The No. 13 University of Arizona softball team (37-9, 14-7 Big 12) fell in their series against Texas Tech University (36-10, 16-2 Big 12). The Cats faced the Red Raiders at Hillenbrand Stadium in a three-day series from Thursday, April 17, to Saturday, April 19. Arizona started with a stellar 2-1 win and ended the series in two disappointing losses.
Day 1 – Arizona 2 vs. Texas Tech 1
Arizona’s first game against Texas Tech was led by Devyn Netz both on the mound and in the batter’s box.
Texas Tech would get on the board with a singular run off an RBI single at the top of the first inning. Netz would homer in the bottom of the first to left field, putting the Wildcats ahead 2-1 for the rest of the game.
After Miranda Stoddard pitched the first two innings, Netz would relieve her for the remaining five. Netz finished the game with the win, recording five strikeouts between the fifth and seventh innings.
The defense altogether was impressive as they starved the Red Raiders of their chances to score, holding them to one run from six hits.
The Wildcats took the day with patience as they completed the 2-1 victory against the Red Raiders securing their first game over the Big 12’s best team.
Day 2 – Texas Tech 10 vs. Arizona 1 (5 innings)
Texas Tech jumped out to an early lead in the second game of the series. In the first inning, they earned a home run, an RBI single, a sacrifice fly and a run off a throwing error. The Red Raiders put the Wildcats down in a 4-0 pit early.
Netz tried to squash their lead at the bottom of the first by driving in a run off a sacrifice fly. This attempt from Netz would be the lone score from an otherwise silent Wildcat offensive.
Texas Tech picked up two more runs in the third, then extended their lead in the fifth with an RBI and a bunt single that brought in three additional runs. The great offensive game by Texas Tech helped them secure the 10-1 win over the Wildcats.
Aissa Silva faced the first five batters and allowed two hits and four runs. Ryan Maddox would pitch until midway through the fourth inning, allowing five hits and three runs. Stoddard pitched the final 1.1 innings, allowing three runs on three hits.
Day 3 – Texas Tech 5 vs. Arizona 2
The Red Raiders scored first again on day three of the series, with one run in the first inning and then another in the third. The Cats pushed back in the bottom of the third and posted two runs. With Dakota Kennedy launching a solo home run into left center and Sydney Stewart hitting a sacrifice fly to bring Regan Shockey home.
The game remained neck and neck until the bottom of the sixth inning. Texas Tech broke it open with both a solo and a two-run homer, sealing their 5-2 victory.
Netz pitched 5.2 innings and allowed three runs on six hits, striking out four and walking one. Saya Swain allowed one hit of the four batters she faced.
Up Next
Arizona will welcome New Mexico State University to Hillenbrand Stadium in a doubleheader on Tuesday, April 22, at 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.
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