Arizona Softball Lands Four-Star Catcher for 2027 Class

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

I’m so excited to announce my commitment to the University of Arizona to further my academic and athletic career! Thank you @CaitlinLowe @lappin37 @A_Freeman9 @Christianconr15 for blessing me with this opportunity! A special thanks to Coach Marty, Coach Dena, and the ENTIRE CA… pic.twitter.com/aO6tKG8pNv
— Emma Anderson 2027 (@emma2anderson) September 14, 2025

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.

Recently, the Wildcats were able to land a four-star recruit in catcher Emma Anderson, who is out of Eaton, Colo. and is listed as the No. 1 player in the state.

“I’m so excited to announce my commitment to the University of Arizona to further my academic and athletic career! Thank you Caitlin Lowe, Lauren Lappin, Amber Freeman and Christian Conrad for blessing me with this opportunity,” said Anderson. “A special thanks to Coach Marty, Coach Dena, and the ENTIRE CA family. To my family, thank you for all the sacrifices you took to get me here. Next stop, Tucson!”

Arizona will be trying to not only get back into the postseason but develop talent to make a run to a WCWS appearance.

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