Softball Picked Third in Pac-12 Preseason Coaches Poll

TUCSON, Ariz. – Arizona Softball has been picked to finish third in the Pac-12 Preseason Coaches Poll, announced on Thursday by the conference. Arizona received 45 votes and one first-place vote in the poll. 
 
UCLA was picked as the conference favorite while Washington was picked to finish second. UCLA, Washington, and Arizona are all ranked in the top 10 of the NFCA Preseason Top 25.
 
Oregon was picked to tie the Wildcats for a third-place finish and Arizona State rounds out the top five. Stanford and Oregon State were picked to finish sixth and seventh, respectively. California was picked eighth and Utah was picked ninth.
 
The Wildcats return three All-Pac-12 players, including first team selections Janelle Meoño and Sharlize Palacios and second team honoree Hanah Bowen. Arizona is coming off a 41-15 season and their 24th trip to the WCWS.
 
Arizona begins the Caitlin Lowe era with the inaugural Candrea Classic at Hillenbrand Stadium on February 10-13. The Wildcats will face Southern Utah on Thursday, February 10 and Friday, February 11. Arizona will take on its first ranked opponent, No. 2 Alabama, on Saturday, February 12. The Cats will close out the Candrea Classic with New Mexico on Sunday, February 13.
 
PRESEASON PAC-12 COACHES POLL