Arizona Softball advances to the Regional Finals

TUCSON, AZ – Arizona Softball (38-13, 12-10) stayed hot in the Tucson Regional Tournament, knocking off Ole Miss 12-6 to advance to the Regional Finals. 

It wasn’t quite the same dominant pitching performance as from the game before, but Arizona Softball still provided plenty of offense and did just enough to get the job done to advance to the Regional Finals of the NCAA Tournament.

Led by the offensive performances of Sharlize Palacios and Dejah Mulipola, the two combined for nine RBI’s on 5-7 hitting for the Cats en route to the Wildcats’ dominant, 12-6 victory.

Arizona Wildcats

Unlike the last game, Arizona got off to a hot start in this one, plating three runs in the first when Mulipola homered to right field to give the Wildcats the early, 3-0 lead.

Arizona would then explode for another five runs in the bottom of the second. Starting with a fielding error that would score Hannah Martinez, Palacios would then uncork one to center field with the bases loaded, scoring four runs for the Wildcats to make it 8-0.

Looking like this one was going to be a route, the Ole Miss bats then came alive as the Rebels began to knock Alyssa Denham around a little bit. Scoring two runs in the third, Ole Miss would then add another four runs in the fourth to cut Arizona’s lead to 8-6.

Needing a big response, Arizona would put this one away for good in the sixth as the Wildcats plated another four runs, led behind Mulipola’s second home run of the game, this time a two-run shot to left.

With the win by Arizona Softball, the Wildcats advance to the Regional Finals and will await the winner of Ole Miss versus Villanova or UMBC.

As the Wildcats advance to the Regional Final, their game is set for 5:00 PM on Sunday at Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium. Should Arizona lose that game for some reason, they will have a follow-up game right after.

Arizona’s game will most likely be televised on one of ESPN’s affiliate channels.