Photos: Former UA players pack stands, wear jerseys to support coach Mike Candrea at Women's College World Series
On what could be Mike Candrea's final day coaching the UA softball program, former Wildcats players showed their love. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ players spanning generations wore their home white jerseys to Saturday's Women's College World Series elimination game against Florida State in Oklahoma City.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ at the Women's College World Series
Lindsay Cunningham, former ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Softball player, looks for fellow alumni while entering the USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium before ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s softball game against Florida State on day three of the 2021 Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City on June 5, 2021.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ at the Women's College World Series
Nick Candrea, center, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Softball head coach Mike Candrea's brother, gives former players Hilary Edior, left, and Katiyana Mauga a big hug before ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s softball game against Florida State on day three of the 2021 Women's College World Series at the USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City on June 5, 2021.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ at the Women's College World Series
Former ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Softball players from left to right, Chrissy Alexander, Lindsay Cunningham and Erika Barnes point at their past World Series patches while taking a photo before ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s softball game against Florida State on day three of the 2021 Women's College World Series at the USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City on June 5, 2021.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ at the Women's College World Series
Nick Candrea, center, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ coach Mike Candrea's brother, talks to former ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ softball players as they pose for a group photo before ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s WCWS elimination game.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ at the Women's College World Series
Aerial Sakasegawa, former UA softball team manager, and former ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ softball players, from left to right, Katiyana Mauga, Hilary Editor, Kenzie Fowler, Erika Barnes, Chrissy Alexander and Lindsay Cunningham set up for a group photo before ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s softball game against Florida State on day three of the 2021 Women's College World Series at the USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City on June 5, 2021.
Do the numbers matter for Candrea? Sure they do. One Olympic gold medal, eight NCAA championships, 109 All-Americans and more victories than any coach in Division I softball history.
Mike Candrea is retiring as head coach of the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats after 36 years, and a former Wildcat will be replacing him.
The right-hander from Texas will start Saturday's elimination game between the 11th-seeded Wildcats and 10th-seeded Florida State.
The Wildcats were on the hunt for their ninth WCWS championship under Candrea, who is widely rumored to be retiring after 36 seasons at the UA.
In ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s first home game in two years, the Iowa Barnstormers spoiled Dixie Wooten's home debut as the Sugar Skulls head coach.Â
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ and notes from Oklahoma City, where the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats fell to Florida State in Saturday's elimination game.
The Star columnist examines the illustrious overseas careers of Tim Derksen and Terrell Stoglin. Plus, the latest — and notable — headlines from the Southern ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ sports scene.Â