Arizona Softball Snags Four-Star OF Prospect

Over time, Arizona softball has had a tremendous amount and success thanks to the Mike Candrea era where the program turned into a national power and forever changed the game by winning eight national titles, making 25 Women’s College World Series and 37 NCAA Tournament appearances.

However, it is the players that make the program and the Wildcats have had 111 All-Americans in their rich history.

Nov 28, 2014; Tucson, AZ, USA; Detailed view of an Arizona State Sun Devils sticker over the logo of the Arizona Wildcats during the 88th annual territorial cup at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Now, under head coach Caitlin Lowe, Arizona had a highly successful 2025 season, going 48-13 in the inaugural season in the Big 12. The Wildcats finished second only behind Texas Tech, which made the National Championship Series and came within a game of winning the title.

Leading the way for Arizona was dual threat player Devyn Netz, who posted an ERA of 2.25 (career-high) winning 22 games in 152 ⅓ innings of work to go along with her 118 strikeouts.

Jun 3, 2022; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Arizona Wildcats head coach Caitlin Lowe talks to an umpire during the fifth inning of the NCAA Women's College World Series game against the Oregon State Beavers at USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium. Arizona won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-Imagn Images | Brett Rojo-Imagn Images

But that’s not all Netz did during the year. She was a monster at the plate, batting .347 in 173 at-bats and smacking 19 home runs while driving in 68 RBI on the year.

With the ability to pitch in the circle and get it done at the plate, Netz won the Big 12 Player of the Year Award and was named to the NFCA second-team All-American list.

Arizona four-star outfield commit Mattea Stern on her visit to Tucson | Mattea Stern's Instagram

Although the Wildcats were able to make the postseason and host a regional as the No. 13 overall seed hosting Ole Miss, Grand Canyon and Santa Clara, the Wildcats were unable to get out of their own regional.

Then, at the end of the season, Arizona and Lowe saw a mass exodus of players enter the transfer portal and leave the program, including most of its pitching staff and star outfielder Dakota Kennedy, joining other teams.

Now, the Wildcats and coach Lowe are trying to get things back on track and are working towards building up the 2027 recruiting class.

Arizona added to its already talented 2027 class with standout catcher Emma Anderson and outfielder Mattea Stern @emma2anderson | @ArizonaSoftball | @Go_Rout https://t.co/mVMo2ebDmP pic.twitter.com/Z6yman8urx
— Softball America (@SoftbalAmerica) September 17, 2025

Recently, the Wildcats and Lowe were able to land four-star outfielder Mattea Stern, who announced her decision on her Instagram account.

This makes the second four-star recruit Arizona and the coaching staff have landed in a span of 24 hours after the commitment from Stern and catcher Emma Anderson.

Arizona's Dakota Kennedy (4) makes a catch during the 2025 Phillips 66 Big 12 Softball Championship game between Arizona Wildcats and Texas Tech Red Raiders at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, Saturday, May, 10, 2025. | SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Stern comes from a strong tradition of great players from her travel ball team, the OC Batbusters, which has been a recruiting pipeline for the Wildcats over the last 30-plus years.

Right now, Stern sits as the No. 74 player nationally in her recruiting class and the No. 20 prospect in the state of California.

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