Arizona played five games this weekend at the Marry Nutter classic, and went 5-0 on the back of strong pitching from Taylor McQuillin.

The ‘Cats got a uinique experience in Chicago, since they played all five of their games on the Wrigley Field replica at the Field of Dreams complex in Palm Springs.

Day One

On day one, Arizona beat North Carolina in game one of the tournament 10-0. Taylor McQuillin allowed just one hit that game.

The UA bats took an inning to get warmed, but Arizona got on the board in the second when Alyssa Palomino hit a solo home run. Arizona then added two more in the third, and seven runs in the fourth. 

The ‘Cats then turned around a few hours later to come from down a run in the seventh inning to beat Mizzou 9-4. 

Alyssa Denham started game two for Arizona, and only recorded one inning. She gave up a two run home run in the first inning, followed by a solo shot to lead off the second inning. Denham pitched in the second inning, but was pulled in favor of ace Taylor McQuillin before she could get an out. 

After McQuillin entered the game, she surrendered only three more hits and one more run. 

Offensively, Arizona got on the board first via a Jessie Harper triple that scored both Ashley Hughes and Carli Campbell. Arizona got another run back in the sixth inning when Jenna Kean scored on a wild pitch, and then scored six more runs in the seventh inning to win 9-4.

Day Two

Much like day one, Arizona went 2-0 on day two.

In game one against St. John’s , Hannah Bowen got her second career start. She threw five scoreless innings, but ran into trouble in the sixth. Bowen then gave up a double down the line to score two. Bowen then was relieved after putting two runners on, thus leaving her responsible for the runners. 

Alyssa Denham was brought in, in relief, and then gave up a three run home run. 

The Arizona bats, however, had no problem getting started. Reyna Carranco hit and RBI single in the first, and then Aleah Craighton hit an RBI triple an inning later. In the fourth inning, Dejah Mulipola hit an RBI single, followed by a sacrifice fly by Craighton. Joelle Krist also got in on the action, hitting a two run single. Jessie Harper finished off Arizona’s scoring when she hit a two run single.

Arizona played Cal State Northridge in game two, and only needed five innings to polish off the Matadors. Taylor McQuillin started the game and gave up a single hit in five innings. 

Arizona struck first offensively in the bottom of the first when Jenna Kean scored on a passed ball. Reyna Carranco then hit a two run double in the fourth inning. Jessie Harper then hit a two run home run, before Alyssa Palomino hit a two run home run. Jessie Harper rounded out the ‘Cats’ scoring at eight with an RBI single to center. 

Day Three

Arizona took on fourth ranked Oklahoma for their final game of the Marry Nutter. The game went as one would expect a top matchup to go. Arizona, the designated away team, scored the winning run on an Aleah Craighton two run home run in the top of the second. 

Taylor McQuillin was lights out; she gave up one hit, walked four, and struck out seven in her win over the defending national champs. 

Arizona’s next games are March 2-4 in Austin, Texas, as Arizona plays a series against the Texas Longhorns. 

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