TUCSON, Ariz. - After a successful fall season and short winter break, Arizona returned to Hillenbrand Stadium to hold its first practice of the New Year on Monday in preparation for the 2017 season.

A month away from the Feb. 9 season-opener against Fordham, the Wildcats took the field for some infield and outfield defense and took batting practice on the field. The on-field workout followed a morning endurance test in the Bill Estes Family Strength and Conditioning Center.

The Wildcats are poised to build off a 40-21 2016 season that saw UA earn its 11th trip to the NCAA Super Regionals in the last 12 years.

Arizona returns eight starters and all four pitchers from last season and welcomes in the nation's third-ranked recruiting class.

UA's eight seniors -- Nancy Bowling, Alexis Dotson, Michelle Floyd, Katiyana Mauga, Mo Mercado, Danielle O'Toole, Mandie Perez and Eva Watson -- went through their final first practice on Monday.

Also, seven freshmen took the field for their first-career spring practice on Monday. The seven new faces, two of whom made the U.S. Junior Women's National Training Team (Dejah Mulipola and Jessie Harper) and another who was invited to tryout for the U.S. National Team (Alyssa Palomino) will push Arizona's eight returning starters, making for a very competitive atmosphere at practice.

Today began a five-month grind for the Wildcats, who will practice six-days-per-week leading up to the season opener before commencing their 55-game regular season.

Up Next: Arizona opens up the 2017 season on Feb. 9, when the Wildcats host Fordham at 6 p.m. to kick off the Hillenbrand Invitational.

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