TUCSON, Ariz. – Dakota Kennedy and Regan Shockey earned unanimous selections to the Preseason All-Big 12 team and Arizona was picked to finish third in the Big 12 Preseason Coaches Poll, announced by the conference on Friday.
 
The Wildcats' third-place pick is the highest in a preseason poll since Arizona was picked to finish third in the 2022 Pac-12 Preseason Coaches Poll. Arizona advanced to the Women's College World Series for the third-straight season and 25th time in history in 2022.
 
Kennedy's selection to the Preseason All-Big 12 team is her second after earning a spot on the Preseason All-Pac-12 team last season. The left fielder is entering her junior season with a .380 career hitting percentage and 120 career hits. Last season, Kennedy led Arizona with 42 walks, a .688 slugging percentage, and recorded a 1.000 fielding percentage with 11 outfield assists to earn NFCA third-team All-America and Rawlings Gold Glove accolades.
 
Shockey is earning her first preseason all-conference honor entering her sophomore season. During her freshman campaign, the center fielder led the Wildcats with 80 hits, a .404 batting average, and eight stolen bases. Shockey earned NFCA All-Region and became Arizona's first freshman to earn four Pac-12 Freshman of the Week honors since 2015.
 
Kennedy and Shockey have been named to the USA Softball Player of the Year Watch List, the D1 Softball Top 100 list, and Softball America's Preseason College Top 100 rankings ahead of the 2025 season.
 
The Wildcats will open the 2025 season at Hillenbrand Stadium on February 6-9 with the fourth-annual Candrea Classic. Arizona will welcome Alabama, Michigan State, Washington, and Western Michigan for the tournament.
 
Season tickets, single-game tickets, and flex passes for the 2025 season are currently available and can be secured by clicking HERE or by calling (520) 621-CATS.