Two more preseason polls were released Tuesday morning and, as expected, the Arizona softball team found its way onto both Top 25 lists.
First out was D1 Softball, where Arizona was ranked No. 12, followed by ESPN/USA Softball’s poll, where Arizona was No. 17.
Three Big 12 opponents were on both polls, as well: Oklahoma State (fifth on D1 and fourth on ESPN), Texas Tech (13th on D1, 10th on ESPN) and Baylor (21st on D1, 19th on ESPN).
Arizona outfielder Dakota Kennedy jumps and misses a home run hit by Oklahoma State infielder Tallen Edwards during the first inning of the NCAA Softball Tournament Super Regional matchup between OSU and the Wildcats at Cowgirl Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma, on May 25, 2024.
Arizona was ranked No. 14 on Softball America’s preseason poll a few weeks ago.
The Wildcats made it to the Super Regionals of last year’s NCAA Tournament, dropping two games in Stillwater, Oklahoma, to now-Big 12 opponent Oklahoma State.
This year’s squad is packed with returners like gold glover winner and All-American Dakota Kennedy, Pac-12 co-Defensive Player of the Year Tayler Biehl, Kaiah Altmeyer, Softball American Freshman All-American Regan Shockey, and Devyn Netz, who is back after sitting out last season with an injury.
The home-opening series, the Candrea Classic, is just two weeks away. On Feb. 6, the Wildcats will play a doubleheader against Michigan State, followed the next day with a matchup against former Pac-12 foe Washington.
