Arizona softball returns home to Hillenbrand Stadium this weekend to face rival Arizona State University in the third Pac-12 matchup of the 2019 season.
The Wildcats have absolutely dominated Pac-12 play so far, sweeping both the Oregon Ducks and Oregon State Beavers in consecutive weekends. Arizona outscored the Ducks 24-3 last week, including two 8-0 shutouts, while outscoring the Beavers 24-5 over the weekend. UA junior Jessie Harper homered four times over the weekend, with her 17 home runs putting her one behind Georgia’s Alyssa DiCarlo for the NCAA lead.
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ASU has been strong so far this season, coming in with a 25-8 record, including 5-1 in Pac-12 play. The Sun Devils are currently in the midst of a five-game win streak but have not fared well against their toughest competition, losing to Michigan, Florida and Oklahoma State. They were involved in a high scoring series against Utah this past week, scoring 45 runs across the three games.
Players to watch for this weekend include ASU’s Maddi Hackbarth, who was recently named to the Pac-12 Softball Players of the Week. The junior catcher hit five home runs in her series against Utah last week while going perfect in the field with no errors.
Arizona’s Alyssa Denham was also named to the Pac-12 Softball Players of the Week. The junior pitcher is coming off of throwing her first career no-hitter in a seven-inning shutout against Oregon State this past weekend to bring the ‘Cats to 24-7 on the season.
Arizona will look to improve to 9-0 in conference play after this week, as they will take the field starting Friday at 5 p.m.
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