The Arizona softball team snapped its six-game losing streak Wednesday with a sweep over visiting New Mexico State 7-3 and 9-0.
The wins came after No. 13-ranked UA (29-12) had been swept at Oregon and at home against UCLA.
UA starting pitcher Alyssa Denham allowed only two hits while striking out a season-high eight batters in the second game of the doubleheader, which UA won via the mercy rule.
The sophomore said she believed the victories were a great way to give the team a need boost.
βWe need wins, but I think it was very good for us to prove to ourselves that we really are a good team,β Denham said.
Overall, Arizonaβs offense was on fire Wednesday. The Wildcats belted a total of six home runs and out-hit the Aggies 7-2 in Game 1 and 7-3 in Game 2.
Alyssa Palomino started the scoring in each game with a two-run homer to give the Wildcats an early 2-0 lead after one inning. Dejah Mulipola added fuel to the fire with two home runs of her own, with both coming in Game 1.
βI think putting runs up on the board each inning helped us a lot,β Mulipola said. βCoach talks a lot about scoring early and scoring in the end and I think we did that throughout the game.β
The Aggies looked to make a comeback late in Game 1 to upset the Wildcats. Down 7-0 with only one hit entering the sixth inning, New Mexico State took advantage of a few walks and a double to score three runs.
But the comeback fell short and the Arizona defense shut down New Mexico State in the top of the seventh to hold on to the win.
The Wildcats next travel to No. 8 Arizona State to play their fourth Top-10 opponent in Pac-12 Conference play.
