Arizona Softball team dominates at the Arizona Fall Invitational

The Arizona Wildcats Softball team kicked off the start of their 2017-18 season with the Arizona Fall Invitational in dominating fashion.

It’s October, and the Arizona Softball team did not waste any time getting those hits and runs. Picking up from where they left last season, finishing with a 52-9 record and a Super Regional appearance. The Wildcats are looking to go farther this season, they are looking to go all the way!

The Arizona Fall Invitational, which ran from October 6-8th at Hillenbrand stadium, included the following teams: Pima College, Central Arizona, Arizona Western, Scottsdale Community College, and Cypress. Wildcats played five games over the course of three days.

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Wildcats will have some big shoes to fill this season with the loss of eight seniors, which included Katiyana Mauga, Danielle O’Toole, and Mo Mercado. There will be nine freshmen joining the squad, sure to bring lots of excitement to the team this year. With the guidance of Coach Mike Candrea and coaching staff, the freshman and returners will have no problem finding their roles this year.

One of the key players returning this year will be junior right-hand pitcher Taylor McQuillin. Last year, she appeared in 20 games and went 16-4 with an ERA of 1.92 and had 159 strikeouts – that will get you some wins! Other key returners from last year’s team are Jessie Harper, Dejah Mulipola, Tamara Statman and Alyssa Palomino.

The power and efficiency these four bring, make the Wildcats a challenging team to strikeout. Talk about power, remember when Harper did this last year – WOW!

The Wildcats finished the Fall Invitational 5-0, outscored their opponents 66-2 and showed why they are going to be a contender this year for the Pac 12 championship and NCAA Softball Championship.

This is how it all went down.

Game One – Central Arizona

Mercy rule! If fans were wondering if the Wildcats could continue where they left off last season – they did! After a 1-2-3 first inning by McQuilllin, the Wildcats put on a show. They scored five at the bottom of the first, which included home runs by Mulipoa and freshman Malia Martinez. By the third inning, McQuillin already had seven strikeout and the Wildcats’ bats just exploded! They scored fives runs in the third and another four in the fourth  – 14 runs in five innings, WOW!! McQuillin would close out the game with another strikeout in the fifth and like that BALLGAME!! Wildcats win 14-0.

Game Two – Arizona Western

The second game of the invitational was much more competitive and closer than the first game for the Wildcats. They took the lead early on before junior Ashleigh Hughes hit a three-run homer to give the Cats a 5-0 lead and would go on to win 5-2. The highlight of this game would be from freshman sensation Hanah Bowen, who pitched a complete game and had 10 strikeouts! Must be something on that mound that gives these Wildcat pitchers this “special power” to strikeout!

Game Three – Cypress

Another game that ended in the 5th inning because the Wildcats’ bats just were on absolute fire! A combination of stellar pitching by McQuillin, who didn’t allow a run in four innings. The rest of the team had a total of 19 hits hits, which translated to 18 runs scored and ended up winning 18-0. That’s not a typo, that is the correct score. To put things in perspective, Harper had the only home run of the day, which brought in three runs. The rest were brought in by singles and doubles, led by center fielder Jenna Kean who was 3-3 and had two RBIs.

Game Four – Scottsdale Community College

Bring out the fire trucks, these ladies are on fire! Later that same day, the Wildcats took on Scottsdale Community College and continued where they left out. The final score of the game was 16-0. That’s just not fair! The Wildcats finished the game with 14 hits, and another solid pitching performance by Bowen. She faced 12 batters, struck out 5 and had four scoreless innings. On the offensive side, multiple Wildcats had multi-hit games and was too much for their opponent to handle, ending the game in five innings.

Game Five – Pima College

It’s outta here! Harper did not waste any time getting things going for the Wildcats in the final game for the Wildcats during the Arizona Fall Invitational. She hit a three-run home in the first, to give her a team a 3-0 lead. Several hits and RBI’s by Kean and Joelle Krist, increased the Wildcats lead to 8-0.  Later on more hits by Harper, Statman and Malia Martinez, gave the Wildcats more insurance runs. Wildcats go on to win 13-0!  Starting pitcher Bowen finished the game with two strikeouts, in two innings pitched and only allowed one hit.

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Fives games into the season and the Wildcats are already making a statement – you better bring it! There is still plenty of softball to be played, but if this past weekend is any indication of what to expect this season it’s going to one exciting ride!

Next up for the Wildcats:

Who: Eastern Arizona

When: 4pm PST

Where: Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium