Softball Wins Final Game Of Series, 7-5, Vs. Arizona

Saturday, April 7

Seattle, Wash.

12:00 PM

University of Washington

1-0, 1-0

Arizona

0-1, 0-1

Arizona

Washington

April 07, 2012 | Softball

Box Score

By: Washington Athletics

April 7, 2012

Box Score

SEATTLE - Washington salvaged the final game of a three-game series against No. 17 Arizona with a 7-5 victory in front of a sun-soaked sellout crowd of 1,450 at Husky Softball Field on Saturday.

The fourth-ranked Huskies snapped a five-game losing skid and improved to 33-6, 4-5 in Pac-12 play on the season. The Wildcats fell to 25-10, 4-5.

The Wildcats struck first in the third inning when centerfielder Hallie Wilson sent starter Bryana Walker's 3-1 pitch into the first row of the right field bleachers. The hit was the first of the game for Arizona.

Washington answered back in a big way in the bottom of the third by batting around and scoring five runs - all with two outs. The Huskies loaded the bases and Kimi Pohlman started the scoring with a RBI single. Pinch hitter Kelli Suguro followed with a single that plated another run and gave UW the 2-1 lead. Kylee Lahners plated two runs with a RBI single up the middle and Hooch Fagaly capped the scoring with a RBI flair-single to center.

The Wildcats got a run back in the top of the fourth when Shelby Pendley belted her 13th homerun of the year to straightaway center that just flew over the outstretched glove of Pohlman, who tried to climb the wall and bring the ball back.

The Huskies again had an answer for the Wildcats in the bottom of the inning, plating two runs on a two-run bomb off the bat of designated player Kaitlin Inglesby. Her eighth homer of the year came with two outs and Victoria Hayward, who led off the inning with a double, on base.

Arizona got three runs back in the sixth despite just one hit during the inning. The Wildcats took advantage of three walks and an error to score the trio of runs before Inglesby stepped into the pitcher's circle in relief and quelled the Wildcats' rally. She struck out a batter and then got a lucky bounce on a wild pitch and was able to take the feed from catcher Shawna Wright and apply the tag at the plate as Lini Koria tried to score. Inglesby struck out pinch hitter Ballie Kirker to end the rally.

The Wildcats mounted one last comeback attempt in the seventh inning when they got runners on first and third after two outs, but Inglesby got Koria to harmlessly pop up to third baseman Courtney Gano in foul territory to end the game and earn her fourth save of the season.

Walker (8-1) earned the victory for the Huskies, pitching 5+ innings, allowing four earned runs and striking out six, while walking three batters. Shelby Babcock (13-7) took the loss for Arizona.

Saturday's regular scheduled game followed the completion of Friday's game, which was suspended due to rain. The Wildcats won that game 5-3 to ensure a win of the series.

The Huskies hit the road for a trio of mid-week games in Eugene vs. the Ducks. The two teams will play a double-header on Tuesday and a single game on Wednesday.