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. Arizona players spanning generations wore their home white jerseys to Saturday's Women's College World Series elimination game against Florida State in Oklahoma City.
Arizona at the Women's College World Series
Lindsay Cunningham, former Arizona Softball player, looks for fellow alumni while entering the USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium before Arizona's softball game against Florida State on day three of the 2021 Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City on June 5, 2021.
Arizona at the Women's College World Series
Nick Candrea, center, Arizona Softball head coach Mike Candrea's brother, gives former players Hilary Edior, left, and Katiyana Mauga a big hug before Arizona'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.
Arizona at the Women's College World Series
Former Arizona 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 Arizona'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.
Arizona at the Women's College World Series
Nick Candrea, center, Arizona coach Mike Candrea's brother, talks to former Arizona softball players as they pose for a group photo before Arizona's WCWS elimination game.
Arizona at the Women's College World Series
Aerial Sakasegawa, former UA softball team manager, and former Arizona 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 Arizona'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 Arizona 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.
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News and notes from Oklahoma City, where the Arizona Wildcats fell to Florida State in Saturday's elimination game.
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