Arizona

Devyn Netz and Arizona come out on top in pitchers’ duel against Texas Tech’s NiJaree Canady

Published

9 months ago

April 18, 2025

Devyn Netz and Arizona come out on top in pitchers’ duel against Texas Tech’s NiJaree Canady

Can Arizona win a pitchers’ duel against a top pitcher? That was the question on Thursday evening when the No. 12 Wildcats squared off against No. 14 Texas Tech and NiJaree Canady. The answer was a definitive, “Yes!”

“We needed to make a statement to ourselves a little bit, that we can play well in all facets,” said Arizona head coach Caitlin Lowe. “We can pitch well, we can play good defense, and we can get the timely hit when it matters. We got the timely hit when it mattered.”

Arizona defeated TTU by the score of 2-1 at Hillenbrand Stadium. Redshirt senior Devyn Netz got the win for the Wildcats and improved her record to 17-4. Canaday moved to 17-5 on the season with the loss.

All the scoring came in the first inning. Netz was right in the middle of that, too.

Miranda Stoddard got the start in the circle for Arizona. She had a bumpy first inning, giving up back-to-back singles to lead off. A fielder’s choice put runners on the corners with one out, and Lady Raider Alexa Langeliers drove in the runner from third.

On the positive side, the Wildcats got an out at second base in exchange for the run. That put Stoddard in a position to close the inning without allowing more damage. She accomplished that task and kept the Raiders’ lead at 1-0.

“Miranda was in an opening role so that Devyn could close, and that was the plan going in,” Lowe said. “And sometimes the plans work out; sometimes they don’t and we need to go to someone else. And at the same time, I think people would have been ready for a spot here or there, but we wanted the ball in Devyn’s hands at the end, and we were looking for Miranda to set the tone. And I think we were able to achieve both. Obviously, we want a cleaner first inning, but at the same time, we recovered really well and responded to them scoring.”

Arizona’s response came in the bottom of the inning. Canady retired the first two batters, but Kaiah Altmeyer started the two-out rally with a single. Netz drove in the Wildcats’ two runs with her 15th homer of the season.

“It was a rise ball, up and in, I think,” Netz said. “But honestly, I just felt like if I was just short to it and…just put the ball in play. Just make their defense work. That’s all I thought. And it kind of caught wind. It got a little lofty, and I think it really hit literally at the 200-foot mark. So honestly, she’s a great pitcher, and we have to tip our caps to her. She pitched a great game. We played a great game, as well.”

Altmeyer had a good day at the plate. She had one of Arizona’s four hits and was robbed of another one by a great play in centerfield.

“Nobody was trying to be too big,” Altmeyer said. “Just anything over the plate, get your best swing on it. Like Dev said, she’s a great pitcher, so we just weren’t thinking too much. Keeping it really simple. Short to the ball.”

It was the first time Netz had faced Canady. The players missed each other with injuries during their final two seasons in the Pac-12. Altmeyer was a little more prepared for what she would face.

“I think I got like two at-bats off her last year,” Altmeyer said. “She sat me down.”

Stoddard locked things down in the top of the second by sitting down the Raiders in order. She faced eight batters in two innings, then gave way to Netz in the top of the third. Stoddard allowed one earned run on three hits. She threw 24 pitches, including 15 strikes.

Netz controlled the next five innings. She also surrendered three hits but didn’t allow any runs. Two of the hits were singles. Twenty of her 67 pitches were balls.

Netz struck out five. Canady was the victim of two of those strikeouts. Neither Arizona pitcher allowed a walk.

Canady pitched a complete game for TTU, throwing 107 total pitches. She threw 63 strikes and 44 balls. She gave up two earned runs on five hits, two walks, a hit batter, and a wild pitch in six innings of work.

“I was very proud of the team all around tonight,” Lowe said. “I thought we even had opportunities to score more runs, and they made some really good plays.”

Arizona’s opportunities to tack on more runs started in the second inning. Designated player Emily Schepp led off the bottom of the second by getting hit by a pitch. Two straight popups left her still standing there with two outs.

Tayler Biehl’s double to right field wasn’t quite enough to get Schepp in from first. A great relay and a block of the plate by TTU catcher Victoria Valdez had the ball waiting for Schepp when she got home.

Regan Shockey’s one-out double and a two-out walk by Netz gave Arizona the chance to score in the third. Canady induced a ground ball to end the inning.

The Wildcats had another prime opportunity in the fifth when Dakota Kennedy hit a one-out triple. They failed to convert once again with the final out coming on Altmeyer’s fly that ended in the highlight-reel diving catch by centerfielder Mihyia Davis.

