Devyn Netz had a huge impact on Arizona softball during her sophomore and junior seasons, but her redshirt senior year has been one for the ages. The Big 12 Player of the Year is in line for another major honor after being named one of 10 finalists for the 2025 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award on Wednesday morning.
Netz is one of five pitchers and three two-way players on the list. Her exceptional abilities in the circle, in the batter’s box, and at first base helped lead Arizona to a top 16 seed and the right to host regionals this year. It’s the first time the program has hosted regionals since 2021, the final year of retired head coach Mike Candrea’s tenure.
The final three candidates for the USA Softball award will be announced on May 19. The winner will be announced before the Women’s College World Series, which begins on May 29.
Wins above replacement (WAR) demonstrates the value Netz has brought to her team across the board. She ranks sixth in Division I with 7.89 WAR. That narrowly trails the 7.90 of Belmont’s Maya Johnson in fifth.
On offense, Netz is responsible for 42.12 offensive runs above replacement (oRAR) and 3.55 offensive wins above replacement (oWAR). Both rank second on the team and 132nd in the country.
Netz has hit 17 home runs this year, tying Sydney Stewart for the team high. She leads the team with 62 RBI. Her 1.156 OPS is third on the team among those with qualifying stats and fourth overall when considering Dakota Kennedy. Kennedy does not have qualifying stats due to an injury during nonconference play. She ranks third on the team with 56 hits.
Netz is one reason the pitching in the Tucson Regional is considered some of the best in the postseason. She has a 70 percent strike rate, tying for 11th among Division I pitchers who have thrown at least 150 pitches this season.
Five of her pitches rank in the top 25 for strike percentage when compared to others who have thrown that pitch at least 100 times. Her rise ball draws strikes 70.1 percent of the time, her drop, fastball, and changeup all go for strikes 70 percent of the time, and her screwball is thrown for strikes 69.5 percent of the time.
Her pitching runs above replacement (pRAR) come in at 46.30, while her pitching wins above replacement (pWAR) stand at 3.90. Both rank 20th in the country.
She has thrown a team-high 144.1 innings this season, posting a 2.04 ERA and .89 WHIP. Her ERA is second in the eight-pitcher bullpen. Her WHIP leads the staff by a considerable amount. Opposing batters hit .202 against her, which is the lowest among those with qualifying stats and second on the team behind Brooke Mannon’s .111.
Netz sports a pitching record of 22-5, leading the team in wins. She is the only pitcher on the staff to throw a complete game shutout, doing so four times this season. One of those outings was a perfect game during which she also hit a home run. She has thrown a team-high seven complete games.
Netz is the only active Wildcat to have played for both Candrea and current head coach Caitlin Lowe. She is one of only two Wildcats to have played in the Women’s College World Series, joining senior Paige Dimler. The Wildcats are trying to get back there this year for the first time since 2022.
Complete list of finalists
Jordy Bahl, P/UT, Nebraska
NiJaree Canady, P, Texas Tech
Bri Ellis, 1B, Arkansas
Kendra Falby, OF, Florida
Lyndsey Grein, P, Oregon
Cori McMillan, OF, Virginia Tech
Devyn Netz, P/INF, Arizona
Karlyn Pickens, P, Tennessee
Isa Torres, SS, Florida State
Jordan Woolery, 3B, UCLA
Lead photo by Ryan Kelapire