Caitlin Lowe
Caitlin Faith Lowe-Nagy (born February 6, 1985) is an American, former collegiate four-time First Team All-American and medal winning Olympian, retired three-time pro All-Star, left-handed hitting softball outfielder and current Assistant Coach originally from Tustin, California. She played for the University of Arizona Wildcats under head coach Mike Candrea and led her team in back-to-back NCAA Women's College World Series championships in 2006 and 2007. She won a silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics. Lowe played with National Pro Fastpitch's USSSA Pride for 6 seasons, winning three titles and being named 2012 Player of The Year, before officially retiring in 2015. She is one of select players in NCAA Division I history to have accumulated over 300 hits, 200 runs and 100 stolen bases while batting .400 in her career. Recently, she was only one of 3 named by both the fan vote and experts to the Greatest College Softball Team All-Time, in the outfield.[1]
Caitlin Lowe | |
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![]() Playing outfield in Altamonte Springs February 2008 | |
Born | |
Nationality | American |
Alma mater | University of Arizona |
Employer | US women's national softball team |
Known for | Professional Softball |
Height | 5 ft 8.5 in (1.74 m) |
Parent(s) | Dave and Dawn Lowe |
Website | triplethreatsoftball |
Medal record | ||
---|---|---|
Women's softball | ||
Representing ![]() | ||
Olympic Games | ||
![]() | 2008 Beijing | Team competition |
Pan American Games | ||
![]() | 2007 Rio de Janeiro | Team competition |
World Cup of Softball | ||
![]() | 2007 Oklahoma City | Team competition |
Early years
At Foothill High School in Tustin, California, Caitlin was selected as an All-American four years in a row, and helped lead her team to state and national championships in 2000. In addition, she led the school to league championships in 2001, 2002 and 2003. In 2001, she received the All-League and Foothill High School MVP Awards and in 2003, she received the Orange County "Player of the Year" Award.[2]
Arizona Wildcats
For her freshman season at the University of Arizona, Lowe earned First Team All-American status and was named the Pac-10 "Newcomer of The Year" and was a top-10 finalist for USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year.[3][4][5] She jumped into top-10 rankings in Wildcat history for her run and stolen base totals and posted career highs in doubles and base on balls; Lowe also led the conference in stolen bases.
The sophomore continued her success by earning all-season honors from both the NFCA and the Pac-10, including being named conference "Player of The Year."[6][7][8] Her career best season batting average still ranks second all-time and her hits total top-10 at Arizona (both topped the conference year), leading to a finalist spot for the Honda and USA Softball National Collegiate Player of The Year.[9] She also set career highs in home runs, triples and slugging percentage.
On February 26, she hit a career high four hits against the Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters in a 7-0 win.[10] The next month on March 27, Lowe would drive in four RBIs for another career high over the ULL Ragin’ Cajuns.[11]
Lowe was named 2006 First Team All-American and Pac-10 for a third consecutive year.[12][13][14] She posted another top-10 school record for her 33 stolen bases and was caught just twice that year while also achieving a high in RBIs and again leading the conference for stolen bases.
From February 25 through March 18, Lowe achieved a 15 consecutive game hit streak. She batted .510 (26/51) and had 12 RBIs, a home run, four triples and two doubles to accompany a slugging percentage of over .750%, eventually ended by Cat Osterman on March 19.[15] Starting in a doubleheader sweep of the Oregon Ducks on May 12, Lowe stole two bags in the games to begin a consecutive stolen bases streak that would reach into her senior season.[16]
The Wildcats made it into the Women's College World Series as the No. 2 seed and eventually trumped the Northwestern Wildcats in the finals, outscoring them a combined 13-0 over the two-game series; Lowe scored four of those runs. Lowe went 2/4 in the June 6 finale and was named to the All-Tournament Team scoring a then new series record 8 runs.[17]
For a final season Lowe was named All-American, all-conference and newly bestowed with the conference "Defensive Player of The Year" Award.[18][19][20] She also stole a career high, school season second best and Pac-10 leading 49 bags, being caught just once. Her resumed streak of consecutive stolen bases concluded on May 19 when the one time she was thrown out was by Chelsea Bramlett of Mississippi State Bulldogs.[21] To that point, Lowe had amassed 47 consecutive stolen bases and 54 overall for the NCAA ninth best streak all-time.[22]
Lowe and the Wildcats returned to defend their title at the 2007 WCWS. After riding the arm of tournament MVP Taryne Mowatt and escaping elimination through four games (three straight), Lowe won another National Championship defeating the Tennessee Lady Vols 5-0 on June 6. Lowe ended her career with a perfect day at the plate going 4/4 off USA Softball Collegiate Player of The Year Monica Abbott.[23] She was named All-Tournament hitting .345 with two RBIs and three doubles.
