SALT LAKE CITY – Utah Softball dropped its series opener this evening to No. 5 Arizona, 13-0.
The Utes mustered just two hits and both went for extra bases.
Hailey Hilburn and
Ally Dickman hit ropes to center field for a double and triple, respectively, but were unable to score.
In the other dugout, Taylor McQuillan tossed a shutout, her third straight in conference play. Arizona has now thrown five consecutive shutouts in Pac-12 action and ran its opponent scoreless streak to 33 2/3 innings. Meanwhile, the offense has out-scored its foes 79-8 over 10 games and has hit 24 home runs.
Arizona struck in the second inning as Rylee Pierce's ground ball scored Tamara Statman and after a walk and single, Alyssa Palomino's sacrifice fly plated another run.
Pierce got UA on the score sheet again in the third with a RBI single and Hannah Martinez followed with a two-run homer.
Malia Martinez cleared the bases in the fourth with a double that scores three more 'Cats, pushing their lead to 8-0.
UA closed things out in the fifth with five more runs. A pair of walks and wild pitch allowed Reyna Carranco to pick up a RBI with a sac fly. Jessie Harper followed with her 20
th homer, tops in the nation, to get the score into double digits. After another walk, Malia Martinez's ninth homer closed the scoring.
The Utes and Wildcats are back in action at noon tomorrow for Diamond Club Appreciation Day
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