Arizona softball got an impressive win in game one of a three game series vs Oregon State on Friday, and it was fueled by a seven-run fourth inning. Six different Wildcats had an RBI, as the ‘Cats won 9-0 in five innings at Hillenbrand Stadium. 

In the third inning, with the Wildcats already ahead, they had the prime opportunity to put up more runs. The bases were loaded, there were no outs, and Jessie Harper entered the batter’s box. Harper flew out, followed by consecutive strikeouts from Malia Martinez and Dejah Mulipola, and it looked as though the ‘Cats were about to be their own worst enemy in a conference game.

Then, in the very next inning, the Wildcats offense came to life. After a home run from Aleah Craighton, and RBI’s from Harper, Martinez, Alyssa Palomino, Ivy Davis, and Craighton again, the Wildcats saw themselves up nine runs, with only three outs standing between them and a victory. 

“It was good to see that they are growing in tough situations where they don’t succeed, and don’t let it get to them,” head coach Mike Candrea said of the bounce back fourth inning. “They stay positive and get ready for the next inning.”

Taylor McQuillin started on the mound for the ‘Cats and went the whole game, only facing a total of 16 batters. She allowed only one hit, striking out two. The lone hit given up by McQuillin didn’t come until the fourth inning.

“Going out there, I have to give 100 percent of what I have every time, and that’s what I’m going to do everytime,” McQuillin said. “I think the infield helped a lot, they made some great plays, outfield made some key plays as well, and the bats came alive when we needed them.”

The Wildcats will look to replicate tonight’s performance in game two of the series, which will be Saturday night at 6 p.m.

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