NCAA super regionals: Arizona drops opener to Louisiana-Lafayette
May 23, 2014
Arizona began the game with a leadoff home run from All-Conference first team selection Hallie Wilson, but would get little offense until the final frame of a 5-3 loss to Louisiana-Lafayette Friday night in Lafayette, La. The final Wildcat runs came when shortstop Kellie Fox launched a 2-run homer over the center field wall scoring Kelsey Rodriguez who reached on an error in the prior at-bat.
Cajuns’ junior Christina Hamilton pitched a complete game, scattering seven hits while only giving up two earned runs with four strikeouts and four walks.
[Related: 2014 NCAA softball bracket (NCAA.com)]
For Arizona, seniors Estela Pinon and Shelby Babcock each pitched three innings. Pinon took the loss after giving up five hits and five earned runs, while striking out one and walking four. Babcock shut down the Cajuns’ bats, only surrendering one hit and no runs in the final three frames.
Aside from Wilson’s homer in the first and Fox’s two-run shot in the seventh, the Wildcats couldn’t find a groove. Power hitters Chelsea Goodacre, Katiyana Mauga and Mo Mercado managed a meager 1-for-11 with three strikeouts.
Arizona (44-15) and Louisiana-Lafayette (48-8-1) will meet tomorrow at noon PT with the Wildcats needing a victory to force a decisive third game at 3 p.m. for the right to go to Oklahoma City for the Women’s College World Series.