Arizona Softball Reaches Super Regionals after Regional win

Another year, another regional victory for the Arizona Softball team, as the Wildcats advance to Super Regionals, after beating Mississippi State.

It’s that time of year again for the Arizona Softball team, as the stakes get higher each and every week for the Wildcats. Yes, we are in the midst of the College Softball postseason.

On Friday, the host Wildcats took on St. Francis University, with junior pitcher Taylor McQuillin on the mound.

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From first pitch, it was a battle. Arizona found themselves in a tough fight, and the visiting Red Flash wasn’t going to go quietly. Through the first three innings, it was back and forth, as both pitchers were dueling.

Still tied heading into the bottom of the fourth, that’s when things would get going for the Cats. With no one on and one out, Arizona’s Jessie Harper would drive a deep ball over the left field wall, giving the Cats the 1-0 lead.

Apparently, that’s all Arizona would need in this one as McQuillin was delivering a gem in this one. With every St. Francis hit, she had an answer, completely shutting the door on the Red Flash.

McQuillin would get the complete game shutout, surrendering no runs with just four hits, while striking out eight. Arizona would go on to win by a 1-0 final, with McQuillin improving her record to 26-10 on the year.

https://twitter.com/ArizonaSoftball/status/997723975831633920

Game two of the regionals would be a bit more action-packed for Arizona when the Wildcats took on North Dakota State. McQuillin would again get the start for the Cats, delivering an absolutely dominating performance.

Arizona would get things going early in this one when sophomore Dejah Mulipola would single down the left field line, scoring Ashleigh Hughes from second, giving Arizona the 1-0 lead.

Still, up 1-0 heading into the fourth, the Wildcats would extend their lead, when Reyna Carranco would fly out to the right, scoring Taryn Young, making it 2-0 Cats!

The Wildcats would break things open for good when they would add three more runs in the sixth inning. Carranco would again come up with a big RBI, this time singling to left field, scoring Jenna Kean.

With the bases loaded and just one out, the visiting Bisons would walk in an Arizona run. Not but a few batters later, another error by NDSU would score another run, giving the Wildcats a 5-0 lead!

Unfortunately, Arizona wasn’t able to capitalize again in that inning.

Still leading as they headed into the seventh, the Wildcats would add one more run, again, capitalizing on a mental breakdown committed by the Bison. Kean would score on an error by NDSU, making it 6-0 Arizona, ultimately giving the Wildcats the win!

That would wrap up game two for Arizona as the Cats now stood just one win away from advancing to the Super Regionals.

Looking to gain just one win on Sunday, the Wildcats would again turn to McQuillin for the start, this time against a talented, Mississippi State team.

Up against the ropes, desperately needing a win, the visiting Bulldogs came out swinging. MSU would add two runs in the first inning, putting the pressure on early in this one.

Arizona would respond quickly. Down 2-0, the very next inning, Arizona would load the bases with just one out. A subsequent walk by the Bulldogs would give the Cats an easy run, 2-1 MSU.

Bases still loaded, on the very next pitch, Hughes would single a ball to center field, scoring two runs, and giving the Wildcats a 3-2 lead.

Despite the timely and opportunistic hitting, the Wildcats were unable to score for the rest of the inning.

Unfortunately, that lead would not last long, as the Bulldogs would get the one-run back after an MSU home run.

The duel was on! For the next few innings, it was back and forth for the two clubs. Neither Arizona and MSU able to get anything going offensively.

Tied 3-3 heading into the fifth, that’s when the Wildcats would break this one open. First, Harper would single with one out to get things going. Mulipola would walk, putting runners on first and second, still with just one out.

That would set-up senior outfielder Aleah Craighton, who would single to left-center field, scoring Harper, and giving the Wildcats the 4-3 lead.

Arizona and McQuillin would shut the door on MSU for good in this one, holding on to the one-run lead, securing the 4-3 win, and advancing to the Super Regionals.

Arizona will advance to its 13th Super Regional in the last 14 seasons and will take on UCLA next weekend in a best two out of three.

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At Zona Zealots, we are proud of our ladies Battling and representing Arizona well in the regionals, and are excited to continue following them in the NCAA Tournament! Bear Down, Arizona!