The No. 4 Arizona softball team began the season 5-0 after sweeping the Hillenbrand Invitational over the weekend. The Wildcats outscored Southern Utah, New Mexico and Seattle University 45-5 over the five-game stretch. 

Here are a few highlights from the opening weekend.

Hannah Bowen tosses first career no-hitter

Hannah Bowen was locked in to begin the season. In her first start of the season, she threw a five inning no-hitter in Arizona’s 12-0 run-rule win over New Mexico. She finished the game with five strikeouts and only one walk surrendered. This performance added to an impressive career where she is now 9-1 with a 2.60 ERA with 70 strikeouts in her three seasons at Arizona. 

45 runs scored in five games

Arizona’s offence started out hot as the Wildcats piled on 45 runs in their first five games of the season and already has four different players with multiple home runs on the season. 

The two main offensive standouts so far this season have been seniors Malia Martinez and Dejah Mulipola. Mulipola has a .429 batting average with 2 home runs and 10 RBI so far while Martinez is batting .385 with 3 home runs and 8 RBI to begin the 2021 season.  

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First-year Wildcats already making an impact

To no surprise, Arizona’s newest recruiting class has stepped up early. Freshman pitcher Deyvn Netz, sister of Arizona baseball pitcher Dawson Netz, was able to get a victory in her fist start. 

The beginning of the game did not go as planned for Netz as she surrendered a run in the first inning but settled in after that. She finished the game with four innings pitched and gave up three hits and one run to go along with five strikeouts in Arizona’s 10-1 victory over Southern Utah. 

Arizona will compete in the Wildcat Invitational, which will once again be hosted at Hillenbrand Stadium. The invitational begins Thursday, Feb. 25, and will conclude Sunday, Feb. 28. The Wildcats will take on BYU on Thursday at 5 p.m., Seattle University on Friday at 6 p.m., Oregon State on Saturday at 3 p.m. and then wrap up the weekend with Colorado State on Sunday at 12 p.m. MST.  

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