Arizona Wildcats softball explained

Arizona Wildcats softball
Currentseason:2023 Arizona Wildcats Softball team
University:University of Arizona
Athletic Director:Desireé Reed-Francois
Record:[1]
Coach:Caitlin Lowe
Tenure:3rd
Conference:Big 12 Conference
Conference Short:Pac-12
Location:Tucson, Arizona
City:Tucson
State:Arizona
Stateabb:AZ
Stadium:Mike Candrea Field at Rita Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium
Capacity:2,956
Nickname:Wildcats
National Champion:1991, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2006, 2007
Wcws Runnerup:1992, 1995, 1998, 2002, 2010
Wcws: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
Wcws2:1974, 1975, 1977, 1979[2]
Super Regional:2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2024
Ncaa Tourneys: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
Conference Champion: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.[3]

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.[4]

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[2] 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.[5] 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)

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.[6] In 2011, the Wildcats were eliminated in the NCAA Super Regional play by the Oklahoma Sooners.[7]

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.[8]

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.[9] 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.[10] Leah Braatz became Arizona's first four-time first team All-American.[11] Caitlin Lowe became Arizona's second player to be a four-time first team All-American.[12]

Karen Fellenz 1984
Vivian Holm 1990
Julie Standering 1991
Debbie Day (2) P 1992
Jody Miller-Pruit 1992
Jamie Heggen (2) CF 1993
Susie Parra (2) P 1993
Leah Braatz C 1994
Amy Chellevold (3) 1B 1994
Jenny Dalton 2B 1994
Laura Espinoza (2) SS 1994
CF 1994
Susie Parra (3) P 1994
Leah Braatz (2) C 1995
Amy Chellevold (4) 1B 1995
Jenny Dalton (2) 2B 1995
Carrie Dolan P 1995
Laura Espinoza (3) SS 1994
Leah O’Brien (2) CF 1995
Jenny Dalton (3) 2B 1996
Alison McCutcheon LF 1996
Leticia Pineda C 1996
Leah Braatz (3) C 1997
Nancy Evans P 1997
Alison McCutcheon (2) LF 1997
Leah O’Brien (3) CF 1997
Leticia Pineda (2) 3B 1997
Lauren Bauer LF 1998
Leah Braatz (4) C 1998
Nancy Evans (2) P 1998
Toni Mascarenas 3B 1998
Alison McCutcheon (3) LF 1998
Leticia Pineda (3) 1B 1998
P 2000
Lauren Bauer (4) LF 2001
Jennie Finch (2) P 2001
Leneah Manuma 1B 2001
Toni Mascarenas (3) 3B 2001
Jennie Finch (3) P 2002
Leneah Manuma (2) 1B 2002
Autumn Champion LF 2003
Alicia Hollowell P 2003
Lovie Jung SS 2003
Wendy Allen DP 2004
Autumn Champion (2) LF 2004
Alicia Hollowell (2) P 2004
CF 2004
Kristie Fox SS 2005
Caitlin Lowe (2) CF 2005
Kristie Fox (2) SS 2006
Caitlin Lowe (3) CF 2006
Caitlin Lowe (4) CF 2007
Brittany Lastrapes (2) LF 2009
Kenzie Fowler P 2010
Brittany Lastrapes (3) LF 2010
Brittany Lastrapes (4) LF 2011
Hallie Wilson 1B 2014
Jessie Harper 1B 2017
Danielle O'Toole P 2017
Alyssa Palomino-Cardoza 1B 2018
Taylor McQuillin P 2019
Dejah Mulipola C 2019
Alyssa Palomino-Cardoza OF 2018
Dejah Mulipola (2) C 2021
Teresa Cherry 1988
Nicki Dennis 1990
Julie Jones 1990
Julie Jones (2) 1991
Jamie Heggen 1992
Susie Parra P 1992
Amy Chellevold (2) 1B 1993
Laura Espinoza SS 1993
Jody Miller-Pruit (2) C 1993
Krista Gomez P 1996
Carrie Dolan (2) 3B 1996
Brandi Shriver LF 1996
Lauren Bauer (3) LF 2000
Nicole Giordano (2) LF 2000
Toni Mascarenas (2) 3B 2000
Courtney Fossatti 2003
Alicia Hollowell (3) P 2005
Alicia Hollowell (4) P 2006
Taryne Mowatt P 2007
K’Lee Arredondo SS 2010
Stacie Chambers (2) C 2010
Brigette Del Ponte 3B 2011
Kenzie Fowler (2) P 2011
Chelsea Goodacre C 2015
Katiyana Mauga (2) 3B 2017
Mo Mercado SS 2017
Reyna Carranco 2B 2019
Jessie Harper (2) 1B 2019
Allie Skagg 2B 2022
Allie Skagg (2) 2B 2023
Debby Day P 1991
Amy Chellevold 1B 1992
Lauren Bauer (2) LF 1999
Nicole Giordano LF 1999
Becky Lemke P 1999
Lindsey Collins C 2000
Nicole Giordano (3) LF 2001
Brittany Lastrapes LF 2008
Laine Roth 1B 2008
Stacie Chambers C 2009
Jenae Leles 3B 2009
Kellie Fox SS 2014
Kellie Fox (2) SS 2015
Katiyana Mauga RF 2015
Jessie Harper (3) SS 2021
Alyssa Denham P 2021
Janelle Meoño LF 2021

