(Tucson, AZ) The first game for Arizona didn’t go as they planned, dropping the game to USF 4-1 in the official home opener for the Cats.
After a solid start from ace pitcher Taylor McQuillin in a losing effort, Arizona was looking to bounce back against the UIC Flames who held a record of 2-4.
UIC started off the game with a lead-off double putting the Flames in scoring position early. UIC scored off an RBI single with one out to take a 1-0 lead. Wildcat pitcher Alyssa Denham then settled down escaping out of the jam.
In the bottom half of the first inning the Wildcats got things going with a lead-off walk to centerfielder Alyssa Palomino-Cardoza followed by a base hit from second baseman Reyna Carranco. This gave the Cats an opprutintuy with runners in scoring position.
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Last game the Wildcats were 0-6 in such opportunities, but Arizona’s Jesse Harper would flip the script with a double that scored both runners giving the Arizona a 2-1 lead. The Cats added on a homerun from third baseman Malia Martinez that drove in three more runs for in what would went on to be a big inning ending and an 8-1 lead.
The UIC Flames looked to bounce back after a horrific bottom half of the first inning. Denham gave up a lead-off single putting a baserunner on for the Flames. Denham then struck out two batters in a row and forced the Flames into a groundout to third to end the inning.
The Wildcats wasted no time in their half of the 2nd putting runners in scoring position with no outs. Much like we saw early this season Arizona would strand two base runners in scoring position and came up empty.
In the top of the third Denham gave UIC fits, shutting them down with the Cats up 8-1.
Offense continued to roll for the Cats as Harper smashed her fifth home run on the season and gave Arizona a 10-1 lead headed to the top of the fourth inning.
Arizona improved in the runners in scoring position category going 4-11 through four innings in the second game.
In the top of the 4th Arizona made a pitching change taking out Denham and putting in freshman pitcher Marissa Schuld in her Hillenbrand debut. Schuld put together a scoreless inning striking out two of the three batters she faced. Schuld went on to close out the game racking up two more strikeouts.
The Cats run-ruled the UIC Flames in five innings breaking a two-game losing streak.
Arizona will be back in action Saturday facing #7 Alabama at 3:45 p.m. and New Mexico at 6 p.m.
Stay tuned for game updates tomorrow as game start times may change depending upon the game leading up to the Wildcats game in the Hillenbrand Invitational.
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