Arizona's Dakota Kennedy (4) (shown dropping a surprise bunt for a hit against UCLA in Friday's series opener) did damage Sunday with the long ball. With two home runs, Kennedy was a bright spot for the Wildcats in a 14-5 loss to UCLA as the Bruins completed the three-game sweep.

 Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star

Former Wildcat Sharlize Palacios’s three-run homer certainly started things off Sunday for No. 2 UCLA at No. 24 Arizona.

But Bruin freshman Megan Grant all but finished UCLA’s rout of the host Wildcats. Grant went deep twice — a solo shot in the fourth and a grand slam in the fifth — as the Pac-12-leading Bruins completed a three-game sweep with a 14-5 win over the Wildcats at Hillenbrand Stadium in Tucson.

Palacios, one of Arizona’s most feared hitters the last two seasons before transferring to UCLA after Arizona’s 2022 Women’s College World Series appearance last season, plated three with her first-inning homer off UA starter Devyn Netz.

Palacios also had a three-run homer Saturday night in UCLA’s come-from-behind 8-4 win. The Bruins (39-4, 15-3 Pac-12) started off the eventual sweep with an 8-0 win Friday.

In ninth place out of the Pac-12’s 10 teams, Arizona (24-18, 3-11) has now lost 10 consecutive conference games. While the Wildcats are 6-0 against non-conference teams in that span, Arizona’s next chance, a three-game series at No. 19 Oregon (27-17, 7-7) starting Friday, will distance more than a full month between Pac-12 wins for the Wildcats.

Netz was pulled Saturday after just one out in the first. She allowed four earned runs on four hits. But Arizona’s relievers didn’t have much more luck. Ali Blanchard, Brianna Hardy, Aissa Silva and Sydney Somerndike combined to give up nine earned runs on eight hits, walking four and striking out three in 4 2/3 innings.

UA freshman Dakota Kennedy sparked Arizona offensively to the third-highest run output against UCLA this season. Kennedy was 2 for 3 with two home runs and three RBIs.

Before heading to Eugene, Oregon, the Wildcats get a mid-week conference reprieve, albeit on the road, when they face Grand Canyon (33-9) Wednesday at 6 p.m. in Phoenix.

Arizona Softball coach Caitlin Lowe discusses how competitive her team is, in addition to providing insight into the play of her team's freshman — for hitters, that includes their composure at the plate; for pitchers, the desire to have the ball in their hands. Lowe spoke to local media Mar. 14, 2023 at Mike Candrea Field at Rita Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium. Video by Devin Homer/Special to the Arizona Daily Star

The Antelopes are 23-5 at home this season and have outscored opponents 281-117 overall.

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Contact Brett Fera at bfera@tucson.com. On Twitter: @brettfera