Arizonaβs Hanah Bowen is 4-0 on the mound this year and has also thrived in a pinch-hitting role as well as playing some second base for UA, which has won eight straight games.
As Arizona softball coach Mike Candrea, puts it, Hanah Bowen βhas no down time at all.β
The redshirt junior from Ramona, California, has grown into a do-everything utility player for No. 8 Arizona this season.
She enters this weekendβs Bear Down Fiesta with a 4-0 record and 1.13 ERA as a pitcher, is the teamβs top pinch-hitter and even has seven starts at second base for the injured Reyna Carranco.
The last of those might be reduced soon. Candrea said Carranco is βgetting closerβ and may return this weekend. Regardless, Bowen will likely find a way into the lineup card. She always has.
β(Bowenβs) been a player like that all of her life,β Candrea said. βI just commend her ability, as it does take someone who is in pretty good shape to be able to take the ground balls necessary to be good defensively, spend time in the bullpen and spend time to hit.β
Bowenβs flexibility is most valuable in stretches like the next seven days.
The Wildcats (22-5, 6-2) take a break from Pac-12 play after sweeping Stanford in four games last week.
Theyβll host New Mexico State at 6 p.m. Friday and 3 p.m. Saturday before hosting an exhibition against the Mexican National Team at 6 p.m. Saturday. Arizona will then host a rare weekday doubleheader, hosting Grand Canyon starting at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.
The Wildcats will be heavy favorites against the Aggies (18-16, 3-3 WAC) and Antelopes (15-19, 4-2 WAC).
That might mean fewer innings for ace Alyssa Denham, who threw 12 shutout innings against Stanford, opening up opportunities for Bowen.
βIβve gotten to witness her improve so much,β Denham said. βAll of her hard work that she puts in is paying off. Itβs so great to be able to be here and watch it. I thank god Iβm on her side because sheβs on a roll. Her mentality is a lot different. Sheβs changed it. Sheβs so positive, and she does attack every pitch with her very best.β
Bowen acknowledges that change in mentality has been her biggest improvement. Candrea also notes that as a part-time hitter, she brings a unique perspective to the circle.
βFor some pitchers, itβs really good for them because they think like a hitter instead of thinking like a pitcher,β Candrea said. βThereβs some advantages to that. But sheβs just a really good athlete that loves playing the game and will play anywhere she needs to play to help the team win.β
Right now, and especially when Carranco returns, Arizona could use Bowenβs hot hand in the circle.
Arizona is 7-5 when it gives up two or more runs, and fifth-year senior Mariah Lopez has struggled, carrying a 2.37 ERA after allowing eight runs in her previous two appearances.
Photos: Arizona Wildcats fall to Team Mexico in softball exhibition