The Arizona Wildcats are turning to Alyssa Denham to help them avoid elimination at the Women's College World Series.
The right-hander from Texas will start Saturday's elimination game between the 11th-seeded Wildcats and 10th-seeded Florida State.
Denham, a senior, led the Wildcats to their NCAA Super Regional clincher over Arkansas last week and pitched two innings in Thursday’s loss to Alabama, surrendering three runs. She is 19-8 this season with an era of 2.00. It's her 93rd appearance at Arizona after spending her freshman year at Louisiana-Lafayette.
In what qualifies as a bigger surprise, Florida State will counter with Caylan Arnold and not ace Kathryn Sandercock. Arnold is 10-6 with a 1.88 ERA this season.
Saturday's elimination game is scheduled to start at 11:30 a.m. and will air on ESPN. Should the Wildcats win, they'd play again at 6:30 p.m. tonight.
Both lineups are below. FSU is the designated home team.
Photos: Former UA players pack stands, wear jerseys to support coach Mike Candrea at Women's College World Series
Arizona at the Women's College World Series
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Lindsay Cunningham, former Arizona Softball player, looks for fellow alumni while entering the USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium before Arizona's softball game against Florida State on day three of the 2021 Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City on June 5, 2021.
Arizona at the Women's College World Series
Updated
Nick Candrea, center, Arizona Softball head coach Mike Candrea's brother, gives former players Hilary Edior, left, and Katiyana Mauga a big hug before Arizona's softball game against Florida State on day three of the 2021 Women's College World Series at the USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City on June 5, 2021.
Arizona at the Women's College World Series
Updated
Former Arizona Softball players from left to right, Chrissy Alexander, Lindsay Cunningham and Erika Barnes point at their past World Series patches while taking a photo before Arizona's softball game against Florida State on day three of the 2021 Women's College World Series at the USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City on June 5, 2021.
Arizona at the Women's College World Series
Updated
Nick Candrea, center, Arizona coach Mike Candrea's brother, talks to former Arizona softball players as they pose for a group photo before Arizona's WCWS elimination game.
Arizona at the Women's College World Series
Updated
Aerial Sakasegawa, former UA softball team manager, and former Arizona softball players, from left to right, Katiyana Mauga, Hilary Editor, Kenzie Fowler, Erika Barnes, Chrissy Alexander and Lindsay Cunningham set up for a group photo before Arizona's softball game against Florida State on day three of the 2021 Women's College World Series at the USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City on June 5, 2021.
