One of the many Candrea-isms that you learn if you spend much time listening to Arizona softball head coach Mike Candrea is, “Pressure is a privilege.” Sometimes, that pressure can get to even the best athletes, though. It may well be one of the things causing Arizona to struggle against the best competition this season.
After last season was cut short by the pandemic, Candrea fought to get the senior class the opportunity to come back and end their careers on their own terms. That return was heralded by Arizona marketing. The team would do huge things with an extremely talented freshman class joining an accomplished group of fifth and sixth-year seniors.