Following Friday’s 1-0 win over Saint Francis (Pa.), coach Mike Candrea talked about the Arizona Wildcats’ struggles at the plate. Maybe, he joked, the team was saving its hits for Saturday.
That’s exactly what happened.
Arizona blanked North Dakota State 6-0 in Saturday’s NCAA Regional game at Hillenbrand Stadium, registering 10 hits and stranding 12 on base. The Wildcats will play Sunday with a chance to advance to the Super Regionals; the UA will play Mississippi State at 4 p.m. and, if it loses, in a winner-take-all game immediately following it.
The Wildcats’ trip to the Super Regionals was made much easier thanks to Saturday’s win; ace Taylor McQuillin ensured their early lead was more than enough.
“At this stage in the game, it was a great ballgame for us,” Candrea said. “I thought Taylor kind of set the tone on the mound for us and we finally got some key hits and were able to put some runs on the board, which was nice.”
Candrea said the UA’s hitters were able to see the ball a lot better Saturday, but the key was McQuillin. She struck out nine batters while walking one. Her best results came in the third inning, when she recorded three outs on three pitches, tying an NCAA record.
“Just trying to throw some strikes, not get behind in the count, because I did that a lot yesterday,” McQuillin said.
Freshman Jenna Kean led the offense with a 4-for-4 performance. She scored two runs.
Candrea said it can be tough for freshmen to play in the postseason, especially after being added and removed from the lineup multiple times throughout the regular season. Kean said she tried to keep it simple at the plate.
“I definitely got my confidence back up and I feel a lot more comfortable than I did before,” Kean said.
The scoring started in the first inning. Dejah Mulipola ripped a two-out single to bring home Reyna Carranco. A fly ball into right field by Carranco in the fourth scored pinch-runner Taryn Young, bumping the lead to 2-0.
Two innings later, Arizona scored three more thanks to a hit from Carranco, a Mulipola walk with the bases loaded and a wild pitch.
Carranco went 2 for 4 with two RBIs. Mulipola finished 2 for 3 with two RBIs.
Sunday marks Arizona’s final game of the season at Hillenbrand Stadium as it stood after Saturday. The stadium’s $8 million remodel will begin after the Wildcats are done playing at home, and should be complete by January.
UA could play host to a Super Regional should Pac-12 rival UCLA fail to advance.
Candrea said the remodel, which includes revamped seating and a renovated press box, will help Arizona’s fans. Still, he was disappointed with the turnout again Saturday. The UA announced a crowd of 1,515 fans — 713 fewer than the 2,228 who attended the Wildcats’ May 5 home game against Grand Canyon, and 1,114 fewer than the 2,629 who attended an April 14 game against UCLA.
Arizona drew 1,552 fans for Friday night’s win over Saint Francis. That game started after 9 p.m.
“I was very disappointed with the crowd last night and today, when you’re used to coming out here for a conference game and seeing the bleachers full,” Candrea said. “I know it’s hot, but they make a difference. That’s why we want to host, that’s why we want to be here is because of our fans. So, I hope they come out tomorrow and support this group of young ladies, because it does make a difference.”
The Wildcats have won seven of their last eight games by shutouts.
