-sponsored the Women's College World Series through 1982 (the NCAA held a separate tournament in 1982 when it began organizing women's softball). The 1975 team also played in the WCWS. In 1977, the Wildcats finished second in the WCWS, just missing out on winning the tournament. In 1979, the team once again qualified for the WCWS. However, after the 1979 season, the Wildcats failed to make the postseason again until 1987. From 1981 to 1986, the Wildcats were members of the Western Collegiate Athletic Association (WCAA), which renamed itself the Pacific West Conference (PacWest; not to be confused with the current NCAA Division II conference) for its final season. [6] The WCAA/PacWest folded after the 1986 season when the then-Pac-10, home to all five of the final PacWest members, began sponsoring women's sports.

Mike Candrea era (1986–2021)

Rita Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium in 2019 University of Arizona May 2019 40 (Rita Hillenbrand Stadium).jpg
Rita Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium in 2019

Mike Candrea was hired for the 1986 season to build the Wildcats program. In his first season, the Wildcats won 29 games and missed out on the postseason. However, in 1987, Arizona won 42 games and made the NCAA tournament for the first time since the NCAA began sponsoring the sport. In 1988, Candrea guided the Wildcats to 54 wins and an appearance in the Women's College World Series where the team finished tied for third place. From 1988 to 2003, the Wildcats made sixteen straight appearances in the Women's College World Series. Arizona's first national championship season came in 1991. The Wildcats went 56–16 that year. In 1992, the Wildcats won the school's first Pac-10 title and finished runner-up at the Women's College World Series. The Wildcats continued their hot streak throughout the 1990s winning national championships in 1993, 1994, 1996, and 1997. The 1994 team went 64–3 and was ranked #1 throughout the year. Arizona also claimed the Pac-10 championship in 1994, 1995, 1997, and 1998. The Wildcats experienced continued success in the 2000s winning another national title in 2001 after finishing that year 65–4. The Wildcats won the 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2007 conference titles. Candrea left Arizona to coach the USA National team in the 2004 Olympics, and Larry Ray was named the interim coach for the 2004 season. The 2004 team won 55 games but lost to the Oklahoma Sooners in the Regionals, which marked the first time since 1987 that the Wildcats did not make it to the Women's College World Series. Candrea returned in 2005, and the Wildcats again returned to Oklahoma City for the World Series. The 2006 Arizona team defeated the Northwestern Wildcats to capture the Wildcats' seventh national title and their first since 2001. The 2007 Wildcats repeated as national champions by defeating the Tennessee Lady Volunteers in the championship series after losing the opening game of the series. Larry Ray again was tagged the interim coach in 2008 when Candrea coached the U.S. National Team at the 2008 Olympics. The 2008 team again made it to the Women's College World Series finishing tied for seventh in the eight team field. The Wildcats participated in the World Series in both 2009 and 2010 finishing tied for seventh and second respectively. [7] In 2011, the Wildcats were eliminated in the NCAA Super Regional play by the Oklahoma Sooners. [8]

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]

Head coaches

NameYearsSeasonsWonLostTiePct.
Judy Spray1974–1976345180.714
Ginny Parrish1977–1979382400.672
Rocky LaRose1980123230.500
Paula Noel1981–19855103930.526
Larry Ray (Interim)2004, 2008296250.793
Mike Candrea 1986–2021361,6744362.793
Caitlin Lowe-Nagy 2022–present378480.619
All-Time502,1016832.754

