It’s time for Wildcats new and old to take the field for fall practice games. For the first time, that preparation will include two intrasquad scrimmages beginning Friday, Oct. 9 at 6 p.m. MST. It could also include some surprises on the field.
Arizona will not only feature the players from its 2027 roster, but fans could also see some players from last season. Grad managers Sydney Stewart, Grace Jenkins, and Jalen Adams have all been cleared to practice with the team.
The Wildcats feature 11 new players
and 10 returners this season. The returning crew is headlined by senior Regan Shockey, who earned Big 12 co-Defensive Player of the Year and All-Big 12 first team honors last season. The group also includes All-Big 12 second team honorees Sereniti Trice and Tele Jennings. All-Freshman performers Rylie Holder and Kez Lucas are also back for their second season.
There are big shoes to fill, though. Stewart may be on the field to help her fellow Wildcats prepare, but her absence when spring rolls around will be felt. Last year’s Big 12 Player of the Year and batting champion was Arizona’s biggest bat last season. Jenkins and former shortstop Tayler Biehl were also first teamers. Adams was a second teamer.
The Wildcats brought in five freshmen and six transfers to help fill those holes. Softball America ranks the transfer class as the 10th best in the country. The freshman class
Adams was a workhorse for the Wildcats last year. Arizona could not have achieved what it did without her. The team will be searching for a new ace this year.
Holder is the top returner in wins (11), starts (16), ERA (4.79), WHIP (1.80), and innings pitched (98.0). The bullpen also features returners Jenae Berry and Sarah Wright.
The Wildcats will need someone else to emerge to help carry the pitching. The most likely are transfer Ryley Harrison and freshman Lilly Hauser, but Arizona is also banking on transfer Kylan Yoder. Hauser is the team’s top-ranked freshman according to Softball America, coming in with a recruiting ranking of 68.
There is competition for multiple defensive positions. Arizona lost its starting third baseman to transfer. Stewart has been the starting catcher for the past two years. Jenkins was last year’s right fielder. Biehl had patrolled short for most of her career. If Lucas moves to another position, that also leaves first base open.
Catcher will likely be handled by North Texas transfer Elizabeth Moffitt, although Lucas is now listed as a catcher, too. Arizona brought in late transfer Jaelyn Castillo at the position, as well. The local product from Salpointe Catholic spent her last two seasons at Utah State.
All of Arizona’s fall scrimmages are free to attend. The games will not be broadcast.