One inning later, Netz drew the leadoff walk, and pinch runner Zaedi Tagalog advanced to second on Canady’s wild pitch. The TTU pitcher got two of her seven strikeouts and a foulout to keep Tagalog on second base.

Texas Tech’s best opportunity to tie or take the lead came in the top of the fifth. Canady struck out to start the inning, but Netz allowed two singles to put the go-ahead run on first. A fielder’s choice and the second strikeout of the inning ended the danger. Arizona’s senior leader dismissed the final six TTU batters in order to preserve the win.

“Really can’t say enough about our pitching shutting down a good team, because that’s a very good team,” Lowe said. “And I thought Devyn looked her best at the end of the game, which feels great, too.”

Arizona will try to secure the series win on Friday at 5 p.m. MST.

Lead photo courtesy of Arizona Athletics

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Arizona

Arizona State Adds Mid-Season Game Changer: Euro Juniors Champion Albane Cachot

Published

6 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Press Room

Arizona State Adds Mid-Season Game Changer: Euro Juniors Champion Albane Cachot

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18-year-old Albane Cachot from Toulouse, France, has joined the Arizona State University women’s swimming and diving team mid-season. The Dauphins Toulouse OEC (the same club that produced Léon Marchand) product wasted no time adapting to short-course yards, winning the 50/100/200 free events in her first meet at the Mona Plummer Aquatic Center.

Cachot made a name for herself in 2024, when she won the 50 free (25.45), 100 free (54.65), 200 free (1:59.18), and 50 fly (26.57) at the French Junior Championships in April. Two months later, she finaled in all four events at the French Elite Championships, placing 10th in the 50 free (25.43), 5th in the 100 free (54.61), 4th in the 200 free (2:00.34), and 7th in the 50 fly (26.95).

In 2025, she represented France at both the European Junior Championships in Šamorín, Slovakia, and the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore. At Euro Juniors, she won gold in the women’s 100 free, clocking a lifetime-best 54.17. She also finished 7th in the 50 free (25.48) and 7th in the 200 free (2:00.46), and 5th in the 50 fly (26.51, a PB). Cachot swam on 3 of France’s relays at World Championships (women’s 4×100 free, mixed 4×100 free, and mixed 4×100 medley). She earned a bronze medal for her prelims role in France’s mixed 400 medley relay, and she joined Beryl Gastaldello, Marina Jehl, and Marie Wattel in the women’s 400 free relay final that placed 5th with a national record-breaking time of 3:34.62.

In her short-course yards debut on January 3 at the dual meet with Grand Canyon, Cachot put up a team-leading time in the 50 free (22.43). She ranks 3rd in the 200 free (1:46.38) behind Jordan Greber (1:45.14) and Grace Lindberg (1:45.43) and 4th in the 100 free (49.11) behind Greber (48.81), Shane Golland (48.98), and Gerda Szilagyi (49.05). Greber, Lindberg, and Golland achieved their times during the CSCAA Dual Challenges.

The CSCAA challenge meets was also where ASU notched their fastest relay times of the season so far. Without speculating as to what her flying start times might be, it is clear that even her flat start SCY times would have lowered the Sun Devils’ free relay times by a couple of tenths in the 4×50 and 4×100 and by 3 seconds in the 4×200. And her converted LCM times would have been of even greater value.

Best SCY times:

50 free – 22.43
100 free – 49.11
200 free – 1:46.38

Best LCM times (converted):

50 free – 25.31 (22.08)
100 free – 54.17 (47.36)
200 free – 1:59.18 (1:44.48)
50 fly – 26.51 (23.25)

Cachot is joining Arizona State’s class of 2029 with Alexia Sotomayor, Bella Scopel Tramontana, Cali Watts, Eleaunah Phillips, Jessie Carlson, Marley Lovick, and Ursula Ott. Avery Spade was also new this season, transferring in from Indiana.

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Arizona

Predicting Where Former Arizona State Star Lands

Published

18 hours ago

January 10, 2026

Press Room

Predicting Where Former Arizona State Star Lands

TEMPE — The Sam Leavitt saga has been one that has split the Arizona State fanbase.

While some have been steadfast in bringing up the contributions that the two-year star poured into the program, others have been emphatic in pointing out the optics of the exit appearing less-than-ideal in a point of critique.

Regardless, the Sun Devils have moved on – with Kentucky transfer Cutter Boley and Michigan transfer Mikey Keense being the two exterior options that were brought in to signify a new era.

