New league, new rivals loading.
Arizona softball is ready and excited for the new challenge.
However, before the Wildcats get to the Big 12 home opening series on March 7 against UCF, they have a formidable task ahead of them in their preseason slate.
On deck first for No. 17 Arizona is the Candrea Classic on Thursday, with a doubleheader against Michigan State starting at 5 p.m. They will also face No. 11 Alabama on Saturday and have two games against former Pac-12 foe Washington on Friday and Sunday.
Lauren Lappin, assistant coach of the Arizona softball team, gives directions to her players during practice at Rita Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium on Jan. 31, 2025.
Arizona coach Caitlin Lowe has scheduled a number of former Pac-12 opponents this year — UCLA and Stanford, as well — and that was by design.
“It was 100% intentional,” Lowe said. “Those talks started before the end of the Pac-12 as we knew it. As far as head coaches and wanting to maintain relationships and not even thinking about it, it is actually easier for us to schedule these West Coast teams that we’ve never been able to schedule before because we had them in conference.
“It really is nice to have Washington come down because they’re getting better weather in pre-conference tournaments, but also maintain that relationship. Stanford come down and then getting to play UCLA in California. It’s exciting. I know we’ve talked to the Oregon schools about it. That’s good competition for us, (playing) constant top 25 teams and teams that we have that familiarity with. We’re all vying to be in the postseason every single year. I think it’s also important to get the top competition at our tournaments before conference starts.”
The Wildcats will be facing Stanford in the Hillenbrand Invitational on Feb. 20 and 23 and will compete against UCLA at the Judi Garman Classic at Fullerton, only once, on March 1.
New faces
Devyn Netz is back after sitting out last season with a back injury. The do-it-all fifth-year senior (pitcher, designated player and first baseman) never expected to be playing in the Big 12.
“I was like, ‘I’m gonna go out with the Pac-12. See you guys. You guys have fun in the Big 12 and that competition,’” Netz said. “But I’m actually really excited because we actually got to see a lot of this competition preseason (in past years). There’s some good teams that we’re going to face. Obviously, I feel like we’re going to miss that Pac-12 conference, just how competitive that conference was. But definitely coming into this new conference, it’s going to be challenging, it’s going to be a lot of new looks. But I’m excited because it’s a new shift, and it’s kind of cool to see where the game of softball is going.”
With all the transferring this offseason, Arizona will also see plenty of familiar faces in the new league. Two of them are top pitchers: NiJaree Canady, who went from Stanford to Texas Tech, and Ruby Meylan, who went from Washington to Oklahoma State.
Arizona infielder Tayler Biehl eyes first base during practice at Rita Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium on Jan. 31, 2025.
New rivalries
As for new rivalries, No. 4 Oklahoma State is front and center. In a small poll taken at softball media day on Friday with Netz, Dakota Kennedy, Tayler Biehl and Regan Shockey, OSU was the odds-on favorite.
Shockey also mentioned No. 10 Texas Tech as “Their team’s really fresh. They got a lot — new coach, new transfers, great players. I just think it’d be a great matchup.”
Texas Tech earned honors from Softball America for having the No. 1 transfer class this offseason. Canady, the reigning Player of the Year, who is considered the best pitcher in the nation, picked up a cool $1 million for joining the Red Raiders. In addition, her transfer classmates include seven others highlighted by Mihyia Davis (from Louisiana Lafayette), Alana Johnson (from Washington) and Chloe Riassetto (from Louisiana Lafayette). Gerry Glasco came over to coach Texas Tech from Louisiana.
Oklahoma State and Arizona have history, which makes it an ideal rivalry. Last season, the Wildcats’ dreams of going back to the Women’s College World Series were dashed in Stillwater in the Super Regionals, losing both games. In 2022, at the WCWS in Oklahoma City, the Wildcats lost 4-2 to the Cowgirls.
Lowe wouldn’t commit to just one team to build a new rivalry with, as she thinks “there are going to be a lot of competitive series” in the Big 12.
“Yes, Oklahoma State, I think, because we faced them for a few years now and then ending the way we did last year,” Lowe said. “Then Texas Tech, right? ... (They) made big moves in the offseason, and we’re going to have one of the best pitchers in the conference again, which is exciting for us. It’s exciting for us to face the best competition, to get prepared for the postseason. Baylor is tough. BYU is tough. Everybody brings something and they had a whole lot of surprises against some really good teams. … We’re excited about it. I think we won’t know until we get into it and see what happens.”
Arizona infielder Anyssa Wild (19) warms up with her teammates during practice at Rita Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium on Jan. 31, 2025.
Playing in OKC
One of the advantages to playing in the Big 12 is the opportunity to play on the field at Devon Park, where the WCWS is held, for the league tournament.
The opportunity isn’t lost on Netz, who has taken two trips to OKC, in 2021 and 2022.
“I probably say it’s about time because we play a lot of these teams that play their conference tournament there, and (it) gives them a little home field advantage when it comes to playing on that dirt,” Netz said. “For us, finally being able to soak in that moment, go there and see what it’s like, it’s going to give us a little taste of what we really want in reality, which is a World Series.”
Sun Devil turned Wildcat
Arizona’s new assistant, who is focusing on hitters and catchers, is Amber Freeman. She’s coached at Georgia, Cal and Vanguard University and is also in the USA Softball coaching pool.
In her playing days, she was an All-American catcher at ASU and was the 2013 Pac-12 Player of the Year. She also played professionally and for USA Softball.
“I give her a hard time all the time (about being a Sun Devil),” Lowe said with a laugh.
It’s not just Freeman’s skillset that attracted Lowe, it is her approach.
“She is very, extremely confident, extremely intelligent, passionate about what she does, super competitive, and once again, even-keeled,” Lowe said. “She is going to be passionate about what she does and make sure you are just the utmost, just prepared for stepping into the on-deck circle and taking your at-bat.
“It’s just been exciting to see them gravitate towards her and share that energy. I think that’s very much so the good qualities that we have as hitters. Anytime someone can step in and make them feel like their strongest, most confident selves going up, that’s all you can ask for.”
