Photos: Best images from ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats' 2018 softball season
The ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats softball team wrapped up their season after getting swept by UCLA in a best-of-three series. In Mike Candrea's 33rd season at the helm, UA finished 43-16 and will graduate just three seniors.Â
Check out the best photos from the action during the 2018 season. All photos were taken by ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ photographers.Â
Oregon State at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ softball
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s Ivy Davis (14) comes home to a celebration after hitting a walk off grand slam to end the game against Oregon State 9-1in the bottom of the sixth inning at Hillenbrand Stadium in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, AZ., on April 29, 2018
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State softball
Alyssa Palomino (32) of the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats is dunked with a Gatorade bath following the Wildcats' 4-2 win against the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State Sun Devils at Farrington Softball Stadium on Sunday, April 22, 2018 in Tempe, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs Mississippi State
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s Ivy Davis slides around Mississippi State catcher Mia Davidson as she scores Sunday in the second inning of their NCAA regional game at Hillenbrand Stadium. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ won 4-3 and heads to the Super Regionals in Los Angeles with the victory.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs Mississippi State
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ players visit the fans after winning their NCAA ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Regional Softball Finals game against Mississippi State.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs Mississippi State
“It was a wonderful day,†said UA coach Mike Candrea of his team’s last home game before Hillenbrand gets a face lift.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs Mississippi State
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s Ivy Davis finds her way around catcher Mia Davidson to score one of the Wildcats’ three runs in the second inning of their victory over visiting Mississippi State.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs Mississippi State
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ pitcher Taylor McQuillin, back, celebrates with outfielder Ashleigh Hughes following Sunday’s win. McQuillin didn’t allow a hit and walked only one in pitching the final 5º innings of UA’s 4-3 victory.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs Mississippi State
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s Dejah Mulipola beats a throw to second baseman Calyn Adams from the outfield for a double during the third inning of the Wildcats’ 4-3 win over Mississippi State.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs Mississippi State
McQuillin leaves the field after earning the win in relief Sunday. She entered after Alyssa Denham had allowed three solo home runs.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State softball
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s Hannah Martinez (2) and teammates put on their rally caps in the top of the seventh inning against ASU at ASU Farrington Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. on April 20, 2018.
University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs North Dakota State
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ starting pitcher Taylor McQuillin, right, gets her high-fives after a tossing a complete-game, two-hit shutout against North Dakota State in their NCAA Regional on Saturday. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ can advance with a win at Hillenbrand Stadium on Sunday.
University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs North Dakota State
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s Jenna Kean slides in for a double as the throw eludes North Dakota State’s Montana DeCamp. Kean, a freshman, went 4 for 4 at the plate Saturday and scored two runs in the Wildcats’ NCAA Regional win over the Bison.
University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs Saint Francis
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ infielder Jessie Harper grabs her helmet in preparation for the celebrations at the plate after lacing a solo homer to left against Saint Francis in the fourth inning of their NCAA Regional at Hillenbrand Stadium on Friday night.
University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs Saint Francis
Starting pitcher Taylor McQuillin struck out eight in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s NCAA Regional win over Saint Francis on Friday night to earn her 28th victory of the season.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ WIldcats softball
UA takes on Saint Francis in the NCAA Regionals on Friday, when pitcher Taylor McQuillin will take on the Red Flash bats.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ WIldcats softball
Alyssa Denham preps for the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Regional, where the UA is also paired with Mississippi State and North Dakota State.
Oregon State at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ softball
Oregon State’s Michelle Sass comes up short trying to catch a foul ball in Sunday’s game against ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥. The Wildcats won 9-1 to finish off a three-game sweep of the Beavers.
Oregon State at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ softball
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s Jessie Harper just beats Oregon State second baseman Michelle Sass’ tag for a double in the third inning of UA’s victory.
Oregon State at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ softball
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s Ivy Davis (14)launches a grand slam shot to end the game against Oregon State 9-1 in the bottom of the sixth inning at Hillenbrand Stadium in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, AZ., on April 29, 2018
Oregon State at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ softball
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ starting pitcher Taylor McQuillin (18) went the distance in the win over Oregon State in their game at Hillenbrand Stadium in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, AZ., on April 29, 2018
Oregon State at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ softball
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ catcher Dejah Mulipola (8) makes the play to first base following Oregon State Michelle Sass' (4) short chopper during their game at Hillenbrand Stadium in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, AZ., on April 29, 2018
Oregon State at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ softball
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ shortstop Jessie Harper (19) turns back for a ball selected off the third baseman's glove during their game against Oregon State at Hillenbrand Stadium, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., on April 29, 2018 in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, AZ.