Lowe is the Wildcat’s career leader in stolen bases, second in batting average and top-10 in hits, triples and runs.[24] She ranks top-10 for all the same marks in the since renamed Pac-12, minus the triples.[25] At Arizona, she was known for her welcoming and volunteering nature and helped other student athletes become acclimated to college through Arizona’s Peer Athletic Leaders (PAL). Her senior year, Caitlin was awarded the inaugural Lowe’s Senior CLASS Softball Award, which acknowledges personal qualities that define a complete student athlete, such as excellence in the classroom, character and community, as well as success in athletic competition.[26] Lowe is one of only six Wildcat players to be named an NFCA All-American in each of her four years with the program and joined Leah Braatz (1994, 95, 97, 98) as the only player in Arizona history to be awarded first-team All-America all four years.[27]
Team USA
Caitlin began her national career in 2004 as a member of the USA Schutt Elite Team at the Canada and Champions Cups, where she scored a team-high 16 runs. In 2005, Caitlin joined the United States National Team and helped the team earn silver medals in the Japan and World Cups. She was one of the youngest members of the 2006 World Championship team. Caitlin also helped the team win the World Cup in 2006 and 2007, where she posted a team high 6 hits with three runs scored. She earned a gold medal at the 2007 Pan American games, and that season tied for the most hits, a team high with two triples and scored 21 runs, the second best on the team. That year, Caitlin’s impressive base running and speed also earned her a perfect 9 stolen bases in 9 attempts.
Caitlin Lowe has been a member of the U.S. Women's National Softball Team since 2005. USA Softball Head Coach Mike Candrea says, "She's all out all the time and plays the game like a giant."[28]
Leading up the 2008 Olympics, Lowe hit .455 on the Bound 4 Beijing Tour and was tied leading the team in triples, second in stolen bases and had a perfect fielding percentage. At the Games, Lowe began her tournament with a 3/4 effort in a run-rule of Venezuela, including hitting the first-ever inside-the-park home run in Games history.[29] On August 20, Lowe and Team USA went extra innings in the semifinals vs. Japan and she hit the RBI single to take the lead before scoring on Crystl Bustos' winning three-run homer.[30] She had two hits in the gold medal game but made the last out in the 3-1 loss.[31] Lowe was tied in at-bats for the tournament and hit .357 overall.
National Pro Fastpitch
Lowe played her first two seasons in limited action but was later named All-NPF from 2012–2014, including nabbing the Player of The Year and Diamond Spikes Awards in 2012.[32][33][34] In 2012, she also led the league in batting average with a career best and set a personal best with four hits on August 25 vs. the Akron Racers.[35] She had a hit in the championship finale, though her team was bested by the Chicago Bandits.[36] The Pride also made it to the Cowles Cup Championship every other year of her career, winning titles in 2010, 2013–2014, Lowe playing in all except 2009–2010.[37][38][39] On August 8, 2013, Lowe set another career high with 3 RBIs in a victory over the NY NJ Comets.[40] She played her last season setting a career high in doubles. She also had a career best 22 consecutive game hit streak from July 13-August 16: .408 (31/76) with 7 RBIs and 7 doubles, slugging .500%.[41]
Lowe announced her retirement as a player after the 2014 season. Subsequently, the Pride announced the Lowe would be inducted into the USSSA Hall of Fame, and that her jersey number 26 would be retired.[42]
Personal life
She graduated from the University of Arizona in the fall of 2007 with a degree in psychology and a minor in communications. Lowe comes from an athletic family. She is the daughter of Dave and Dawn Lowe and has a brother Tanner and three sisters Whitney, Paige, and McKenna Lowe. Paige and McKenna are part of the Oregon State University softball team. Four-time Wildcat All-American Caitlin Lowe has returned and joined the coaching staff as the team’s volunteer assistant coach in 2013 after serving as the program’s director of operations in 2012. Lowe will be working with the slappers, the outfielders and base running.[27] Lowe retired officially from softball in 2015.[43]
Statistics
Arizona Wildcats
YEAR | G | AB | R | H | BA | RBI | HR | 3B | 2B | TB | SLG | BB | SO | SB | SBA |
