When Arizona softball sophomore Olivia DiNardo got to picking her college number, she settled on one familiar in the annals of program history.
Very familiar.
While the San Mateo, California, native wore No. 1 in travel ball, that number is retired at Arizona; 1994 national player of the year Susie Parra wore it. So UA head coach Caitlin Lowe suggested another San Mateo-native's number instead — though DiNardo called an audible.
“I told her she should’ve been No. 12 because she committed on December 12th and Tom Brady’s her favorite player," Lowe said. "But then she was like ‘I’m gonna take your number.'"
"She asked me if she could have it and I said absolutely,” Lowe added. “And then we’ve kinda been doing this project where you get to leave the jersey better than you’ve found it and she’s kinda taken that to heart and I’m just really proud to have her wearing it.”
Arizona's Olivia DiNardo takes some long throws from center field as the Wildcats get warmed up to face UCLA in a Pac-12 softball game at Hillenbrand Stadium on April 14, 2023.
This season being the program’s 50th anniversary, the Wildcats are engaging in “alumni connections” where the current Wildcats connect with former UA players who wore the same numbers.
Although Lowe, a star Wildcat outfielder from 2004-07, was a USA Softball National Player of the Year finalist three times, her number 26 was still available for DiNardo; among the primary criteria for number retirement is a national player of the year award.
“I was very familiar with the history of the program with obviously Mike Candrea and then Caitlin Lowe taking over when I committed,” DiNardo said. “So I committed under her, but obviously knowing all the great people that have played at Arizona was one of the main reasons why I came — for the tradition.”
The No. 23 Wildcats (10-1) host the Hillenbrand Invitational this weekend, starting with Drake (4-1) on Thursday at 6 p.m. Indiana (8-2), Marshall (6-4) and Central Michigan (1-4) will also take part.
DiNardo, who was NFCA All-West and All-Pac-12 last season, said it means a lot that this is the 50th anniversary season.
“It’s obviously really cool to be in a program like this that has all the historical wins and stuff like that,” DiNardo said. “So I think just looking at that every day and us a team remembering that there’s people before us that did their jobs and now it’s our year to do our job.”
Arizona catcher Olivia DiNardo (26) beats out a throw at first base before against North Texas on Feb. 10 at Hillenbrand Stadium.
DiNardo has done her job this year, hitting .407 with three home runs, 10 RBIs and five walks.
“She was able to hit a lot of different pitching, which was good to see and I like when her walk numbers are high because I know she’s seeing the ball well and she’s not trying to do too much out of her comfort zone,” Lowe said.
DiNardo has been hitting third or clean up, behind senior infielder Carlie Scupin.
“So very nice to see that especially she’s hitting behind someone like Scup, which is no easy task,” Lowe said. “She’s got the calming presence that you can have when you hit behind someone like that and I think that’s pretty special.”
As of midweek, DiNardo is tied for fourth in the Pac-12 in slugging (.815) with Scupin, tied for fourth in total bases (22) with Scupin, tied for 10th in on base percentage (.500), tied for seventh in RBIs and tied for fourth in home runs, just one behind the Conference of Champions’ leaders.
“I think I'm seeing the ball pretty well, which equals the home runs," DiNardo said. "But the goal is still hard line drives and if they get out of the park they get out of the park (laughs)."
The sophomore has started all 11 games, mostly at designated player, splitting time at catcher with freshman utility Emily Schepp as Lowe looks to save DiNardo for later in the season.
The 2000s No. 26 said the young catchers have been doing great.
"Emily was in a whole lot of big moments. Liv’s been fantastic. I love that we’ve been able to use both and kinda keep them both fresh, which has been nice to see,” Lowe said. “They’re holding their own back there and they’re working for their pitchers.
"I think that’s what you’re gonna see throughout the whole season — is them getting better as a battery versus just them getting better as catchers.”
Aidan Wohl contributed to this report
VIDEO: Ahead of the start of her team’s 2024 season, Arizona softball coach Caitlin Lowe speaks on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024 on the promise of catcher Olivia DiNardo and the entire Wildcat sophomore class heading into their second seasons in Tucson. (Courtesy Arizona Athletics)
VIDEO: Arizona softball players Blaise Biringer, Jasmine Perezchica, Olivia DiNardo and Allie Skaggs speak to assembled media about the 2024 season, the 50th anniversary of UA softball, and what to expect from a team hungry to get back to the NCAA tournament ahead of the start of the 2024 season on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024 at McKale Center in Tucson. (Courtesy Arizona Athletics)
