Arizona Softball: Wildcats sweep the Utah Utes to begin Pac-12 Conference play
By David Rosen
The Arizona Wildcats Softball team swept the Utah Utes in three game series to begin Pac-12 Conference Play.
Sweep!!! The Arizona Wildcats Softball team made a statement early on in conference play at home with a three game sweep of the Utah Utes. They improve to an overall recorded of 24-3 and are at the top of the Pac-12 standings at 3-0 in . Even though this team loss a lot of firepower last season, it has not fazed them at all.
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After losing a tight game two days prior to the Minnesota Gophers 0-1 (in 8 innings) , the Wildcats bounced back in a tremendous way. They outscored the Utes 23-8 and out hit them 29-18. Pitching for the Wildcats was stellar by both Taylor McQuillin and Alyssa Denham, combining for a total of 15 strikeouts.
In game one, it was the Jessie Harper and McQuillin show. Harper it a three run homer and McQuillin pitched a complete game, only allowing one run, nine hits and faced 28 batters. The Wildcats would win game one 4-1.
The second game of the series, the Wildcats were down 4-3 after the second inning, but then their bats exploded in the fourth inning scoring five runs to take a 8-4 lead. Dejah Mulipola hit a two run homer straight away to center field, wow!
This two-run @dejahmulipola punctuates a five-run fourth for the Cats!
— Arizona Softball (@ArizonaSoftball) March 18, 2018
After 4:
Utah 4
Arizona 8 pic.twitter.com/AlNgfOMEqG
Denham pitched the first four innings to get the win and McQuillin closed it out in three innings to get the save. With this win, the Cats officially clinched the series with the opportunity for the good ol SWEEP!
In the third game of the series, the Wildcats were down 3-0 until the fourth inning. Multiple players hit singles and doubles, including Malia Martinez who had a double (would end up going 4-4 for the day) and Alyssa Palomino who had a double. Harper though would do it again, this time with two run homer straight away to center field, my goodness!
Well, this is one way to put the exclamation mark on a seven-run inning, @jesss_harperr.
— Arizona Softball (@ArizonaSoftball) March 18, 2018
After 4:
Utah 3
Arizona 7 pic.twitter.com/5m8HUA2H8x
McQuillin would end up pitching another complete game, only allowing 3 runs, one earned run, 7 strikeouts and only walked two. She would also earn her 16th win of the season by a score of 10-3.
The Wildcats are now 13-1 at home and are currently ranked at No.9 in the country. There are three others Pac-12 teams in the NCAA Division Softball Top 10 rankings, including the Washington Huskies who are currently ranked No.1.
Must Read: Arizona Basketball: Postgame thoughts after 2018 NCAA Tourney loss in Round 1
At Zona Zealots, we look forward to another exciting season of Wildcats softball. Last year they came up short, but this year will hopefully be the year they make a deeper run in the post season. Bear Down ladies!