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