Arizona had an impressive season, going 48-7 and winning the Pac-12 title for the first time in 10 years. Sunday, the Wildcats garnered the NCAA Tournament's No. 2 overall seed.
Monday, the Pac-12 honored Arizona accordingly. The Wildcats took home three major conference awards: third baseman Katiyana Mauga (co-Player of the Year), Danielle O'Toole (pitcher) and Mike Candrea (coach). Mauga shared her award with Utah's Hannah Flippen.
It had been a while since Arizona won those awards. It was Candrea's 11th Pac-12 honor, the last coming in 2007. Arizona last won player of the year in 2005 (Caitlin Lowe) and pitcher in 2004 (Alicia Hollowell). This is the first time in school history that the Wildcats won player, coach and pitcher of the year in the same season, though the pitcher's award wasn't introduced until 1999.
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Jessie Harper was considered a contender for freshman of the year but lost out to UCLA's Rachel Garcia.
The Wildcats also garnered nine All-Conference selections in total, including five on the first team. Here's who was selected:
- First team: Mauga, O'Toole, outfielder Mandie Perez, shortstop Mo Mercado, first baseman Jessie Harper.
- Second-team: pitcher Taylor McQuillin, outfielder Ashleigh Hughes, outfielder Alyssa Palomino.
- Third-team: second baseman Reyna Carranco.
Arizona also managed two All-Defensive team selections (O'Toole and Mercado) and four All-Freshman (Palomino, Harper, Carranco and catcher Dejah Mulipola).
