The Arizona softball team opens the home slate of its last season in the Conference of Champions after a series win over a rival left behind.
After losing 3-2 in eight innings last Friday, the No. 25 Wildcats (19-5-1) won 6-4 and 6-0 to take their first Pac-12 series of the season at Oregon State.
“It was huge. I think especially responding after Game 1, which didn’t end how we wanted it to end, it was important for us to get on a roll,” UA head coach Caitlin Lowe said.
Arizona hosts No. 8 Washington (18-3) for a three-game set on Friday, Saturday and Sunday to start the home portion of the Wildcats’ final Pac-12 season.
“It’s crazy to think about. I think the thought that came into my head was ‘when’s the next time we’re going to go to Corvallis? Ever?,’” Lowe said with a laugh. “So it’s pretty crazy, and we’ve had some really good times and excellent competition throughout our conference, so it’s sad but also we’re excited for the new venture.
Arizona coach Caitlin Lowe awaits the pregame meeting at home plate as the Wildcats prepared to face Lipscomb at the Candrea Classic on Feb. 9 at Hillenbrand Stadium.
“I’m just really excited to put our stamp on this year of the Pac-12 as well.”
While Arizona is going to the Big 12 and UW to the Big Ten, Oregon State signed a deal to play in the West Coast Conference as an affiliate for two seasons starting next year.
Senior infielder Allie Skaggs said it’s nice to be part of the recent historical changes and that she’s excited for the Wildcats’ future move to the Big 12.
“It’s crazy. I feel like it’s different for the seniors right now because we don’t know any different,” she said of being part of the last Pac-12 Wildcat class. “I think it’s cool that we get to go out with it.
“It’s been a cool experience that we got to be a part of the first Pac-12 Tournament, which was awesome and then now to kind of close it out I feel like I’ve gotten to be a part of so many things,” Skaggs added. “Even like coach (Mike) Candrea, I got to play for him and all these little things that I feel like I get to be a part of and then be part of the last of as well.”
Arizona’s Allie Skaggs (9) gets hoisted up by her teammates after her grand slam propelled the Wildcats to a run-rule, walk-off 13-4 win against rival Arizona State in the fifth inning of their Pac-12 Softball Tournament opening round game on May 10, 2023 at Hillenbrand Stadium.
UA leads the all-time series with Washington 71-44, but the Huskies swept the three-game series last year in rainy Seattle and have won seven of the last eight against Arizona. Last year, UW reached the Women’s College World Series, where the Huskies beat Utah but fell to Florida State and Stanford.
“I feel like almost all the Pac-12 rivalries have been so good,” Lowe said. “(UW head coach) Heather (Tarr) does a great job maintaining talent throughout the years, maintaining competitive teams, they obviously had a great year ending at the World Series last year and really her coaching staff has gotten pretty dynamic as far as bringing in a new offensive person and some new help, so they’re just feisty, they play with a good presence and they’re gonna walk in here thinking they can win and I think it’s just important to set our tone from the very beginning.”
Extra bases
Skaggs credits a return home for her recent resurgence at the plate.
She hit two home runs on Sunday and had four RBIs in the series. She said she had a mindset switch in Louisville last week after being “almost passive” trying to not hit pop ups earlier in the season.
Skaggs is a Tucson native who grew up in Louisville before spending her senior high school season at Ironwood Ridge.
Skaggs said she was “super thankful” to play in UL’s Ulmer Stadium, a place she had played at in high school.
“I got to see so many people that I hadn’t seen in forever — like all of my closest buddies from growing up came, a bunch of my dad’s work friends came,” Skaggs said. “It was a really cool full circle moment for me and to end it with a bomb too was like dream come true.”
On Saturday, the UA is giving away 50 Seasons of Arizona Softball Flags to the first 200 fans and it will be 1980s night.
On Sunday they will have a face painter, balloon artist and a chance for kids to run the bases after the game.
Arizona senior second baseman Allie Skaggs on how the Wildcats can get back to where they belong (the postseason), some youngsters to watch and what it meant to win a Gold Glove (video by Michael Lev / Arizona Daily Star)
