Arizona outfielder Janelle MeoΓ±o and catcher Sharlize Palacios began last season as complimentary pieces to star-studded senior class.
But that changed quickly. MeoΓ±o ascended to the leadoff spot, ripped off a 27-game hit streak and finished with the Pac-12 batting title touting a .442 clip. Palacios, hitting right behind catcher Dejah Mulipola in the lineup, blasted 18 home runs with 57 RBIs β finishing just behind Mulipola for the team lead in both categories.
Yet, quarantining, COVID-19 testing mandates, the battle to get fans in the stands, rearranging a nonconference schedule on the fly, a long road trip across Florida, both threatened and actual cancellations, five straight postseason wins and a Womenβs College World Series appearance before Mike Candreaβs retirement all combined to make the season feel like a blur.
It wasnβt until MeoΓ±o returned home that she got a chance to reflect on how much the Wildcats accomplished and her role in that success.
βLooking back at the season, sometimes Iβm in awe of what I did, like βI did that?β MeoΓ±o said. βIβm super grateful for that season, because it taught me a lot. I got to learn under the seniors and (Candrea).β
Janelle MeoΓ±o will take over for All-American Alyssa Palomino-Cardoza in center field.
Caitlin Lowe takes over for Candrea, who stepped down following 36 seasons as head coach. In a smaller way, MeoΓ±o and Palacios are stepping into big shoes as well.
MeoΓ±o is likely to be the starting center fielder, taking over for two-time first-team All-American Alyssa Palomino-Cardoza. For the last four of the last five years, Arizona has had No. 32 anchoring its outfield. And not only did Palomino-Cardoza play nearly perfectly in the field, committing just one error in her career there, but she also pounded the eighth-most home runs in school history (69) with a career .346 batting average.
βShe always wanted to catch every ball,β MeoΓ±o said. βThatβs what I learned from her, to go after everything and get after it.β
Palacios takes over for Mulipola, Arizonaβs first First Team All-American catcher since 1998 and two-time reigning NFCA Catcher of the Year. But beyond all of her awards and eye-popping statistics, Mulipola was known for being consistent. Late-season offensive slumps are common for even the best catchers in the game, but Mulipola hit six of her team-leading 21 home runs in her last 10 games in 2021. She also started each of the teamβs 56 games and recorded a hit in 42 of them.
Arizona catcher Sharlize Palacios throws the ball to pitcher Hanah Bowen during a practice last week on campus. Dejah Mulipolaβs replacement behind the plate, Palacios says her goal is to βtake care of my body, fueling myself with good stuff and not try to do crazy things while Iβm running or sliding. Iβm going to try to keep myself healthy as much as I can.β
Palacios says sheβs learned a lot from Mulipola on how to handle such a large workload behind the plate.
βMy goal is going to be take care of my body, fueling myself with good stuff and not try to do crazy things while Iβm running or sliding,β Palacios said. βIβm going to try to keep myself healthy as much as I can.β
Arizonaβs Sharlize Palacios trots around the bases after belting a grand slam during the NCAA Regionals in May.
The 2022 Arizona softball season will be deemed a new era regardless. However, the changing of the guard runs deeper than just Lowe.
After all, the Wildcats once again have high expectations with a No. 9 preseason ranking. Their success on the field will likely be determined by how the leaders of this new era, particularly MeoΓ±o and Palacios, handle their roles.