2004 | 61 | 190 | 76 | 83 | .437 | 25 | 4 | 1 | 9 | 106 | .558% | 29 | 20 | 47 | 50 |
2005 | 57 | 196 | 57 | 100 | .510 | 25 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 125 | .637% | 20 | 20 | 27 | 30 |
2006 | 56 | 186 | 52 | 79 | .424 | 27 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 101 | .543% | 17 | 21 | 33 | 35 |
2007 | 64 | 215 | 57 | 89 | .414 | 24 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 103 | .479% | 15 | 25 | 49 | 50 |
TOTALS | 238 | 787 | 242 | 351 | .446 | 101 | 12 | 12 | 24 | 435 | .552% | 81 | 86 | 156 | 165 |
Team USA
YEAR | AB | R | H | BA | RBI | HR | 3B | 2B | TB | SLG | BB | SO | SB | SBA |
2008 | 239 | 91 | 106 | .443 | 47 | 7 | 6 | 12 | 151 | .632% | 16 | 19 | 17 | 19 |
NPF USSSA Pride
YEAR | AB | R | H | BA | RBI | HR | 3B | 2B | TB | SLG | BB | SO | SB |
2009 | 46 | 6 | 10 | .217 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .217% | 2 | 10 | 3 |
2010 | 38 | 9 | 14 | .368 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 17 | .447% | 1 | 5 | 1 |
2011 | 105 | 17 | 31 | .295 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 34 | .324% | 5 | 13 | 6 |
2012 | 130 | 36 | 59 | .454 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 67 | .515% | 12 | 14 | 14 |
2013 | 180 | 40 | 60 | .333 | 23 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 65 | .361% | 13 | 25 | 17 |
2014 | 155 | 31 | 55 | .355 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 63 | .406% | 6 | 16 | 6 |
TOTALS | 654 | 139 | 229 | .350 | 61 | 0 | 1 | 27 | 256 | .391% | 39 | 83 | 47 |
Awards & Championships
Year | Team | Championship/Medal |
---|---|---|
2001–2003 | Foothills High School | National Champion |
2000 | All-CIF | Second Team |
2001 | Foothill High School Softball Team | MVP |
2001 | All-League | MVP |
2002 | ASA U-18 Gordon's Panthers | Gold Runner-Up |
2001–2003 | League Championship | Champion |
2003 | Orange County | Player of the Year |
2003 | All-League | First Team |
2003 | All-County | First Team |
2003 | All-State | First Team |
2003 | All-CIF | First Team |
2003 | All-American | First Team |
2003 | USA Softball | Player of the Week |
2003 | All Pac | First Team |
2003 | Pacific Region | First Team |
2003 | Pac 10 | Newcomer of the Year |
2003 | USA Softball | Top 10 Finalist for Player of the Year |
2004 | USA Schutt Elite Team | Canada Cup |
2004 | USA Schutt Elite Team | Champions Cup |
2004 | USA Softball | Top 3 Finalist for Player of the Year |
2004 | All-PAC 10 | First Team |
2004 | All Pacific Regions | Honors |
2004 | All-American | First Team |
2004 | World Cup | Silver Medalist |
2005 | Japan Cup | Silver Medalist |
2005 | All-PAC 10 | First Team |
2005 | All Pacific Regions | Honors |
2005 | USA Softball | Top 10 Finalist for Player of the Year |
2005 | All-American | First Team |
2005 | All-Women's College World Series Team Selection | |
2006 | NCAA National Championship | Champion |
2007 | All-American | First Team |
2007 | All-PAC 10 | First Team |
2007 | PAC-10 Conference | Player of the Year |
2007 | Lowe's | Senior CLASS Award |
2007 | NCAA National Championship | Champion |
2007 | Canada Cup | Champion |
2007 | World Cup | Champion |
2007 | Pan-American Games | Champion |
2008 | Olympics | Silver Medalist |
References
- "Lauren Chamberlain, Jessica Mendoza Voted to ESPN's Greatest All-Time College Softball Team". Espn.com. Retrieved 2020-07-07.
- "Player Bio: Caitlin Lowe – ARIZONA OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE". Archived from the original on 2008-12-01. Retrieved 2009-11-04.
- "2004 Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division I All-America Teams". Nfca.org. Retrieved 2015-03-02.
- "Four Cats Earn All-America Honors". Arizonawildcats.com. 2004-05-27. Retrieved 2015-03-02.
- "Alicia Hollowell And Caitlin Lowe Named Pac-10 Pitcher And Player of The Year". Arizonawildcats.com. 2004-05-19. Retrieved 2015-03-02.
- "2005 Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division I All-America Teams". Nfca.org. Retrieved 2015-03-02.
- "Three Cats Earn All-America Honors". Arizonawildcats.com. 2005-06-02. Retrieved 2015-03-02.
- "Lowe Earns League Co-Player of The Year Honor". Arizonawildcats.com. 2005-05-18. Retrieved 2015-03-02.
- "Lowe A Finalist For Player of The Year". Arizonawildcats.com. 2005-05-31. Retrieved 2015-03-02.
- "Hollowell No-Hits Louisiana Tech At Waco Softball Tournament". Arizonawildcats.com. 2005-02-27. Retrieved 2015-03-02.
