Devyn Netz is an All-American and Rylie Holder gets a nod in Texas
Three Arizona pitchers may have entered their names in the portal, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t good news on the pitching front. Redshirt senior Devyn Netz was named first team All-American by Softball America, and incoming freshman Rylie Holder got the MVP nod in her district.
BEST OF THE BEST!! Congratulations to Arizona signee Rylie Holder for being named the 24-3A DISTRICT MVP!! We’re so proud of you @RylieHolder14!! Cant wait for an exciting summer!!#betheimpact #trusttheprocess #goldblooded #igjackson18u pic.twitter.com/viP7VXNkhR
— Impact Gold Jackson 18U (@IG_Jackson18u) May 21, 2025
Netz may not have reached her goal of a national title at Arizona, but she will go down as one of the program greats. Her class was supposed to replace a large group of accomplished seniors, but the pandemic brought that group back.
Netz had to wait her turn, pitching just 21.1 innings and only getting five at-bats as a freshman. Players may not like to do that, but she looked at the bigger picture and bided her time while learning behind the talent Arizona had all over the field.
As a sophomore, the team looked to be on the ropes. Netz and fifth-year pitcher/infielder Hanah Bowen both struggled with injury, but they fought. The Wildcats snuck into the postseason, and their two pitchers got them to the Women’s College World Series for the third straight time.
During her junior year, she took one for a depleted pitching staff, throwing three times as many innings as anyone else and making 30 starts in 39 appearances. She played first base when teammate Carlie Scupin was out with a broken hand, and she hit most days.
Netz didn’t have a pretty ERA, and she ended with a .500 record, but she got her team into the bubble conversation before their 35-year postseason streak came to an end.
She sat out her true senior year with an injury, then rebounded with a vengeance as a redshirt senior. Her 2.25 ERA was the lowest of her career, while her 152.1 innings pitched were the second-highest. Her 22 wins were the most in her time at Arizona. She also had two saves.
In the batter’s box, she had career highs in average (.347), runs (41), hits (60), RBI (68), slugging percentage (.728), on-base percentage (.442), doubles (9), and home runs (19). One more home run would have made her the fifth player in NCAA softball history to have at least 20 pitching wins and 20 home runs.
Netz will move on to the professional ranks this summer when she plays for the Bandits. Next year, Holder will be in the Arizona bullpen helping to fill in for the departed All-American.
Holder was named the MVP for District 24-3A just days after being named one of 40 Alliance Fastpitch All-Stars.
Holder helped East Bernard High get to the regional finals of the 2025 UIL Texas 3A Division 2 Softball Championships. The Brahmas fell to Lexington in the rubber match of a three-game series on May 17. Holder gave up six runs, but only two were earned as the team committed three errors.
Lead photo by Ryan Kelapire