The Arizona softball team swept local community colleges in the Arizona Fall Invitational Halloween weekend. The Wildcats picked up victories in all of their games, going undefeated throughout the weekend. On Friday, the Wildcats blanked both Central Arizona and Arizona Western, outscoring opponents a combined 28-0. Saturday looked much the same, picking up big wins against Phoenix College and Eastern Arizona. To close out the weekend, the Wildcats beat Pima College on Sunday.

Day one, Game one: Central Arizona

The Wildcats got the bats rolling early and never looked back, as a total of 18 runs came across the plate in the afternoon on 12 hits. New head coach Caitlin Lowe gave Hanah Bowen the nod in Game One, and the decision paid off. Bowen threw three scoreless innings, only allowing one hit while striking out four. Jessie Fontes came in for the Cats to close out the game, throwing two scoreless innings. Catcher Sharlize Palacios held the lineup down, having 7 RBI’s carrying the Cats to a victory over Central Arizona.

Day two, Game two: Arizona Western

Much of the same continued in the late afternoon slate as the Wildcats took the field against Arizona Western, picking up a 10-0 victory. The middle of the batting order was the difference-maker in the game, as Palacios, Carlie Scupin and Allie Skaggs were responsible for most of the runs. Devyn Netz looked sharp on the mound, throwing four scoreless innings, allowing a lone hit with no free passes. Madi Elish finished out the game, throwing a scoreless fifth to close out the game for the Wildcats.

Day two, Game one: Phoenix College

The Phoenix College Bears came to play in this one, and if the late game errors had not occurred, the score would have been much closer. Both teams struggled to get base runners on, as only one run came across in total through the first three innings. The Bears’ defensive mistakes were the reason this one got out of hand, as they had multiple errors resulting in extended innings for the Cats as they went on to score seven runs, beating the Bears 7-1. Bowen looked phenomenal on the rubber, fanning nine batters through six innings, only giving up one run off a solo shot in the top of the fourth.

Day two, Game two: Arizona Eastern

Janelle Meoño was huge for the Cats, batting three for three as she was a force to deal with all night at the top of the order. However, the entire lineup produced 13 hits and nine runs as the Cats quickly took care of Arizona Eastern. The pitching staff continued what they had been doing all weekend, throwing scoreless innings as Netz and Elish were pumping strike after strike.

RELATED: Caitlin Lowe officially introduced introduced as the seventh head coach in Arizona softball history

Day three:  Pima College

Pitching continued to be the difference-maker in the tournament, as another scoreless outing from Arizona’s pitching staff led them to victory. Jessie Fontes started the game with three scoreless innings, followed by Netz coming in relief, throwing four innings to help the Wildcats finish off the weekend tournament with their fifth straight victory. Palacios continued to swing the bat well as she had been all weekend, with three RBI’s in the finale.

The Wildcats will rest up for the winter, but this weekend’s success gives us a promising look come the spring.

Follow Aidan Alperstein on Twitter