Friday’s game featured another change to the UA lineup: Ashleigh Hughes was once again hitting in the leadoff spot.
She batted last, too.
Hughes belted a walk-off home run in the ninth inning and the 11th-ranked Arizona Wildcats beat No. 22 Cal 3-2 at Hillenbrand Stadium. The UA will go for the sweep on Saturday.
Hughes said she had struggled in the box throughout the game, hitting a lot of pop-ups, but entered the ninth inning hopeful.
“I was just trying to stay on top of something and it actually worked in my favor,” Hughes said.
Cal’s left fielder Bradie Fillmore appeared to get a glove on Hughes’ blast, but the bobbled ball skipped away and onto the pavement on the other side.
“I had no idea if she had caught it or not,” Hughes said. “I actually stopped and was like, ‘Did she catch it, did she not catch it?’ but then Coach was like, ‘C’mon!’ So I was like ‘OK.’”
The Wildcats improved to 2-2 this season in extra innings.
“Wow. That’s all I have to say. It was quite a game,” UA coach Mike Candrea said. “Sometimes you feel good when you’re the home team, and that’s the reason why.”
The Wildcats jumped to an early 2-0 lead thanks to a solo homer by Alyssa Palomino in the first inning and an RBI single by Jenna Kean on a fielder’s choice to score pinch runner Jaycee Lindley. The Golden Bears responded with two runs in the next inning to tie the game.
Arizona got two runners on base with one out in the seventh but wasn’t able to convert. The UA’s Tamara Statman walked in the eighth and Aleah Craighton singled to left field. Candrea called on pinch hitter Joelle Krist, who took a four-pitch walk.
With bases loaded on two outs, Candrea turned to a second pinch-hitter — this time Hillary Edior.
However, Edior struck out and the game continued.
Inside pitch
- The UA’s Reyna Carranco walked out of the dugout during team introductions to big cheers. The sophomore, who had been absent since suffering a concussion and facial fracture in last week’s series, watched Friday’s game from the dugout in street clothes. Candrea said Carranco did a little bit of catching on Friday but isn’t expected to practice until at least next week. “I think she’s progressing very well,” Candrea said. Hopefully we’ll get her back at practice next week, put a mask on her and see what she can do.”