Head coaches

See main article: List of Arizona Wildcats head softball coaches.

! Name! Years! Seasons! Won! Lost! Tie! Pct.
Judy Spray1974–1976345180
Ginny Parrish1977–1979382400
Rocky LaRose1980123230
Paula Noel1981–19855103930
Larry Ray (Interim)2004, 2008296250
Mike Candrea1986–2021361,6744362
Caitlin Lowe-Nagy2022–present378480
All-Time502,1016832

Year-by-year results

See main article: List of Arizona Wildcats softball seasons.

SeasonCoachRecordNotes
Overall Conference
Intermountain Conference
1974Judy Spray11–3—AIAW College World Series
197513–8—AIAW College World Series
197621–7—
1977Ginny Parrish22–146–2AIAW College World Series
197816–113–6
197944–1515–3AIAW 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
<--Pacific West Conference is about the current NCAA D-II conference. The WCAA had renamed itself the Pacific West Conference for its final school year of 1985–86.-->
1986Mike Candrea27–13–15–6–1
1987Mike Candrea42–186–4NCAA Regional
198854–1815–5Women's College World Series
198948–1911–9Women's College World Series
199049–1712–6Women's College World Series
199156–1611–9Women's College World Series Champions
199258–716–2Pac-10 Champions, Women's College World Series
199344–815–3Women'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
199658–923–5Women'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
199953–1619–9Women's College World Series
200059–916–4Women's College World Series
200165–419–2Pac-10 Champions, Women's College World Series Champions
200255–1215–6Women'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
200654–1115–6Women's College World Series Champions
200750–14–115–5–1Pac-10 Champions, Women's College World Series Champions
2008Larry Ray41–1913–8Women's College World Series
2009Mike Candrea46–1713–7Women's College World Series
201052–1412–8Women's College World Series
201143–1811–10NCAA Super Regional
201244–1612–12NCAA Super Regional
201333–249–15NCAA Regional
201444–1614–10 NCAA Super Regional
201541–2013–11NCAA Super Regional
201640–2113–11NCAA Super Regional
201752–918–6Pac-12 Champions, NCAA Super Regional
201843–1413–11NCAA Super Regional
201948–1419–5Women's College World Series
202022–30–0Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
202141–1512–10Women's College World Series
2022Caitlin Lowe-Nagy39–228–16Women'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.

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

Wildcats of note

Leah Braatz1994–98CatcherFour Time 1st Team All American, Two Time National Champion (1994, 1996)
Jenny Dalton1993–962nd 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 Finch1999–02PitcherNCAA Consecutive Victory Record (60), Perfect Season Record (32−0), Three Time 1st Team All American, Olympic Gold Medal (2004), National Champion (2001)
Alicia Hollowell2003–06PitcherAll 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 Lowe2004–07CenterfieldArizona 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'Brien1993–97CenterfieldThree 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[13]

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.[14]

Arizona State105611Arizona 4
California91380California 2
Oregon92380Arizona 1
Oregon State117180Arizona 4
Stanford85191Stanford 1
UCLA61970UCLA 1
Utah48160Arizona 2
Washington72460Arizona 1

All-Time Statistical leaders

Source:[15]

