Devyn Netz, left, pitched a complete game two-hitter and had nine strikeouts against Washington Sunday. (Arizona Athletics)
No. 17 Arizona shut out Washington, 4-0, in the final game of the Candrea Classic Sunday afternoon at Hillenbrand Stadium.
The win evens the score for Arizona after the Huskies beat Arizona, 6-2, on Friday.
Arizona head coach Caitlin Lowe said a mentality shift made the difference for Arizona in the rematch.
“They came out and they expected to win and then they did their job to make that happen. I think that was the biggest thing,” she said.
Caitlin Lowe said it was a “really big deal” to see Devyn Netz bounce back against Washington in the circle after a loss to the Huskies on Friday. @AllSportsTucson pic.twitter.com/mpCIMTEWet
— Kevin Murphy (@KevinMurfee) February 9, 2025
Devyn Netz (2-1) pitched a complete game, allowing two hits with nine strikeouts and no walks on 84 pitches. Netz got the start and the loss for Arizona in the circle against Washington Friday, allowing five runs on five hits— including two home runs — with six strikeouts and a walk in three innings.
“Honestly, I just kind of thought of bouncing back but also just seeking that redemption,” Netz said of her complete-game two hitter. “I felt like I wasn’t finished yet. Not only did I feel like last time I put that loss on my back, I kind of felt like I could really pick it up for my team right here and just think about one pitch at a time and just use my defense and that’s exactly what worked today.”
Devyn Netz pitched a complete game, allowing 2 hits with 9 Ks against Washington. Dakota Kennedy went 3-for-3, with a double and 3 runs. @AllSportsTucson pic.twitter.com/N0Bnyl2Oow
— Kevin Murphy (@KevinMurfee) February 9, 2025
Lowe said Netz’s performance Sunday was a “really big deal” given the way she pitched in the first matchup against Washington.
“I thought she responded beautifully today, probably with a tighter zone than she had the other day,” she said. “So, it was just excellent. I think you saw her passion come through. I think you saw our defense rallying behind her for a couple of those plays that were just absolute gutters. That’s a good team, and to come out and face that lineup again is going to be tough. So, I’m very proud of her today.”
Arizona (5-1) scored two runs in the bottom of the first inning, beginning with a leadoff double by Dakota Kennedy. With one out, Kaiah Altmeyer drove her home with an RBI double. Sydney Stewart then singled up the middle, scoring Altmeyer to extend Arizona’s lead to 2-0.
Morgan Reimer replaced Rylee Rehbein to begin the bottom of the third for Washington, and she immediately gave up two singles to Kennedy and Regan Shockey before walking Altmeyer to load the bases. Stewart grounded out to third into a double play, but Kennedy scored to put Arizona up 3-0.
Washington (2-3) recorded its first hit when Sophi Mazzola hit a leadoff double in the top of the fourth. With one out, Charity Sevaaetasi hit into a double play, lining out to center before Shockey threw out Mazzola at third.
DON'T RUN ON REGAN
a perfect throw to third from Regan ends the inning! pic.twitter.com/tzFcU57m6e
— Arizona Softball (@ArizonaSoftball) February 9, 2025
In the bottom of the fifth, Washington second baseman Riley Pescheck had an error on a routine grounder from Altmeyer, scoring Kennedy from second to stretch Arizona’s lead to 4-0.
Rehbein (0-1) allowed two runs off three hits with three strikeouts in two innings.
Arizona opens the Bear Down Fiesta against South Alabama (4-1) Thursday at 5 p.m. at Hillenbrand Stadium.
FOLLOW @KEVINMURFEE ON TWITTER!ALLSPORTSTUCSON.com writer Kevin Murphy was born and raised in Tucson, and has followed Arizona Wildcats athletics since childhood. Murphy is a journalist product manager with the Green Valley News & the Sahuarita Sun. He has a bachelor’s degree from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at ASU.
Recommended for you