Year-by-year results

SeasonCoachRecordNotes
OverallConference
Intermountain Conference
1974Judy Spray11–3 AIAW College World Series
197513–8 AIAW College World Series
197621–7
1977Ginny Parrish22–146–2 AIAW College World Series
197816–113–6
197944–1515–3 AIAW College World Series
Western Collegiate Athletic Association
1980Rocky LaRose23–232–14
1981Paula Noel24–205–11
198221–206–14
198320–247–12
198428–165–5
198517–165–7
1986Mike Candrea27–13–15–6–1
1987Mike Candrea42–186–4NCAA Regional
198854–1815–5 Women's College World Series
198948–1911–9 Women's College World Series
199049–1712–6 Women's College World Series
199156–1611–9 Women's College World Series Champions
199258–716–2Pac-10 Champions, Women's College World Series
199344–815–3 Women's College World Series Champions
199464–323–1Pac-10 Champions, Women's College World Series Champions
199566–624–4Pac-10 Champions, Women's College World Series
199658–923–5 Women's College World Series Champions
199761–526–1Pac-10 Champions, Women's College World Series Champions
199867–427–1Pac-10 Champions, Women's College World Series
199953–1619–9 Women's College World Series
200059–916–4 Women's College World Series
200165–419–2Pac-10 Champions, Women's College World Series Champions
200255–1215–6 Women's College World Series
200356–719–2Pac-10 Champions, Women's College World Series
2004Larry Ray55–617–3Pac-10 Champions, NCAA Regional
2005Mike Candrea45–1213–8Pac-10 Champions, Women's College World Series
200654–1115–6 Women's College World Series Champions
200750–14–115–5–1Pac-10 Champions, Women's College World Series Champions
2008Larry Ray41–1913–8 Women's College World Series
2009Mike Candrea46–1713–7 Women's College World Series
201052–1412–8 Women's College World Series
201143–1811–10 NCAA Super Regional
201244–1612–12 NCAA Super Regional
201333–249–15 NCAA Regional
201444–1614–10 NCAA Super Regional
201541–2013–11 NCAA Super Regional
201640–2113–11 NCAA Super Regional
201752–918–6Pac-12 Champions, NCAA Super Regional
201843–1413–11 NCAA Super Regional
201948–1419–5 Women's College World Series
202022–30–0Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
202141–1512–10 Women's College World Series
2022Caitlin Lowe-Nagy39–228–16 Women's College World Series
202329–256–18
202428–13–19–9

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
Seeds →3112112132179108131112214611

National championships

Arizona Wildcats Softball

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

Women's College World Series Most Outstanding Player

Player

Jenny Dalton

1996

Nancy Evans

1996

Jennie Finch

2001

Alicia Hollowell

2006

Taryne Mowatt

2007

Retired jerseys

Retired Softball Jerseys

Jenny
Dalton


16

Nancy
Evans


13

Jennie
Finch


27

Susie
Parra


1

Julie
Reitan


10

Wildcats of note

NameSeasons as WildcatPositionAccomplishment
Leah Braatz1994–98CatcherFour Time 1st Team All American, Two Time National Champion (1994, 1996)
Jenny Dalton 1993–962nd BaseAll-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 Espinoza1992–95ShortstopAll-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 Evans1994–98PitcherNCAA 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 1999–02PitcherNCAA Consecutive Victory Record (60), Perfect Season Record (32−0), Three Time 1st Team All American, Olympic Gold Medal (2004), National Champion (2001)
Alicia Hollowell 2003–06PitcherAll 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 Lastrapes2008–11OutfieldThree Time 1st Team All American
Caitlin Lowe 2004–07CenterfieldArizona 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 McCutcheon1995–98OutfieldThree Time 1st Team All American, All-Time NCAA Single Season (132) & Career Hits (405) leader, Two Time National Champion (1996, 1997)
Leah O'Brien 1993–97CenterfieldThree Time 1st Team All American, Three Time National Champion (1993, 1994, 1997), Olympic Gold Medal (1996, 2000, 2004)

National awards

Honda Softball Award

USA Softball Female Athlete of the Year

ESPY Award

Lowe's Senior Class Award

NFCA Golden Shoe Award

NFCA Catcher of the Year

Coach of the Year

Conference awards

Pac-10 Conference Medal

Pac-12 Player of the Year

Pac-12 Pitcher of the Year

Pac-12 Freshman of the Year

Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year

Pac-12 Scholar Athlete of the Year

CoSIDA Academic All-Americans [14]

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]

OpponentWinsLossesTiesPct.Streak
Arizona State 105611(.632)Arizona 4
California 91380(.705)California 2
Oregon 92380(.708)Arizona 1
Oregon State 117180(.867)Arizona 4
Stanford 85191(.814)Stanford 1
UCLA 61970(.386)UCLA 1
Utah 48160(.750)Arizona 2
Washington 72460(.610)Arizona 1

All-Time Statistical leaders

Source: [16]