Friday’s doubleheader was a tale of two games.
The UA softball team struggled in its early afternoon game against Wisconsin, managing only one run on three hits in what would become a 1-0 Wildcat Invitational win over the Badgers.
In Game 2, the Wildcats came out swinging from the first at-bat.They belted four home runs and amassed 13 hits on the way to a 10-2 win over San Diego.
“Yeah, our bats weren’t really rolling,” redshirt senior Aleah Craighton said of the first game. “We try to find that person to give us that energy and it’s kind of hard whenever everyone’s struggling. So, once everyone’s on, we’re really good.”
Palomino started Game 2 rout with a solo home run. Reyna Carranco was hit by a pitch and then brought home on a double by Jessie Harper.
A two-run homer by Craighton gave the Wildcats the early 4-0 lead.
In the second inning, Jenna Kean got on base with a single and, while Palomino was at bat, stole second to get in scoring position.
Palomino then singled to bring in Kean for a 5-1 advantage.
The following inning, Craighton hit her second homer of the game and Malia Martinez hit her second homer of the season to bring the Wildcats up to 7-1.
Craighton was struck out the next time at the plate. Had the Louisiana transfer belted a third home run, it would have tied Katiyana Mauga’s record for most in a game; the Pac-12’s all-time home runs leader hit three against Utah in 2015.
However, Craighton said hitting a third homer wasn’t on her mind at her third at-bat against the Toreros, who — coincidentally — now employ Mauga as a volunteer assistant coach.
“I don’t think I ever go up to the plate trying to hit a home run, I just try to have my best at-bat,” Craighton said. “Whatever I can get, I’ll take.”
The remaining three runs came on RBI singles from Carli Campbell, Palomino and Carranco.
Craighton and Palomino finished with three RBIs each.
Craighton is hitting .366 with a .732 slugging percentage.
“I just feel like I’m in my groove,” Craighton said. “This is the normal me, how I hit.”
Hanah Bowen improved to 3-2 in the five-inning win. The freshman struck out two while walking one and allowing wo runs.
Palomino, Carranco and Martinez accounted for Arizona’s 3 hits against Wisconsin.
Taylor McQuillin pitched the shutout win, striking out 11 Badgers and allowing four hits in seven innings. McQuillin improved to 13-1.
Although the Wildcats struggled offensively, Bowen said the team had high spirits throughout.
The Wildcats (18-2) continue in the home tournament Saturday with games against South Carolina-Upstate at 9 a.m. and Wisconsin at 11 a.m.
“The energy level was amazing during the first game, so I knew that would carry throughout the (second) game,” Bowen said.