University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs Oregon State
An eerie moon rises over Hillenbrand in the early going of the University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s softball game against Oregon State, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., Saturday, April 28, 2018.
University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs Oregon State
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ third baseman Malia Martinez settles under a short pop-up Saturday for an out during the fourth inning of the Wildcats’ fifth straight win.
University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs Oregon State
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s Aleah Craighton tracks down a fly ball hit to the gap Saturday night at Hillenbrand Stadium. She hit a homer for the second straight day.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats vs. California Golden Bears college softball
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ pitcher Alyssa Denham (22), center, laughs with infielder Jessie Harper (19) after ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ sewed up the victory over the University of California Golden Bears college on March 31, 2018, at Hillenbrand Stadium in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ won 7-3.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats vs. California Golden Bears college softball
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ has been inspired by coach Mike Candrea’s geese metaphor — the birds fly further and stronger as a team — to make a run toward the postseason.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State softball
UA’s Taylor McQuillin struck out 10 and walked just one, but gave up a fourth-inning HR and a seventh-inning walk-off double.
University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs New Mexico State
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s Dejah Mulipola is one of three Wildcats with at least 10 home runs and leads the Pac-12 with 14.
University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs New Mexico State
Alyssa Denham pitches in a doubleheader against New Mexico State, when the UA snapped a six-game losing streak.
University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs New Mexico State
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s Ivy Davis (14) gets plunked in the back during at an bat against New Mexico St. to put two runners on in the fifth inning of their game at Hillenbrand Stadium, Wednesday, April 18, 2018, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz.
University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs New Mexico State
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ left fielder Carli Campbell comes dashing in to make a catch on a sinking liner in the fifth inning of the second game Wednesday. UA snapped a six-game losing streak by beating New Mexico State twice.
University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs New Mexico State
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ starting pitcher Taylor McQuillin (18) ducks out of the way of first baseman Alyssa Palomino (32) who makes the catch on a blooper by New Mexico St. batter Nikki Butler (11) to make the last out of the Wildcats 7-3 win in the first of two games at Hillenbrand Stadium, Wednesday, April 18, 2018, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz.
University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs Lousiana-Monroe
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ second baseman Reyna Carranco is hitting .367 with two homers and 21 RBIs this year. She’ll wear a facemask in the field for two more weeks as her nose continues to heal.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats vs. California Golden Bears college softball
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ right fielder Aleah Craighton (3) is congratulated by head coach Mike Candrea after she belted a solo homer to center during the second inning of the University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats vs. University of California Golden Bears college softball game on March 31, 2018, at Hillenbrand Stadium in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ won 7-3.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats vs. California Golden Bears college softball
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ infielder Malia Martinez (17) pivots and fires to nail Cal’s Taurie Pogueat first base during the fourth inning.
University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs Utah
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s Taylor McQuillin has become one of the nation’s top pitchers as a junior. She’s 16-1 with a 0.75 ERA and 136 strikeouts in 103 innings. She’ll face No. 1 Washington on Friday.
University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs South Dakota
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s Alyssa Palomino, center, uses the Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood song “Something Bad†to put her opposition on notice.
University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs Lousiana-Monroe
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ starter Alyssa Denham is 2-0 with a 0.37 ERA in three games so far this season. Overall, the Wildcats are 8-1 entering play at the Mary Nutter Classic in Palm Springs.
University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs Lousiana-Moroe
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s Reyna Carranco flashes the “WC†Wildcats hand signs as she trots home on her solo homer in Game 1.
University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs Lousiana-Moroe
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s Jessie Harper gets the traditional helmet pounding her fly ball to right cleared the fence for a two run homer against Louisiana-Monroe in the fifth inning of their game at Hillenbrand Stadium, Saturday, February 17, 2018, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz.
University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs Stanford
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ first baseman Jessie Harper (19) makes an over the shoulder grab along the fence in foul territory, running down a pop-fly by Stanford’s Victoria Molina in the fourth inning of their game at Hillenbrand Stadium, Saturday, April 8, 2017, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥
UA Softball
Alyssa Palomino will likely start at first base for ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥. She had surgery to repair a torn ACL in May and is “95 percent†recovered, coach Mike Candrea says.
