Arizona dominated BYU 13-1 in its Big 12 opener Thursday at Hillenbrand Stadium.
The Wildcats (18-5, 1-0 Big 12) are on a six-game win streak all being run-rule victories while BYU (5-15, 0-1) has lost three of its last four games.
“We just think of it as wins and that’s what it comes up to be,” Regan Shockey said about the streak. “We love the run rule and whatnot but it’s a win and we’re just proud of that.”
Arizona won mostly on the back of an 11-run first inning that featured Shockey scoring twice and batting in two runners. Sydney Stewart also had a big first inning with five RBIs, including a two-run shot that forced a pitching change for the Cougars.
“I do my best on a pitch that I can get extended on, so I was just trying to be aggressive,” Stewart said about her explosive first inning. “I got a pitch that was outside and elevated which is perfectly in my plan.”
Sereniti Trice and Addison Duke also had a hand in the fun combining for three RBIs in the first inning alone.
“I thought they were perfectly themselves in the first inning as far as not doing too much,” coach Caitlin Lowe said. “I think you can see how fast it can happen when it gets contagious that way.”
BYU was able to take advantage of an early error by Grace Jenkins in right field allowed Lily Owens to get across home thanks to a double by Hailey Shuler to get BYU on the board first.
Arizona answered back in a big way getting 15 batters up to the plate and 11 runs across with two notable hits by Stewart including a bases clearing double and a two-run homer that was crushed over centerfield.
Jalen Adams was able to rein it in during the second inning on a double-ball play that was shot back to the mound. Adams turned to first before the runner could get back.
The Wildcats’ bats ran hot into the second sparked by Shockey again getting Salpoine grad Molli Daley home on a fielder’s choice and Trice hitting a line drive that got into left field to score Duke from second base.
Both teams quieted down apart from a Jenna Sniffen double error on a play where she bobbled the ball and then made an errant throw allowing a runner to get to third before being stranded by Adams.
Jenae Berry came into the game in the fifth to finish the game
Arizona will play BYU again at 3 p.m. Friday at Hillenbrand stadium in the second game of the three-game series.
“I think we do better the more we face someone, so it was great to be able to get to three arms today,” Lowe said. “We have a different plan for each person. Hopefully they’re dreaming about what they’re going to see tomorrow.”
Salpointe alum Gianna Mares, a former teammate of Daley’s with the Lancers, started for BYU and struggled. She allowed eight hits and 11 runs with three walks and a strikeout in the first 2/3 innings of the game.
Recommended for you
