Lauren Lappin, a former All-American at Stanford, has been by Caitlin Lowe’s side since the former Arizona softball star took over as head coach at her alma mater. Lappin’s loyalty is being rewarded with a promotion to associate head coach that was announced on Saturday morning.
Defense Under Lappin’s Guidance
On game days, Lappin can be seen coaching third base, where television commentators regularly mistake her for Lowe. On practice days, she’s in charge of one of the most critical pieces of Arizona’s game: defense. The Wildcats have had three straight seasons with a Gold Glove winner under Lappin’s guidance, including Allie Skaggs in 2023, Dakota Kennedy in 2024, and Devyn Netz in 2025.
The team led Division I with 46 double plays in 55 games in 2026, setting a program record for double plays in a season. Arizona finished the season with a .973 fielding percentage, with 39 errors ranking eighth in program history for fewest errors in a season.
Lappin played for Stanford from 2003-06 at shortstop and catcher, and was named Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year in 2005 and 2006. She continued her playing career as a professional and a member of the US national team, where she won a silver medal alongside Lowe, former UA head coach Mike Candrea, and former Wildcats Jennie Finch and Lovieanne Jung.
Lappin and pitching coach Christian Conrad will return to Lowe’s staff next year, along with a to-be-announced hitting coach. Former hitting coach Amber Freeman was announced as the new assistant for the two-time defending champion Texas Longhorns last week.
Original reporting: Arizona Desert Swarm (Tucson Sports) — read the source article.