UA Softball
Mike Candrea said the Cats ‘want to play some games’ after practicing against each other. The UA will face Northwestern and Oklahoma State on Friday.
Univeristy of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ softball
Ashleigh Hughes is expected to lead off for the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats this weekend at the Hillenbrand Invitational. She hit in the No. 9 hole for much of the 2017 season.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ UCLA Softball
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats infielder Malia Martinez (17) shares words with teammates pitcher Taylor McQuillin (18) and outfielder Alyssa Palomino (32) during an NCAA softball game between UCLA Bruins and ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats on Friday, May 25, 2018, at Easton Stadium in Los Angeles. UCLA won 3-2. (Photo by Ringo Chiu / ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥)
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ UCLA Softball
The ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats faught off several injuries en route to another postseason appearance, but fell short of advancing to the program’s first Women’s College World Series in eight seasons. UCLA ended the Wildcats’ season in the Super Regionals.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ UCLA Softball
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats utility Ashleigh Hughes (28) a fly ball during an NCAA softball game between UCLA Bruins and ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats on Friday, May 25, 2018, at Easton Stadium in Los Angeles. UCLA won 3-2. (Photo by Ringo Chiu / ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥)
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, UCLA Super Regionals Game 2
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats infielder Malia Martinez (17) hits the ball during an NCAA softball game between UCLA Bruins and ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats on Friday, May 25, 2018, at Easton Stadium in Los Angeles. UCLA won 3-2.Â
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, UCLA Super Regionals Game 2
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats utility Ashleigh Hughes (28) fails to hit the ball during an NCAA softball game between UCLA Bruins and ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats on Friday, May 25, 2018, at Easton Stadium in Los Angeles. UCLA won 3-2.Â
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, UCLA Super Regionals Game 2
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats celebrate after the first inning during an NCAA softball game between UCLA Bruins and ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats on Friday, May 25, 2018, at Easton Stadium in Los Angeles. UCLA won 3-2.Â
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, UCLA Super Regionals Game 2
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats starting pitcher Taylor McQuillin (18) throws the ball during an NCAA softball game between UCLA Bruins and ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats on Friday, May 25, 2018, at Easton Stadium in Los Angeles. UCLA won 3-2.Â
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, UCLA Super Regionals Game 2
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats infielder Reyna Carranco (5), celebrates with teammates infielder Jessie Harper (19) and outfielder Alyssa Palomino (32) during an NCAA softball game between UCLA Bruins and ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats on Friday, May 25, 2018, at Easton Stadium in Los Angeles. UCLA won 3-2.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, UCLA Super Regionals Game 2
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats starting pitcher Taylor McQuillin (18) throws the ball during an NCAA softball game between UCLA Bruins and ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats on Friday, May 25, 2018, at Easton Stadium in Los Angeles. UCLA won 3-2.Â
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, UCLA Super Regionals Game 2
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats outfielder Alyssa Palomino (32) celebrates after tagging out UCLA Bruins infielder Kylee Perez (8) during an NCAA softball game between UCLA Bruins and ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats on Friday, May 25, 2018, at Easton Stadium in Los Angeles. UCLA won 3-2.Â
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, UCLA Super Regionals Game 2
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats react after lost to UCLA Bruins during an NCAA softball game between UCLA Bruins and ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats on Friday, May 25, 2018, at Easton Stadium in Los Angeles. UCLA won 3-2.Â
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, UCLA Super Regionals Game 2
UCLA Bruins infielder Briana Perez (3) slides safely into the second base before ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats infielder Jessie Harper (19) catches the ball during an NCAA softball game between UCLA Bruins and ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats on Friday, May 25, 2018, at Easton Stadium in Los Angeles. UCLA won 3-2.Â
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ UCLA Softball
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats infielder Jessie Harper (19) slides into the second base before UCLA Bruins infielder Briana Perez (3) catches the ball during an NCAA softball game between UCLA Bruins and ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats on Thursday, May 24, 2018, at Easton Stadium in Los Angeles. UCLA won 7-1. (Photo by Ringo Chiu / ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥)
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ UCLA Softball
UCLA Bruins outfielder Aaliyah Jordan (23) slides safely into the third base before ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats infielder Malia Martinez (17) catches the ball during an NCAA softball game between UCLA Bruins and ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats on Thursday, May 24, 2018, at Easton Stadium in Los Angeles. UCLA won 7-1. (Photo by Ringo Chiu / ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥)
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