The last time Arizona didn’t make the NCAA softball tournament, retired head coach Mike Candrea was in his first season with the Wildcats. The 35-season run ended in head coach Caitlin Lowe’s second season when the Wildcats were left out of the field.
Arizona was a very young team that dealt with injuries and absences throughout the season, including a six-week absence by slugger Carlie Scupin when her arm was broken by a pitch on Mar. 15.
The team ended with a 29-25 record, although it was more competitive against top competition this season than last year when it made a run to the Women’s College World Series as an unseeded team.