2004 Softball Player Bios


By James Kelley
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Tuesday, February 3, 2004

Pitchers

Alicia Hollowell

Sophomore ðPitcher

After a freshman campaign that was arguably the best year ever for an Arizona pitcher, Hollowell will be the Wildcats' ace again. She had 40 wins and 394 strikeouts in 2003.











Wendy Allen

Senior ð Pitcher

The No. 2 hurler will likely remain Allen, but the 2002 Big Ten Player of the Year should have a better season. Allen had off-season surgery to help with her wrist tendonitis.











Catcher

Mackenzie Vandergeest

Senior ð Catcher

Vandergeest is No. 1 all time at the UA in putouts and led Arizona starters in fielding percentage (.994) last year. She also led the Wildcats in RBIs in the NCAA Tournament.












Infielders

Jackie Coburn

Junior ð Third Base

Coburn starts again at third after placing second on the team in home runs last year and enjoying a fielding percentage of .964. Coburn started every game last season.












Kristie Fox

Freshman ð Infield

Last year's California Player of the Year and starting SS for the 2003 U.S. Junior Olympic team will fill the big shoes of Lovie Jung, last year's leader in batting average, home runs and RBI.












Shelly Schultz

Senior ð Utility

Schultz, who also pitches and plays short, competes with Quintero for the spot vacated by departed senior Lisha Ribellia, a fixture at second for two-plus years.

Samantha Quintero

Senior ð Infield












Utility Players

Shelly Schultz

Senior ð Utility

A wash defensively, the starter will be decided by numbers at the plate. Schultz batted .270 last season. Allen hit .324, but Ray thinks she is more valuable in the field.

Wendy Allen

Senior ð P/Utility

Outfielders

Autumn Champion

Sophomore ð OF

Champion is coming off a stellar year in which she hit .513 from the leadoff spot, earning All-America honors. She also led the team and was fourth nationally with 89 hits, all singles.












Caitlin Lowe

Freshman ð OF

The talented true freshman and four-time high school All-American could wrestle the leadoff job away from Champion. She hit .500 for the Junior Olympic team in October.












Crystal Farley

junior ðOutfield












Candace Abrams

junior ð Outfield

After starting most of last season in center, Farley will likely move to right, but Abrams could unseat her. Last year, Farley hit .356 while Abrams hit .300.












Coaches

Larry Ray

Interim head coach

Ray, The 1998 SEC Coach of the Year, went 169-106 in four seasons at Florida. Evans, A former national player of the year as a Wildcat, has had her number retired and is considered one of the brightest young coaches in the game.

Janet Evans

Associate head coach