Despite a successful run to the College World Series, Arizona Softball has seen several players transfer from the program, with Sharlize Palacios and Janelle Meoño being the latest.
Things are afoul in Tucson. Just weeks after getting hot and making an improbable run to the Women’s College World Series, Arizona Softball has seen a mass exodus of players leaving the program.
Making news on Friday evening, it was announced that big-time hitters, Sharlize Palacios and Janelle Meoño have entered the infamous transfer portal.
Two of the Arizona Wildcats' top softball players are entering the transfer portal, according to a report Friday night. https://t.co/MiR99Fl6ZJ
— Arizona Daily Star (@TucsonStar) July 2, 2022
This news is of course on the heels of the Wildcats losing Giulia Koutsoyanopulos to Tennessee, Amber Toven to Baylor, and Madi Elish to Purdue.
Keep in mind, that also doesn’t include Allie Enright or Jessie Fontes who entered the portal nearly a month ago.
Either way, strange things are happening, and the potential transfers of Sharlize Palacios and Janelle Meoño have people concerned for Arizona Softball.
The regular season was a bit of a disappointment last year as the Wildcats ended up tied for last place in the Pac-12. This despite returning many starters from a team that made the Women’s College World Series from the season prior.
However, luckily, the Wildcats did get hot at the right time this year, advancing past the Missouri Regional and the Mississippi State Super Regional, en route to clinching their 25th Women’s College World Series appearance.
Well, heading into 2023, it appears the Wildcats will have several questions to answer with its roster.
And with the recent transfers and portal entries, Arizona is returning just eight players for next season, and that doesn’t include the five incoming freshmen. So as of right now, things may be a little problematic, to say the least.
Beyond that, the Wildcats have not been aggressive, nor successful in attacking the portal for transfers, and the team is still in dire need of pitching.
The departures of Palacios and Meoño only further highlight the current depth issues the Wildcats are facing. Either way, head coach Caitlin Lowe has to figure out something quickly, otherwise, 2023 could be a tough year.