TUCSON – Arizona softball has taken its first step in its quest for the 2016 Women's College World Series with the commencement of fall team practice on Wednesday.
The team, which held individual workouts for the two weeks leading up to today's first team practice, took the field at Hillenbrand Stadium on Wednesday to participate in fielding drills before taking batting practice.
“We've had two weeks of individuals and been very pleased with the progress,” said head coach Mike Candrea, ready to begin his 31st year as the team's head coach. “We're excited to put the whole team together right now. The emphasis this fall will be to try and find some pieces to the puzzle. We're going to be doing a lot of inter-squad scrimmaging. We've got five pitchers so we'll get a chance to get a lot of live work.”
Arizona will practice as a team for three weeks before kicking off its nine-game fall schedule on Oct. 17 when it welcomes Eastern Arizona and Glendale for the Fall Round Robin.
“The fall is an evaluation time to see where everyone is,” said Candrea. “We've gone back to the basics and we're working on the little things that it takes to be successful in this game. We've put a heavy emphasis on defense so far. Now we get a chance to integrate our individual work with some team work. We'll do a little more hitting and get a little more offense. I like where this team is right now. I think they're in a good place. I think they're driven to have a great year. Now it's just a matter of putting the words into action and doing it every day.”
UA welcomes back five offensive starters and nearly its entire pitching staff from a 2015 season in which it finished 41-20 overall and 13-11 in the Pac-12, good for third in the conference.
Infielder/catcher Lauren Young is the lone four-year senior on the team. Young, a three-year starter at third base, has seen time all over the infield as well as behind the plate this fall as Arizona prepares to replace 60% of its infield from a season ago.
“I'm excited to get going,” said Young. “It's my last fall season and I'm ready to get after it. It's a new year with a new group and I'm just happy to be back on this field.”
The Wildcats also welcome in a highly touted freshman class, headlined by three high school All-Americans: pitcher Taylor McQuillin (Mission Viejo, Calif.) was the 2014 National Gatorade Player of the Year, outfielder Alyssa Palomino (Mission Viejo, Calif.) holds the Orange County career home runs record (58) and pitcher Tamara Statman (Scottsdale, Ariz.) was the first pitcher in Arizona history to reach 1,000 career strikeouts (1,071) from 43 feet.
Catcher Hillary Edior (Los Angeles), infielder Joelle Krist (Petaluma, Calif.), outfielder Merrilee Miller (Tucson) and infielder Monica Pasillas (Redlands, Calif.) all have the tools to impact the team immediately as well.
“The freshmen have been good,” said Candrea. “They've been very stable. Their skillsets are good. Work ethic is good. They're going to be able to help us. That's what you hope for when you bring in a freshman class. Softball's a little different than other sports. You don't get the chance to redshirt kids and let them mature a little bit. But we have some kids that I think can come in here and help us out and have good years. We're excited.”
For further coverage of Arizona softball, visit www.ArizonaWildcats.com and be sure to follow the team on Twitter (@UA_Softball).
