Rating:

0.0 (0 votes)

TUCSON, Ariz. - University of Arizona Wildcat Softball swept Yavapai and Eastern Arizona in its first action of the fall slate. UA downed Yavapai 9-0 in a perfect effort from Estela Piñon and Shelby Babcock in the opener and defeated Eastern Arizona 1-0 in a two-hit game from Babcock and Nancy Bowling.

In 14 defensive innings, Wildcat pitchers allowed just three base-runners: a pair of singles and a Wildcat error against Eastern Arizona.

Bowling pitched the final five innings of game two and struck out seven batters while allowing a single hit. Babcock pitched five combined innings and struck out four while allowing only one hit. Piñon started game one and pitched the first four innings while striking out four and not allowing a hit.

Brigette Del Ponte led the UA offense with three doubles in the two games while batting .571 (4-for-7) and driving in a run.

In her first at-bat in an Arizona uniform, freshman Mandie Perez hit a three-run home run to cap Arizona's seven-run first inning against Yavapai.

Alex Lavine, previously a right-handed batter, displayed her new left-handed slapping ability with a pair of infield hits on the day. The junior led the Cats with a .667 batting average on the day.

Arizona will return to action in the Arizona Fall Classic this weekend. Arizona will play five games over three days, Friday, Oct. 12 through Sunday, Oct. 14. The Cats welcome South Mountain College, New Mexico, Central Arizona, Cypress and Pima College for the 15-game, three-day tournament.

(Courtesy: Arizona Athletics)