Arizona Softball wins game 3 avoids the sweep vs Cal

BERKELEY, CA – After dropping their first two games versus Cal, Arizona Softball (32-18, 7-14) was able to pick a much-needed win in game three. 

Entering this series winners of six straight games, Arizona Softball was looking to continue their hot streak as they took on Cal for an important three-game conference series.

But unfortunately, once again, Arizona looked like the inconsistent team we’ve grown accustomed to this season, as the Wildcats looked outmatched by the Golden Bears.

Doomed by its inconsistent pitching, Arizona’s offense sputtered as well, plating just eight runs in three games en route to the series loss.

Despite looking like a strong team entering this series, Arizona Softball lost a tough road series to Cal for the first time since 2013.

Game 1:

Turning to Hanah Bowen in game one, the Wildcats’ hurler would have a tough outing as she lasted just four innings, surrendering five runs on seven hits. She would then be replaced by Jessie Fontes who also was roughed up a bit as she surrendered two runs on three hits.

Unfortunately, it was the Wildcats’ offense that would struggle in this one. Despite Arizona’s struggles on the mound, the Wildcats would muster just one run, scoring their lone run in the sixth when Allie Skaggs homered to left center to make it 7-1. Arizona would go on to lose by a 7-1 final.

Game 2:

Hoping to turn things around in game two, Arizona would use Devyn Netz. And from the start, Devyn was solid, holding the Bears to zero runs through the first three innings.

Unfortunately, Cal would come alive in the fourth and fifth, plating all nine of their runs as Netz would be replaced by Madi Elish.

Once again, nothing was brewing for the offense as Arizona was held in check, scoring just two runs on five hits.

Game 3:

Looking to salvage the series in game three, the Wildcats would turn to Bowen in this one, but really, it was pitching by committee for Arizona here.

Bowen would get the start, lasting three-and-a-third before being replaced by Elish and eventually Netz, as together, the three held the Golden Bears to just two runs on five hits.

Elish would pick up the eventual win, improving to 7-3 on the year, while Netz would earn her third save on the season.

Offensively, Arizona would explode for four runs in the third inning, thanks in large part to home runs by Skaggs and Izzy Pacho to make it 4-0 Cats.

Cal would get two runs back in the fourth, but a one-run inning for Arizona in the fifth would make this one a bit out of reach for the Golden Bears as the Wildcats were able to come away with the 5-2 win.

Where does Arizona Baseball go from here?

With the conclusion of the series, Arizona is now just 32-18 (7-14) on the year and will return to action next weekend when they take on Stanford for a massive three-game series in Tucson. After that, regionals await, assuming the Wildcats get an invite.