Now, Leavitt continues to seek a new college home for what might be his last season of collegiate football – Arizona State on SI makes sense of it all below.

Confirmed Visits – LSU, Tennessee, Miami

Leavitt’s first visit came with Boley’s former school in Kentucky, but the Wildcats have seemingly moved on by signing Notre Dame transfer Kenny Minchey.

LSU has made sense as a destination in recent weeks, with the presence of Lane Kiffin and the ironic twist of Jayden Daniels going from Arizona State to winning a Heisman Trophy with the Tigers as points of focus. It wouldn’t be a shock to see Leavitt heavily consider the SEC power.

Tennessee reportedly attempted to pry Leavitt away from the Sun Devils last spring and failed. This time, they loom as a relative “sleeper” – the redshirt sophomore even spent two days in Knoxville. This is a situation that is “wait-and-see”, as the Volunteers are still waiting to see what comes of QB Joey Aguilar’s pitch to receive more eligibility.

Sep 26, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) celebrates win with wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (0) against the TCU Horned Frogs at Mountain America Stadium, Home of the ASU Sun Devils. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Reiner-Imagn Images | Jacob Reiner-Imagn Images

Miami is another spot that has made sense, as senior Carson Beck will be playing his final game of his collegiate career on January 19. No state income tax, the allure of joining Cam Ward and Beck as potential major risers on NFL draft boards, and playing for a storied program are all major drawing points.

Expected Visit – Oregon

Oregon is the complicated potential landing spot.

There is still a bit of uncertainty surrounding what Oregon’s Dante Moore decided to do pertaining to entering the 2026 draft, so the Ducks must stand pat until a firm decision is made.

It’s simple to see why an Oregon native would be drawn to play for what has become a storied franchise that now has a phenomenal track record of developing quarterbacks.

Verdict: Leavitt Lands With Oregon

There’s absolutely nothing firm about this prediction, but Oregon makes the most sense – with the caveat that Moore decides to go pro.

Read more on why the Arizona State men’s basketball team will exceed expectations in the 2025-26 season here, and on why the bright future of the football program isn’t dimmed by the loss to Arizona here.

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Arizona

Arizona’s Burries Shares Secret to Latest Scoring Outburst

Published

1 day ago

January 10, 2026

Press Room

Arizona’s Burries Shares Secret to Latest Scoring Outburst

The Arizona Wildcats dominated once again to push their record to 15-0 on the season, cruising to an easy 101-76 victory over Kansas State in their Big 12 home opener.

The Wildcats scored 100 points in a game for the third time this season, led by freshman guard Brayden Burries’ 28 points, and Motiejus Krivas’ 25 points. Burries is now up to 15.1 points per game on the season, which leads the #1-ranked Wildcats.

Dec 20, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Brayden Burries (5) against the San Diego State Aztecs during the Hall of Fame Series at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Secret to points production

Burries has been on a tear scoring the ball of late. After scoring in double-digits in just one of his first five games this season, Burries has scored in double-figures in each of his last 10 games, including five 20-point performances. His 28 points against Kansas State tied his highest point total of the season so far. After the game, Burries was asked about his recent flurry of scoring.

“I don’t think anything changed,” Burries said. “I think just getting used to the speed out there, the first few games, and I didn’t play guard as much like on the ball, and guarding point guards, so it’s all new to me. But, more games, more experience, I feel like I’m getting better with more experience honestly.”

“Honestly just going out there, and just hooping,” he added. “Trusting my teammates, and trusting the coaches and their gameplan, and they’re just helping me out.”

Jan 7, 2026; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Brayden Burries (5) high fives fans during the first half of the game against the Kansas State Wildcats at McKale Memorial Center. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images | Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images

Tommy Lloyd on Burries

Head coach Tommy Lloyd also spoke about his leading scorer’s recent performances, and how Burries is one of the more coachable players on the roster.

“Brayden’s a great player,” Lloyd said. “We’re fortunate to have him in our program. I mean, he’s a winner, he’s always won. He does just about everything in his life the right way, it’s a joy to coach him everyday, and it’s really fun to help him on his journey.”

“You can be pretty direct with him”, Lloyd added. “I told him, he’s a guy that I don’t want to coach by being confrontational with him, I think he’s too good of a kid and he’s really motivated. He doesn’t need that when I’m very direct with him. He’s got enough experience now, I think he’s really learning.”

Burries and the rest of the Wildcats will look to continue what has been a special season up to this point. The Wildcats have all the makings of a true National Championship contender, and their first two performances in Big 12 play show just that.

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