The Arizona softball team's offense got back on track Friday, but the Wildcats couldn't hold a lead in falling 12-7 to No. 11-ranked Washington at Hillenbrand Stadium.
No. 19 UA (19-11, 0-7 Pac-12) had scored just two total runs in its first six Pac-12 games, but used a four-run fifth inning to take a 7-5 lead against the Huskies in the opener of a three-game series.
Arizona left fielder Jasmine Perezchica tracks down a foul liner from Washington's Lilly Agan for the final out to bail the Wildcats out of a bases-loaded, nobody out jam in the second inning.
Washington (21-10, 2-5) quickly struck back, scoring seven times in the sixth to go up by five. Neither team scored again as the Wildcats' losing streak reached seven.
The teams meet again at 1:30 p.m. Saturday in a game that will air on the Pac-12 Network.
Paige Dimler and Carlie Scupin both homered for UA. Dimler's two-run homer in the fourth gave the Wildcats a 3-1 lead. After Washington scored four times in the fifth to go up 5-3, Scupin's two-run shot tied the game at 5.
Arizona third baseman Izzy Pacho makes the throw on a bang-bang play on a bunt by Washington's Megan Vandegrift in the sixth inning.
Blaise Biringer andΒ Dimler added RBI singles later in the fifth to put the Wildcats up 7-5. Biringer finished 3 for 3.
Devyn Netz (8-5) took the loss in relief, allowing five runs in one inning. Starter Hanah Bowen had given up four earned runs in 4 2/3 innings.
Washington catcher Olivia Johnson went 3 for 3 with two homers and three RBIs and also scored three times.
Photos: University of Arizona doomed by seven-run sixth inning in 12-7 loss to Washington, Pac 12 softball
University of Arizona Wildcats vs Washington Huskies
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Arizona left fielder Jasmine Perezchica (21) tracks down a foul liner from Washington's Lilly Agan (00) the final out to bail the Wildcats out of a bases loaded nobody out jam in the second inning of their Pac 12 softball game at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., April 1, 2022.
University of Arizona Wildcats vs Washington Huskies
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Arizona shortstop Sophia Carroll, right, had to deal with concussion symptoms and missed 11 games before returning against Washington last week.
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Washington second baseman Kinsey Fiedler (20) looks to the ump for confirmation after tagging out Arizona outfielder Jasmine Perezchica (21) on a stolen base attempt in the fifth inning of their Pac 12 softball game at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., April 1, 2022.
University of Arizona Wildcats vs Washington Huskies
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Arizona third baseman Izzy Pacho (15) makes the throw on a bang-bang play on a bunt by Washington's Megan Vandegrift (2) in the sixth inning and the Wildcats clinging to a 7-5 lead of their Pac 12 softball game at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., April 1, 2022.
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Arizona shortstop Sophia Carroll (00) gets a good bounce to field a grounder from Washington's Baylee Klingler (8) for the second out in the the sixth inning of their Pac 12 softball game at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., April 1, 2022.
University of Arizona Wildcats vs Washington Huskies
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Arizona third baseman Izzy Pacho (15) gets the throw late as Washington's Madison Huskey (9) slides in with an RBI triple in the sixth inning of their Pac 12 softball game at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., April 1, 2022.
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Arizona shortstop Sophia Carroll (00) puts the tag on Washington infielder Kinsey Fiedler (20) in their Pac 12 softball game at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., April 1, 2022.
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Arizona second baseman Allie Skaggs (9) brings in a grounder from Washington's Lilly Agan (00) to end the Husky fifth at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., April 1, 2022.
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Washington shortstop Baylee Klingler (8) can't track down a shot up the middle by Arizona's Allie Skaggs (9) to drive in the Wildcats' first run of the night in the first inning of their Pac 12 softball game at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., April 1, 2022.
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Arizona's Izzy Pacho (15) leads the cheers from the dugout after Allie Skaggs (9) brought home the first run of the game in the bottom of the first against Washington at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., April 1, 2022.
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Arizona's Blaise Biringer (30) watches her hit go to the wall for a double in the fourth inning against Washington at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., April 1, 2022.
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Arizona second baseman Allie Skaggs (9) ranges into right field to glove a pop-up by Washington's Sami Reynolds (10) in the seventh inning of their Pac 12 softball game at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., April 1, 2022.
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Arizona's Carlie Scupin (20) watches her two RBI homer clear the fence and pull the Wildcats into a 5-5 tie in the fifth inning against Washington at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., April 1, 2022.
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Arizona's Paige Dimler (22) comes around third past coach Lauren Lappin on her to RBI homer in the fourth and 3-1 lead over Washington at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., April 1, 2022.
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Arizona center fielder Giulia Koutsoyanopulos (55) slams into the wall after making a stab at fly ball from Washington's Madison Huskey (9) that ended up an RBI triple in the sixth inning of their Pac 12 softball game at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., April 1, 2022.
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Arizona runner Amber Toven (36) passes through a patch of sunlight leading off second against Washington in their Pac 12 softball game at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., April 1, 2022.
