(Tucson, AZ) Having lost their first series of the year, Arizona was determined not to get swept on Senior Day.
Six Seniors wound up their careers with the Wildcats today, Hillary Edior, Joelle Krist, Taylor McQuillin, Rylee Pierce, Gina Snyderand Tamara Statman.
The Cats went with Taylor McQuillin to try to salvage the last game of the series. Washington went down quietly in the top of the first inning.
Needing a hot start, Arizona scored two runs in the home half of the first inning when Alyssa Palomino – Cardozo legged out an infield single and Jessie Harper followed with a home run to left field which was her sixtieth long ball of her career. Cats quickly up 2-0.
The Huskies got on the board in the top of the second inning with an RBI single and then SilentRain Espinoza jacked a McQuillin pitch over the center field wall for three more RBI and the Wildcats found themselves down 4-2.
McQuillin after the home run didn’t seem as sharp as she allowed a base hot to right center field and a walk to put two more runners on for the potent Husky offense. A soft line drove to Pierce got her out too the jam. Pierce started at second base for the injured Reyna Carranco.
In the top of the third inning with two outs, Palomino – Cardoza hit a hard ground ball single to left center field that was overrun by the Husky outfield finding it s way to the wall that scored two runs to tie up the game at 4-4.
Pitcher Gabbie Plain started for Washington but was taken out in the second inning after the Cats tied it up. Reliever Taran Alvelo came in to stem the tide.
Washington took the lead back in the top off the fourth when a ground ball up the middle got by McQuillin and was gloved by Harper who threw home and the runner appeared to be out but was called safe, Palomino – Cardozo then snapped a throw to third but the advancing runner was also called safe. Out of the dugout came Arizona Coach Mike Candrea yo disputé the call. Another single followed scoring the third run of the inning. Candrea pulled McQuillin in favor of Alyssa Denham.
With the Cats needing a offensive spark, Malia Martinez singled to left with one out, but was left stranded to wrap up the sixth inning.
After the top of the third inning where the Huskies regained the lead, there was little offense on either side.
Arizona went into the seventh inning down but hoping to at least tie. Carli Campbell was thrown out on a bang-bang play that both first base coach Mo Mercado and Candrea barked at the umpires. The next two Wildcats made outs to end the game and the first time Arizona has been sweep since the UCLA Bruins did it in 2018.
In the end according to Coach Candrea, “the team didn’t handle the pressure well enough.” Now its onward to play UCLA next weekend at their house which will heighten the pressure up a few more notches.
The Cats still should be in great shape to host a Regional and depending on the outcome of the UCLA series, a possible host for a Super Regional.
So the Wildcats limp out of the weekend with not only three straight losses, but an injury to one of their best hitters in Reyna Carranco who had injuries tío both her hands.
They say, “time will heal all wounds,” but this years team doesn’t have much time to wait around.
