A three-run homer – the third of the night – gave the Wildcats a lead they would run with.
No. 6 UCLA softball (29-10, 13-4 Pac-12) fell 8-4 to No. 20 Arizona (32 -14-1, 13-10 Pac-12) in the series’ second game at Easton Stadium on Saturday. A four-run sixth inning, including the home run and a single RBI, gave the Wildcats their first win of the series.
“It’s hard to beat us up,” said graduate student outfielder Jadelyn Allchin. “I felt like we were still in the game. We were still ready to come back and attack – we just didn’t get the outcome that we’d hope for.”
The first two innings were scoreless on both sides, but in the third inning, Arizona second baseman Allie Skaggs hit the first three-run homer of the night.
Freshman pitcher Kaitlyn Terry remained steadfast on the circle to strike out the next batter to get out of the inning.
Coach Kelly Inouye-Perez said Terry’s ability to quickly respond with a strike out was commendable.
The Bruins’ only runs through the contest came in the bottom of the third inning. Redshirt senior catcher Sharlize Palacios sent the second three-run homer of the night right back at the Wildcats – the team she transferred from two seasons ago. Sophomore infielder Jordan Woolery hit a RBI double to bring Allchin home and add the fourth run to the scoreboard and put the Bruins in the lead.
“It’s amazing to be able to see this team’s ability to respond in exactly those types of situations, and it’s based on having your teammates back,” Inouye-Perez said. “KT (Terry) gave up a three-run home run, and they answered right back.”
Arizona catcher Emily Schepp launched a home run in the fourth inning to tie the game and mark the end of the UCLA’s lead for the night.
The fifth inning scoresheets were also undisturbed, and by the end of the sixth, Arizona was leading the game by four runs. The Wildcats held the Bruins at four runs for the nights remainder to tie the series.
“I just think they were rolling with some energy, and they kept getting hit after hit,” said senior utility Thessa Malau’ulu. “They’re a great team, but tomorrow, I definitely think that we can win the series.”
The Bruins and Wildcats will face off once more at Easton Stadium on Sunday to determine a winner of the series.
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