- "Arizona Softball's Bats Smash Rajin' Cajuns". Arizonawildcats.com. 2005-03-28. Retrieved 2015-03-02.
- "2006 Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division I All-Americans". Nfca.org. Retrieved 2015-03-02.
- "Lowe, Fox And Hollowell: All-Americans Again". Arizonawildcats.com. 2006-05-31. Retrieved 2015-03-02.
- "Four Cats Named All-Pac-10, All-Region". Arizonawildcats.com. 2006-05-17. Retrieved 2015-03-02.
- "No. 1 Arizona Falls To No. 4 Texas, 1-0, in Nine Innings". Arizonawildcats.com. 2006-03-19. Retrieved 2015-03-02.
- "Cats Sweep Ducks in Twin-Bill". Arizonawildcats.com. 2006-05-12. Retrieved 2015-03-02.
- "National Champions!". Arizonawildcats.com. 2006-06-07. Retrieved 2015-03-02.
- "2007 Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division I All-America Teams". Nfca.org. Retrieved 2015-03-04.
- "Lowe, Mowatt Named All-Americans". Arizonawildcats.com. 2007-05-31. Retrieved 2015-03-04.
- "Cats Rake in All-Pac-10 Honors". Arizonawildcats.com. 2007-05-16. Retrieved 2015-03-04.
- "Softball Advances To Regional Final With 8-0 Win". Arizonawildcats.com. 2007-05-20. Retrieved 2015-03-04.
- [fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/SB_Records/2020/D1.pdf "Division I Records"] Check
|url=
value (help) (PDF). Ncaa.org. Retrieved 2020-07-07. - "Cats Whip Vols For Eighth NCAA Title". Arizonawildcats.com. 2007-06-06. Retrieved 2015-03-04.
- "Arizona Softball Record Book" (PDF). Arizonawildcats.com. Retrieved 2020-07-07.
- "Pac 12 Conference 2020 Softball Media Guide". E-digitaleditions.com. Retrieved 2010-07-07.
- "SOFTBALL LOWE'S SENIOR CLASS AWARD WINNER". May 28, 2007. Retrieved 2009-11-04.
- "Caitlin Lowe". University of Arizona. Archived from the original on 2013-10-06. Retrieved 17 October 2013.
- "Axiom Sports & Entertainment". Archived from the original on 2009-07-19. Retrieved 2009-11-04.
- "Game One US vs Venezuela". Teamusa.org. Retrieved 2015-03-08.
- "Game Eight US vs Japan". Teamusa.org. Retrieved 2015-03-08.
- "Gold Medal Game". Teamusa.org. Retrieved 2015-03-08.
- "2012 NPF Awards Banquet". Profastpitch.com. 2012-08-23. Retrieved 2015-03-08.
- "2013 NPF Awards Banquet Honors Season Performances". Profastpitch.com. 2013-08-21. Retrieved 2015-03-08.
- "2014 NPF Awards Banquet Honors Season Performances". Profastpitch.com. 2014-08-19. Retrieved 2015-03-08.
- "Pride battles back to defeat Racers in Game 5 and return to Championship Series Final, 9-7". Profastpitch.com. Retrieved 2020-07-07.
- "Chicago Bandits vs USSSA Pride: 2-1". Pointstreak.com. 2012-08-25. Retrieved 2015-03-08.
- "USSSA Florida Pride Win 2010 NPF Cowles Cup". Profastpitch.com. 2010-08-29. Retrieved 2015-03-08.
- "USSSA Pride Wins 2013 NPF Championship". Profastpitch.com. 2013-08-24. Retrieved 2015-03-08.
- "USSSA Pride Defeats The Akron Racers, 8–3, To Win Their Second Consecutive Cowles Cup". Profastpitch.com. 2014-08-23. Retrieved 2015-03-08.
- "Pride Defeat Comets 4-2, Sarah Pauly Gets 10 K's". Profastpitch.com. Retrieved 2020-07-07.
- "Caitlin Lowe Summer 2014". 805stats.com. Retrieved 2020-07-07.CS1 maint: location (link)
- Jami Lobpries (5 June 2015). "Caitlin Lowe's Legacy Continues with USSSA". USSSAPride.com. Archived from the original on 2015-07-23. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
- "Caitlin Lowe's Quiet Goodbye To The NPF". Usssapride.com. 2015-02-24. Archived from the original on 2015-02-28. Retrieved 2015-03-08.
External Links
- "Welcome to Triple Threat Softball". Retrieved 2009-11-04.
- Caitlin Lowe on Twitter
- 2006 NCAA Women's College World Series on YouTube
- 2007 NCAA Women's College World Series on YouTube
- Caitlin Lowe Discusses Her Path to Becoming a USA Softball Player on YouTube
- Caitlin Lowe Inside the Park Homerun on Throwing Error on YouTube