Arizona Softball drops series vs Stanford, postseason in jeopardy

TUCSON, AZ – After winning game one, Arizona Softball (33-20, 8-16) dropped their final two games of the series, falling to Stanford.

Entering this series fresh off of a disappointing series loss to last-placed Cal, Arizona Softball was looking to right the ship as they took on Stanford 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 Cardinal in the final two games.

Doomed by its inconsistent pitching, Arizona’s offense was inconsistent as well, plating 10 runs in the first game, but following up that performance by scoring three over its final two games.

Despite looking like a strong team to begin this series, Arizona Softball dropped their last two games, falling to Stanford at home for the first time.

Game 1:

Turning to Hanah Bowen in game one, the Wildcats’ hurler would pitch just three innings before being replaced by Madi Elish. Bowen would surrender a run on four hits; however, it was Elish who would struggle, surrendering five runs (three earned) on eight hits.

Luckily, even with the Wildcats surrendering six runs, the offense was white hot, plating two runs in the first and second innings before exploding for four more runs in the third. Arizona would cap things off by plating two more runs in the fourth inning to eventually cruise to the 10-6 win.

Arizona would be led offensively by Sophia Carroll, Allie Skaggs, and Sharlize Palacios as the trio went a combined 4-8 from the plate with eight RBIs.

Elish would pick up the win, improving to 8-3 on the season.

Game 2:

Hoping to maintain their hot play, Arizona would use Devyn Netz in game two of the three-game series. And from the start, things would be rough for Devyn. Pitching four-and-a-third innings, Netz would give up seven runs on 10 hits.

She would be replaced by Jessie Fontes who gave up three more runs (two earned) on three hits over the final two-thirds innings.

Offensively, Arizona wouldn’t have much brewing as the Wildcats were blanked, scoring zero runs on five hits.

The Wildcats would be run-ruled in this one, losing to Stanford 10-0 in just five innings played to drop game two.

Game 3:

Looking to salvage the series in game three, the Wildcats would turn to Bowen again. Pitching all seven innings for the Wildcats, Bowen wouldn’t have her best stuff; however, she was still fairly sharp, surrendering four runs (three earned) on six hits.

Offensively, Arizona would start slow, plating just one run through the first six innings as the Wildcats trailed 4-1 heading into the bottom of the seventh.

Arizona would make a valiant attempt at coming back, but despite the Wildcats plating two more runs in the seventh inning, it was too little too late for the Cats as Arizona fell by a 4-3 final, falling to Stanford at home for the first time.

Where does Arizona Softball go from here?

With the conclusion of the series, Arizona is now just 33-20 (8-16) on the year and will wait to learn their fate with the NCAA Tournament. It is unlikely the Wildcats will get an invite barring something drastic.