Batting Average, Career (225 AB)
NameYearsBatting Average
Alison McCutcheon1997–98.466†
Caitlin Lowe2004–07.446
Leah O'Brien1993–97.428
Brittany Lastrapes2008–11.417
Autumn Champion2003–06.417
Hits, Career
NameYearsHits
Alison McCutcheon1995–98405†‡
Amy Chellevold1992–95371
Nicole Giordano1998–01359
Caitlin Lowe2004–07351
Lauren Bauer1998–01349
Home Runs, Career
NameYearsHome Runs
Kaityana Mauga2014–1792†
Jessie Harper2017–2192†
Stacie Chambers2008–1187
Laura Espinoza1992–9585
Leah Braatz1994–9885
Runs Batted In, Career
NameYearsRBI
Jenny Dalton1993–96328†‡
Leah Braatz1994–98322
Laura Espinoza1992–95314
Stacie Chambers2008–11293
Kaityana Mauga2014–17257
Runs Scored, Career
NameYearsRuns
Jenny Dalton1993–96293†
Alison McCutcheon1995–98289
Brittany Lastrapes2008–11253
Amy Chellevold1992–95252
Leah Braatz1994–98250
Stolen Bases, Career
NameYearsStolen Bases
Caitlin Lowe2004–07156
Alison McCutcheon1995–98148
Lauren Bauer1998–01133
Vivian Holm1987–90129
Amy Chellevold1992–95113
Walks, Career
NameYearsWalks
Jenny Dalton1993–96178
Leah Braatz1994–98173
Stacie Chambers2008–11158
Kaityana Mauga2014–17158
Brittany Lastrapes2008–11137
Games Played, Career
NameYearsWalks
Julie Standering1988–91277
Toni Mascarenas1998–01276
Leah Braatz1994–98271
Nancy Evans1994–98271
Jennie Finch1999–02270
Earned Run Average, Career
NameYearsERA
Debbie Day1991–920.44
Susie Parra1991–940.63
Pam Stone1982–840.73
Ginnie Scheller1987–900.81
Julie Jones1987–900.85
Victories, Career
NameYearsW–L
Alicia Hollowell2003–06144–23
Nancy Evans1994–98124–8
Jennie Finch1999–02119–16
Carrie Dolan1994–97103–13
Becky Lemke 1998–01103–19
Strikeouts, Career
NameYearsStrikeouts
Alicia Hollowell2003–061,768
Taryne Mowatt2005–081,267
Jennie Finch1999–021,028
Becky Lemke 1998–01916
Susie Parra1991–94874
Career Shutouts(Solo/Combined)
NameYearsShutouts
Alicia Hollowell2003–0681/8
Jennie Finch1999–0264/7
Susie Parra1991–9461/1
Nancy Evans1994–9853/2
Becky Lemke 1998–0144/9
Career No-Hitters(Solo/Combined)
NameYearsNo-Hitters
Alicia Hollowell2003–0616/1
Susie Parra1991–948
Jennie Finch1999–028
Taryne Mowatt2005–086/1
Debbie Day1991–926
† indicates Pac-12 record

‡ indicates NCAA record

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2023-24 Arizona Media Guide .
  2. Book: A Series Of Their Own: History Of The Women's College World Series. William. Plummer. Larry C. . Floyd . 2013. Turnkey Communications Inc.. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States. 978-0-9893007-0-4.
  3. Web site: Coach Mike Candrea: An Appreciation to the Standard.
  4. News: Robbins . Robert C. . University of Arizona Will Join the Big 12 Conference in 2024-25 . University of Arizona Athletics . August 4, 2023.
  5. Web site: Arizona Wildcats Yearly Records . 2011-05-30 . 2012-07-24 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120724221607/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/ariz/sports/w-softbl/auto_pdf/2010SoftballMediaGuide.pdf . dead .
  6. http://www.arizonawildcats.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=790919&SPID=127119&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=30700&ATCLID=207986330 Mike Candrea Biography: The University of Arizona Official Athletic Site
  7. http://www.azcentral.com/sports/ua/articles/2011/05/28/20110528arizona-wildcats-softball-ousted-by-oklahoma-super-regional.html Arizona Wildcats Eliminated from Tournament
  8. Web site: Arizona Announces Caitlin Lowe as Next Head Softball Coach.
  9. Web site: 2023 Arizona Softball Record Book .
  10. Web site: Leticia Pineda-Boutte Bio .
  11. Web site: Leah Braatz Player Bio .
  12. Web site: Caitlin Lowe Player Bio .
  13. Web site: University of Arizona - Academic All-Americans (as selected by CoSIDA). 2020-09-08. static.arizonawildcats.com.
  14. Web site: 2023 Arizona Softball Record Book.
  15. Web site: 2023 Arizona Softball Record Book .

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