The No. 12 University of Arizona softball team (21-7, 4-2 in Big 12) wins game one, but drops the last two to No. 2 Texas Tech (27-2, 5-2 in Big 12) in their second conference series of the season. Recording an upset in dominant fashion in game one, the Wildcats couldn’t hold onto the momentum and drop the final two.

Game 1

Arizona had an early scoring chance in the top of the second thanks to a Texas Tech error. With runners on first and third with only one out, the Wildcats couldn’t capitalize. 

The Wildcats wouldn’t wait long to capitalize on the scoring opportunity. Tayler Biehl got the scoring going early with an RBI double to get Arizona on the board first. Arizona continued the offensive surge, capped off by back to back home runs from Grace Jenkins and Anyssa Wild. Jenkins hitting her sixth of the year, the three run blast and a solo homerun from Wild gave the Wildcats a quick 5-0 lead heading into the fourth.

Starting pitcher Jalen Adams would find her groove early in this one. Cruising through the first three innings of this game, keeping Arizona in front in the early stages. Running into trouble in the fourth, Tech got the first two on. With runners on second and third with no outs, Adams escapes with consecutive popouts, keeping Tech scoreless. 

The Wildcats opened the flood gates with a Jenkins grand slam pushing the lead to nine in the top of the fifth with the mercy rule against the second team in the nation in sight.

An absolute gem from Adams through five innings and great defense from Arizona held Texas Tech scoreless. Recording her 12th win on the season and shutting down the Red Raider lineup in the process. The Wildcats were able to capture their most marquee win of the season this season via mercy rule on the road.

Game 2 

Arizona jumped on Texas Tech starter Kaitlyn Terry in the top of the first with a two run blast from Sydney Stewart which gave the Wildcats an early lead and continued the power surge from game one. Tech would get on the board with a solo shot of their own in the bottom half, but Arizona would stay in front.

An opposite field blast from Arizona’s nine hitter Addison Duke would provide an early cushion pushing the lead to four. However, the Red Raiders would answer right back with two homeruns in the bottom of the second, putting up a five spot in the second inning and putting Texas Tech in front. Stewart, continuing to be a force offensively, hit her second homerun of the game, tying the game at six apiece as they headed into the fourth.

Freshman Rylie Holder gave up only a single home run in the first and came out in the second, but failed to record a single out. This gave up two home runs and ended with a final line of five earned runs, on four hits and two walks. 

Adams would come in relief to stop the bleeding, but the Raider Raider lineup had woken up after being shutout just a night before. Exploding for five in the fourth inning and scoring in every inning after that, would put the game out of reach. Arizona wasn’t able to handle the Texas Tech lineup in this one, dropping the first game of Saturday’s doubleheader 14-6.

Game 3

Texas Tech came out the gates swinging and grabbed an early 3-0 lead in the second. For the first time in the series, the Red Raiders grab the first lead. Holder was able to get through a scoreless first, but couldn’t keep Tech’s lineup in check and gave up five runs early.

The Wildcats bats had gone silent in the first four frames. They got the first two in the fourth, but were not able to capitalize. This left four runners on base up to this point, Arizona would trail by five.

Scoring every inning but the first, Texas Tech took an early lead and never looked back. Arizona were unable to regain the momentum on either side of the ball in this one, only mustering two hits against Tech starter NiJaree Canady.

All games resulting in run rules, Arizona was able to dominate the first half of the series, but Texas Tech showed resilience and countered the Wildcats dominance winning the final two games.

Looking forward

No. 12 Arizona takes on their rivals ASU on Friday, March 20 at 6:00 p.m. The Wildcats look to bounce back at Hillenbrand Stadium in front of the home crowd. 

Follow the Daily Wildcat on Instagram and Twitter/X