No. 7 Arizona Softball begins year with win over No. 19 Michigan

TAMPA, FL- No. 7 Arizona Softball (2-0) begins the 2019 season with a bang, as the Wildcats beat No. 19 Michigan and South Florida.

It’s been a long off-season, but finally after months of anticipation, the No. 7 Arizona Softball team returned to the pitch, looking as strong as ever.

All the way in Tampa, the Wildcats would get the 2019 season started with a big double-header, starting with a huge test against No. 19 Michigan.

Arizona Wildcats

Coming off a strong 2018 campaign, it was senior Taylor McQuillin that would take to the rubber for the Cats. McQuillin would start hot for the Cats, keeping the Wolverines’ offense at bay for much of the game.

Arizona would get things going early when the slugger Alyssa Palomino-Cardoza would bash a homer to right field to give the Wildcats the 1-0 lead.

Still up 1-0, junior infielder Jessie Harper would get things going early in the third inning, taking a walk to get on first. A well-timed hit and mistake by Michigan would eventually get her to third, where Harper would score on a double-play to make it 2-0.

Still in control 2-0, Michigan would get a run back in the sixth inning, when a couple well-timed hits would get the Wolverines back within one at 2-1.

That’s when Taylor would slam the door on the Wolverines, holding them to just four-hits all game, while delivering the 2-1 win for the Cats.

However, that’s not all the Wildcat action we would see on the day. Arizona would take to the field again to take on South Florida.

Not much would happen early on, but finally in the third inning is when the Wildcats would come to life. Tied 0-0, Palomino would hit a two-run jack to center field to make it 2-0. Two batters later, Harper would get in on the home run action, belting one to center field to make it 3-0.

With transfer Alyssa Denham pitching, the USF Bulls would get a run back in the bottom of the third to make it 3-1.

The Wildcats would add another run in the top of the seventh, when Harper would add another home run, this time blasting one to right field to help secure the 4-1 win.

Alyssa would finish the game throwing seven, great innings, surrendering three hits and one run, while striking out 11 opposing batters.

With the win, the Wildcats begin the year 2-0, and will return to the field on Saturday to take on Florida and Illinois State, finishing with North Carolina State on Sunday.

At Zona Zealots, we are excited for the return of Softball and can’t wait to see how the Cats perform this year! Bear Down, Arizona!