The first three times the Arizona softball team loaded the bases Sunday, it failed to produce a hit.
That changed the fourth time around
Ivy Davis belted a grand slam to left in the bottom of the sixth inning to end the game and give UA a 9-1 mercy-rule win over visiting Oregon State at Hillenbrand Stadium.
It was the first walk-off homer for the freshman utility player. It was also the first grand slam for Arizona this season.
“We had a ton of base runners on the whole game, so (I was) just trying to get those hits, keep that rhythm going and everyone going,” Davis said. “I wasn’t really trying to hit one out.”
Sunday’s win concluded a sweep of Oregon State, and improved the Wildcats to 35-13 overall and 11-10 in the Pac-12.
Sunday was the second run-rule win this weekend. Arizona outscored Oregon State 24-3 over the three days.
“It was a good weekend. I thought we came out and did some good things, especially at the plate,” coach Mike Candrea said. “I thought we had really good discipline at the plate, made some good adjustments, didn’t panic with two strikes.”
Oregon State struggled throughout the game. After making three errors Friday and two Saturday, the Beavers’ defense made three more errors Sunday.
Jessie Harper reached base on a double in the third and then came home on an OSU error. The next Beavers’ error loaded the bases, which allowed Davis to deliver a sacrifice fly to bump the score to 2-0.
Oregon State responded in the fourth with a solo homer to cut the score in half, but that was the only time the Beavers were able to score.
In the bottom frame, with two outs and Reyna Carranco on base, Dejah Mulipola and Aleah Craighton each drew walks to load the bases again. After a 2-0 count on Malia Martinez, Oregon State decided to pull its starting pitcher.
In 3º innings, the Beavers’ Mariah Mazon allowed five hits and four runs (two earned), and walked six over 92 pitches.
In comparison, Arizona’s Taylor McQuillen (21-9) had a total of 96 pitches. But she did it over six innings, and only allowed one earned run while striking out eight and walking two.
Mazon’s reliever, Meehra Nelson, couldn’t help the Beavers out of the jam.
Martinez and Joelle Krist each drew a walk, adding two runs to Arizona’s score before Davis’ slam closed out the game.
Krist joined the lineup just hours before the game as a replacement for Alyssa Palomino. Palomino was pulled out of Saturday’s game in the last inning due to knee soreness.
“I was surprised, just because I know (Alyssa) powers through her pain and she plays really well, but I was also excited when I got back in there,” Krist said.
On Sunday, Palomino was in street clothes with the majority of her left leg wrapped and in a brace. However, Candrea said there was no need to worry. Palomino strained her knee and, because of her two previous ACL injuries, Candrea decided to rest his first baseman and give her four days off to recover.
Candrea said the decision to use Krist as Palomino’s sub was an easy one. Even though she hasn’t had a major role this season, he’s seen her working hard to stay ready.
“She’s been very positive all year,” Candrea said.
Davis said Candrea’s quick thinking and ability to change lineups at any moment inspires the bench to stay focused and game-ready.
“Basically, knowing that coach makes his decisions in any second and knowing that I can get in … I have to be ready every pitch, every inning, every game, every day,” Davis said.
