The No. 12 University of Arizona softball team (33-7, 10-5 Big 12) went 2-1 in their series against No. 18 Oklahoma State University (23-11, 5-5 Big 12). The Wildcats took on the Cowgirls at home in Hillenbrand Stadium from Friday, April 4 to Sunday, April 6. Arizona put up a tough fight in the first game but were unable to get the victory and lost 4-2. The weekend brought success, as the Wildcats finished off the series with two wins.
Game 1
Arizona jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the opening game of the series. This was sparked by a sacrifice fly from Kaiah Altmeyer in the first inning and a full-bases walk from Miranda Stoddard.
What followed was a tightly contested pitchers’ duel, with neither team adding to the scoreboard for the next several innings. Devyn Netz held it down on the mound, retiring eight straight Cowgirls in the first three innings. OSU’s pitcher, Ruby Meylan, matched the competition and recorded eight strikeouts against the Wildcats.
OSU scored a pair of home runs that brought them into the lead at the top of the seventh.
The Wildcats tried to bring in back at the bottom of the inning but were unsuccessful.
Netz threw 6.1 innings, allowed three runs on nine hits and walked one batter while striking out one as well. Stoddard’s closing time on the mound saw her give up the game-winning home run at the end of the game.
Game 2
Arizona flipped the momentum of the series with a dominant 12-4 run rule victory over OSU in the second game of the series.
OSU came out swinging first inning with three runs, giving themselves a 3-0 lead. Altmeyer fought back with an RBI double to add one for the Wildcats. At the bottom of the second, Arizona earned another run by Jenna Sniffen off a Cowgirl’s error, making it a 3-2 game.
OSU earned a home run at the top of the third, but Arizona refused to back down. Two more runs in the bottom of the inning evened the score, setting the stage for a game-changing fourth.
Bats exploded in the fourth inning as Arizona’s offense surged and earned a 10-4 lead. Altmeyer drove in the first run. Bases were loaded, and Sydney Stewart took her moment to hit a grand slam. Stewart’s homer to center field would be her 11th of the season.
Arizona sealed the game in the fifth. Emily Schepp delivered an RBI single, and Stoddard followed with another RBI single, locking in the mercy-rule win.
Ryan Maddox started the game for the Wildcats, pitching 2.1 innings, allowing four runs on six hits and one walk. Stoddard would replace Maddox at the top of the third. She pitched the last 2.2 innings, did not allow a hit or run to score and had two strikeouts.
Game 3
Arizona stacked up their fourth Big 12 series win on the last day of the series, winning the game 3-0.
Fans were gripping their seats as they watched another pitcher’s duel. Tayler Biehl lit the Arizona offensive fire after she drew a walk and was eventually brought home after a single from Regan Shockey.
Netz slammed a two-run home run in the sixth inning, making it her 13th home run of the season.
Netz was not only an offensive powerhouse but also a key asset on the mound. She pitched five scoreless innings while only allowing two hits. Stoddard kept OSU scoreless in the seventh inning and earned her first save of the season.
Up Next
The Wildcats will head to Lawrence, Kansas, to face the University of Kansas in a three-day series starting on Friday, April 11, at 3 p.m. in hopes of earning another Big 12 win.
