Don’t tell Ole Miss how difficult it is to navigate the heart of Arizona’s softball lineup. The Rebels know.

Ole Miss remembered the three-run blast that Arizona cleanup hitter Dejah Mulipola hit in Saturday’s first inning, and wanted nothing to do with her in the second.

So they intentionally walked the fifth-year senior to get to redshirt freshman Sharlize Palacios, who promptly hit a grand slam. Then, in the sixth, Ole Miss tried to pitch to Mulipola again, and she hit a two-run blast that cleared the bleachers in left.

Arizona second baseman Reyna Carranco attempts to field a ball during the first inning of Saturday’s NCAA Regional win over Ole Miss.

That’s the kind of punishing power Arizona has displayed in spurts this season. The Wildcats delivered in a crucial moment Saturday on the way to a 12-6 NCAA Regional semifinal victory over the Rebels. The UA (38-13) can secure a spot in the Super Regional with a win over Ole Miss (36-21) on Sunday. The first game will be played at 5 p.m.; if Arizona loses, it’ll play a winner-take-all game at 7:30.

Villanova eliminated UMBC 4-3 Saturday night, advancing to play Ole Miss later in the evening. Ole Miss won that game 6-2, eliminating Villanova.

Watch Now: Dejah Mulipola and Sharlize Palacios combine for nine RBIs in Arizona's 12-6 win over Ole Miss

The big blasts are β€œsomething we have been missing, that key hit and being able to blow a game open,” UA coach Mike Candrea said. β€œI really felt like, when they walked Dejah, that Palacios could hurt them if she got a good pitch. That was good to see.”

The catching tandem of Mulipola-Palacios has been the most consistent part of the Arizona lineup.

They lead the Wildcats in homers β€” Mulipola has 19, two more than Palacios’ 17 β€” and RBIs, amassing a combined 112. Neither has gone more than four straight games without getting on base at any point this season. Mulipola has recorded a hit in 39 of 51 games.

β€œI love that she’s a catcher with me and that she’s right behind me,” Mulipola said. β€œShe’s always cheering me on. We’re always rooting for each other, and we just want the best. We want each other to succeed, and I know as long as she’s in the lineup and behind me, I’m in good hands, regardless what I do.”

On Saturday, the whole lineup caught fire.

Malia Martinez cracked two singles, and Janelle MeoΓ±o had two hits with a walk that started the first-inning three-run rally. Jessie Harper had a sacrifice fly for an insurance run in the sixth, and Alyssa Palomino-Cardoza lined a double off the wall for another.

Watch Now: Mike Candrea says Arizona 'didn't hit the panic button' in win over Ole Miss

After scoring just 16 runs in their last eight games against ranked opponents, Arizona scored eight against an Ole Miss squad that received votes in the latest poll and chased starting pitcher Savannah Diederich from the circle.

And that was just in the first two innings.

β€œWe’re having a lot of fun right now,” Palacios said. β€œNow we’re playing different teams, and it’s a whole different ballgame. Nobody remembers what you did in the Pac-12. We’re just having a good time, enjoying each other and enjoying the game.”

However, the Rebels (35-21) didn’t go quietly. They responded with a pair of home runs from Abbey Latham and Autumn Gillespie to chase Arizona starter Alyssa Denham with two outs in the fourth. Gillispie, who went 2 for 2 with three RBIs, also hit a home run against Denham in the 2019 NCAA Super Regional.

Leading 8-0 and seemingly headed for a run-rule victory, Arizona had its lead shrunk to two runs by the fourth inning. Pitchers Mariah Lopez and Hanah Bowen then shut the door in relief. Bowen’s biggest moment came when she fired a rise ball past Gillespie for strike three with two on and no outs in the sixth.

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