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Arizona Softball Hires Alum Taryne Mowatt as Pitching Coach

By Peggy McClain

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 31: Mascot Wilbur the Wildcat gets the crowd going during the start of the Vizio Fiesta Bowl game between the Arizona Wildcats and Boise State Broncos at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 31, 2014 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 31: Mascot Wilbur the Wildcat gets the crowd going during the start of the Vizio Fiesta Bowl game between the Arizona Wildcats and Boise State Broncos at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 31, 2014 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images) /
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Arizona Softball head coach Mike Candrea made a dynamite hire Tuesday by naming former NCAA champion Taryne Mowatt as pitching coach.

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The last several years Stacy Iveson has been Arizona’s pitching coach, and we were able to witness her coaching talents this past season as Danielle O’Toole became one of the country’s premier pitchers. For family reasons, Iveson decided to step away from the field and took an administrative role with the team where she will focus on recruiting and operations.

Coach Candrea pursued Mowatt, who led the Wildcats to back to back 2006 and 2007 national championships, the last time Arizona won it all.

For the last two years, Mowatt has been the pitching coach at Ole Miss, and the team’s ERAs dropped from 4.30 in 2015 to 2.10 in 2017. The competition in the SEC provided Mowatt with great experience, but it’s fitting that she is returning to the real Conference of Champions, especially softball championships.

Last year’s No. 2 Wildcat pitcher, Taylor McQuillin, will be stepping into the top role this season since O’Toole graduated. A backup or two will need to be developed, and Mowatt will have a key role in this task. She also joins her teammate from that 2007 team, Caitlin Lowe, who is currently Arizona’s assistant softball coach.

In 2007, Arizona landed in the College World Series, but lost in the second round and had to plow through the loser’s bracket. The pitching staff wasn’t deep, so basically every inning fell on Taryne Mowatt’s shoulders. She was gritty and tuned out all those who said her arm would give out and Arizona could not win a championship with just one pitcher.

Instead, Mowatt set records. She recorded 60 innings pitched, 76 strikeouts, and eight complete games. Most importantly, she and her teammates brought home another trophy to Tucson by defeating Tennessee’s ace Monica Abbott.

Next: Another Day, Another Arizona Football Commit for 2018

Stacy Iveson is also a former Wildcat and played on Coach Candrea’s first four Arizona teams. She is originally from Tucson, having attended Catalina High. Her heart is in Tucson, and she bleeds red and blue. Having three former successful Wildcats on the staff under Mike Candrea will keep Arizona on track to head back to the promised land of Oklahoma City. Welcome home Taryne, and now you can Bear Down again!

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