Photos: New ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ softball coach Caitlin Lowe
Caitlin Lowe was named head coach of University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ softball, succeeding legendary coach Mike Candrea, who retired after 36 years.
Lowe was a UA softball letter-winner from 2004-07. She is a two-time national champion (2006 and 2007). She is second in batting average (.446), fourth in hits (351), fourth in triples (12), seventh in runs scored (242) and first in stolen bases (156).Â
Caitlin Lowe, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ softball
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ softball coach Caitlin Lowe smiles while talking with University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ President Robert C. Robbins (not pictured) after a press conference at McKale Center, 1721 E. Enke Dr., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on June 9, 2021.
Caitlin Lowe, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ softball
Former ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ coach Mike Candrea gives new ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ coach Caitlin Lowe a hug following a press conference at McKale Center, 1721 E. Enke Dr., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on June 9, 2021.
Caitlin Lowe, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ softball
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ softball coach Caitlin Lowe answers questions during Wednesday’s introductory news conference in McKale Center.
Caitlin Lowe, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ softball
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ coach Caitlin Lowe gives Erika Barnes, executive senior associate director of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Athletics, a hug following a press conference at McKale Center, 1721 E. Enke Dr., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on June 9, 2021. Lowe was recently named head coach following former ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Softball head coach Mike Candrea's retirement.
Caitlin Lowe, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ softball
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ softball coach Caitlin Lowe, left, and athletic director Dave Heeke pose for a photo with a Jersey for Lowe during a press conference at McKale Center, 1721 E. Enke Dr., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on June 9, 2021. Lowe was recently named head coach following former ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Softball head coach Mike Candrea's retirement.
Caitlin Lowe, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ softball
UA player Caitlin Lowe dives for a ball and gets it on one hop against Washington during the 2007 Women's College World Series.
Caitlin Lowe, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ softball
Caitlin Lowe makes contact with the ball during their College World Series game against DePaul in 2007.
Caitlin Lowe, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ softball
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s #33 Sam Banister, left, congratulates #26 Caitlin Lowe who scored on Kristie Fox's grand slam against LSU in 2006. The Wildcats won 14-5 to advance to the World Series.
Caitlin Lowe, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ softball
1/3 ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s Caitlin Lowe tries to catch a deep fly ball hit by Tennessee's Katherine Card during the 2006 Women's College World Series.
Caitlin Lowe, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ softball
2/3 ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s Caitlin Lowe tries to catch a deep fly ball hit by Tennessee's Katherine Card during the 2006 Women's College World Series.
Caitlin Lowe, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ softball
3/3 ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s Caitlin Lowe tries to catch a deep fly ball hit by Tennessee's Katherine Card during the 2006 Women's College World Series.
Caitlin Lowe, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ softball
UA players Sam Banister, Caitlin Lowe and Chelsie Mesa celebrate their win against Tennessee in the 2006 Women's College World Series.
Caitlin Lowe, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ softball
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s Caitlin Lowe comforts Jennifer Martinez after Martinez struck out against Texas with the bases loaded in the eleventh inning to end ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s run in 2005 Women's College World Series.
Caitlin Lowe, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ softball
Caitlin Lowe, hands in the air, celebrates after her teammate Danielle Rodriguez slides into home for the winning run in the 10th inning against Tennessee in the 2007 Women's College World Series.
Caitlin Lowe, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ softball
UA player Caitlin Lowe gets a hit during their game against Northwestern in the 2006 Women's College World Series.
Caitlin Lowe, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ softball
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ outfielder Caitlin Lowe hugs a teammate after the Cats win their seventh national softball title in 2006. Lowe, a junior from California, scored one of two runs in the fifth inning against Northwestern on Tuesday.
Caitlin Lowe, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ softball
Caitlin Lowe hugs her mom Dawn Lowe after ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ beat Tennessee in game 3 of the 2007 Women's College World Series.
Caitlin Lowe, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ softball
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ center fielder Caitlin Lowe leaps to make the grab on Ashley Muenz's drive in the fifth inning against ASU at Hillenbrand Stadium in 2007.
Caitlin Lowe, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ softball
Caitlin Lowe is caught trying to steal second base by Mississippi State's Chelsea Bramlett during the 2007 NCAA Softball Regional game held at Hillenbrand Stadium.
Caitlin Lowe, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ softball
University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ softball players Kristie Fox, Sam Banister, Taryne Mowatt, and Caitlin Lowe, right, sing "We Are the Champions" during a celebration at the McKale Center in 2006. The Wildcats beat Northwestern with a 5-0 win in Oklahoma City to win the 2006 Womens College World Series.
Caitlin Lowe, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ softball
Caitlin Lowe slides safely into home as Oklahoma State catcher Courtney Totte drops the ball for an error during the 2005 NCAA Softball Regional in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥. UA won 3-0.
Caitlin Lowe, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ softball
Caitlin Lowe is safe as she steals second base against Oregon State in 2007. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ won, 9-1.
Caitlin Lowe, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ softball
Team National Pro Fastpitch center fielder and former ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcat Caitlin Lowe skids to a stop after making a diving catch on Chelsea Goodacre's sinking liner in 2012.
Caitlin Lowe, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ softball
Center fielder Caitlin Lowe collides with the outfield wall after trying to make a catch in the 2007 NCAA Softball Super Regional against Cal State Fullerton. Lowe left the game with a bloody nose and did not return.
Caitlin Lowe, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ softball
Center fielder Caitlin Lowe falls to the ground after colliding with the outfield wall after trying to make a catch in the 2007 NCAA Softball Super Regional against Cal State Fullerton. Lowe left the game with a bloody nose and did not return.
Caitlin Lowe, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ softball
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s Kristie Fox holds a bag of ice on Caitlin Lowe's head after Lowe ran into the wall trying to make a catch in the 2007 Super Regional. Lowe returned to the bench but did not play the rest of the game.
Caitlin Lowe, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ softball
Caitlin Lowe holds a bag of ice on her nose after she hit the wall trying to make a catch during the 2007 NCAA Super Regional game against Cal State Fullerton.
Rick Wiley
Photo editor
Associate head coach Caitlin Lowe "has been a superstar her whole life," Mike Candrea says.
Mike Candrea's former players, fellow coaches and softball colleagues talk about the legacy ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s softball legend leaves behind.
Mike Candrea is retiring as head coach of the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats after 36 years, and a former Wildcat will be replacing him.
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Legendary UA softball coach Mike Candrea announced in June 2021 that he is retiring after 36 seasons and a record 24 Women's College World Ser…
Longtime associate head coach is "the right person for the job," AD Dave Heeke says. "She is going to be an outstanding coach."
Shields helped guide ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ to its best season in school history in 2021 with a program-best 21 wins and a first-ever appearance in the Sweet 16.Â