The Arizona softball team continues to make things hard on itself with the postseason approaching.
After ending a lengthy league losing streak and taking a Pac-12 series last weekend, the UA dropped the opener of a three-game set against Cal by an 8-6 score Friday at Hillenbrand Stadium.
Arizona (27-23, 5-17 Pac-12) lost the opener against Oregon State last weekend before rallying, and the Wildcats will have to do it again to better position themselves for the upcoming Pac-12 Tournament.
After Acacia Anders' three-run homer gave the Golden Bears (32-17-1, 8-13-1) a 5-4 lead in the top of the fifth inning, Allie Skaggs knotted the score with a solo home run, her team-leading 13th of the season.
The tie was short-lived, as the Golden Bears put up another three-spot in the sixthΒ β with all three runs coming with two outs.
Izzy Pacho's RBI single to left made it 8-6 in the bottom of the seventh. Pinch-hitter Ali Ashner came to the plate with runners on first and second with one out. Ashner hit a harder grounder to third that turned into a game-ending 5-3 double play.
Arizona was 2 for 10 with runners in scoring position. Cal was 5 for 8. The Bears also hit 5 for 12 with two outs, while the Wildcats were 1 for 8.
Devyn Netz, who came on in relief in the third inning, allowed six runs on six hits in 4β frames.
Game 2 is slated for 6 p.m. Saturday.
Arizona center fielder Jasmine Perezchica robs Oregon State of a home run in the first inning of their game on April 30, 2023, at Hillenbrand Stadium. (video via Arizona Softball Twitter)
