The University of Arizona softball team is heading back to the plate this week with high expectations, as the Big 12 Preseason Coaches Poll projects them to finish third in the rankings.
This poll is the highest since 2022 when Arizona was picked to finish third in the Pac-12 Preseason Coaches Poll. That season the Wildcats met those expectations, advancing to the Women’s College World Series for the third-straight season and the 25th time in school history.
After last year’s season ended with a loss in the super-regional to Oklahoma State University, the Wildcats are ready for another chance for another incredible season.
Their season starts as a host for multiple series. They will host three back-to-back-to-back series at home with the Candrea Classic, Bear Down Fiesta and Hillenbrand Invitational.
A few particular challenges in their non-conference schedule include 11th ranked University of Alabama in the Candrea Classic, 22 ranked Stanford University in the Hillenbrand Invitational, and the world series runner-ups, 1st ranked University of Texas again in the Hillenbrand Invitational.
These, along with a game with the former Pac-12 opponent 6th-ranked UCLA should make the beginning of the season a challenging yet thrilling start to the season.
The latter half of the season is sure to have its fun including two home series against 10th-ranked Texas Tech University and the previously mentioned Oklahoma State University, both in April 2025.
Some players to watch out for this season are junior Dakota Kennedy and sophomore Regan Shockey. Both athletes earned unanimous selections to the Preseason All-Big 12 team.
Kennedy had a breakout sophomore season, earning a spot in left field for all 56 of Arizona’s games. She is a strong competitor both offensively and defensively, seen especially in her 13-game hitting streak from February 22 to March 8. She was also named a third-team National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-American in left field. Kennedy earned the Rawlings Gold Glove after finishing the season with a 1.000 fielding percentage in left field and led Arizona’s outfield with 111 putouts. This is her second preseason selection, being selected to the Preseason All-Big 12 team, after earning a spot on the Pac-12 team last season.
“I think that just gives me a lot of trust in my defense and knowing even when I don’t have to get the big strikeout. I don’t have to rely on that, I can rely on my defense to help me get the job done,” she said. “That is the whole point of a team sport especially when it comes to softball and knowing that they have those awards and honors makes it a little bit sweeter and the rivalries within this conference a little bit cooler as well… Our defense speaks volumes as well as our offense does.”
Amber Freeman, Arizona’s new assistant coach will be focusing on coaching the hitters and catchers. Previous to joining the Wildcats, Freeman coached at the University of Georgia where she helped the Bulldogs finish with a 43-19 record and a Super Regional appearance. Under her guidance, Georgia’s offense ranked among the nation’s best, sixth in the NCAA with 92 home runs, eighth with 1.48 home runs/game, 23rd with 86 doubles and 14th with a .527 slugging percentage.
The Wildcats have added some extra firepower with freshman Emma Kavanaugh and walk-on Camila Zepeda. Kavanaugh, a catcher from Barrington, Ill., has plenty of accolades to account for including NFCA’s High School Catcher of the Year in 2024.
Zepeda, an infielder from Pima Community College, joins after a stellar 2024. She was Pima’s leading batter with a .473 batting average. This was one of the many reasons she earned the NJCAA Division I second-team all-American and 2024 ACCAC Player of the Year.
Arizona will open up its 2025 season at Hillenbrand Stadium on Feb. 6-9 with the fourth-annual Candrea Classic. Arizona will welcome a competitive field including the University of Alabama, Michigan State University, the University of Washington and Western Michigan University for the tournament.
