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Hi Wildcat Fans!
We are back! We played our first fives game of the season in the Mike Candrea Classic beginning with a game against Long Beach State on Thursday. It was so much fun from the start. We won 9-1 in five innings. Devyn Netz started for us in the circle and dominated. She is locked in, has so much trust in her pitches and her defense. Even if she gives up a hit or a run she knows she can come back the next pitch. Breezy Hardy came in relief for Dev in the 5th and threw really well. She found the zone and started attacking it, getting 3 hitters to roll over to end the game. Our team started and ended the weekend with a ton of energy. Our offense came out hot from the start against Long Beach State, scoring 5 runs in the first inning.
@ArizonaSoftball senior catcher @izzy_pacho after the sweep of the Candrea Classic.
Izzy is also an @AllSportsTucson contributor when she isn’t killing it on the softball field. pic.twitter.com/fwNjQob5hv
— Lori Burkhart (@loriburkhart) February 12, 2023
We have a young team with so much talent and potential. Our lineup is not set in stone. It can change depending on who is hot and takes advantage of opportunities. Our returners had a great start and I was so excited to see our newbies execute and help us win. Liv DiNardo got her first hit of her career and it was a line drive to left field. Dakota Kennedy had three competitive at-bats and hit lasers right at people — the ball will find a hole and she will catch fire. Tay Biehl kept us grounded in the infield, made a couple of plays, and made her presence known as her first time in the uniform. The most important part of our team are the players who keep our energy rolling throughout the game. Soph Carroll, Kaiah Altmeyer, Ali Ashner, Logan Cole, Ali Blachard, Aissa Silva, and Sydney Somerndike played a huge role for us again this weekend and they were constantly locked in.
#BearDown | #OpeningWeekend pic.twitter.com/1A5GgHSdaO
— Arizona Softball (@ArizonaSoftball) February 12, 2023
I believe that whoever is in their role has a huge part in us being successful this year. We need each and every player on our team in order to win every single game this year. There is not a split between starters and nonstarters. We are one team and we each contribute to our success. At any given moment, anyone could be the starter and I know that no matter who it is they are going to compete and give it their all. I’ve said it once and I’ll keep saying it: I wish I could’ve spent all five years with this team. It is something special and I am so grateful to be a part of it. Our challenge as a team is to keep the energy going and continue to have productive at-bats.
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