CLEARWATER, FL – After falling to Mississippi State on Friday, No. 10 Arizona Softball (6-3) scored its first-ranked win, beating No. 8 Virginia Tech, 6-2!
We are just weeks into the 2023 Arizona Softball season, and already the Wildcats earned their first-ranked victory this year!
Taking part in the TaxAct Clearwater Invitational in Florida that features several Top 25 teams, the Wildcats were back in action on Saturday with a marquee matchup against No. 8 Virginia Tech.
Fresh off of a loss to their 2022 Super Regional foe Mississippi State, the Wildcats were hoping to get things back on track!
Turning to Devyn Netz who got the start on the bump for the Wildcats, the junior hurler was dealing on Saturday!
Lasting all seven innings, Netz surrendered just two runs (one earned) on three hits while striking out six Hokies batters.
Luckily, the Wildcats came alive early in this one, plating six runs on seven hits as Olivia DiNardo and Blaise Biringer went a combined 3-7 from the dish with four RBIs.
Both Blaise and Olivia belted home runs in this one!
Jumping out to a 1-0 lead in the fourth, Arizona Softball plated four runs in the seventh to come away with a convincing, 6-2 win!
It is not how you start, but rather how you finish! And boy, did Arizona Softball finish their game against No. 8 Virginia Tech in a big way.
Facing a pitchers duel early one, Arizona would be the first to strike when an Allie Skaggs double in the fourth inning broke the scoreless tie to make it 1-0 Cats.
Arizona would tack on one more in the fifth inning when a few, well-timed hits set up Kaiah Altmeyer to single to left field, scoring Ali Blanchard to make it 2-0, Arizona.
Unfortunately, Virginia Tech would get one back in the bottom of the fifth following a solo home run from Morgan Overaitis, but luckily, Arizona would get a bit of a cushion as the Wildcats exploded with four runs in the seventh inning.
Fueled by home runs from Blaise and Olivia, the Wildcats were steadily in control 6-1 heading into the bottom of the seventh.
Virginia Tech would get one more run, but it was too little too late as Arizona came away with the huge, 6-2 win!
TOP 10 TAKEDOWN
— Arizona Softball (@ArizonaSoftball) February 19, 2023
Final | Arizona 6, Virginia Tech 2 pic.twitter.com/z3Kfz6olSd
Where does Arizona Softball go from here?
With the win, Arizona improves to 6-3 on the year and will return to action on Sunday when they take on Indiana. First pitch is set for 10:00 AM MST!
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