The brooms were brought out once again in the No. 23 Arizona Wildcatsβ final weekend tournament of their three-week homestand, as UA swept through the Hillenbrand Invitational, winning all six games to extend their winning streak to seven overall.
This is the Wildcatsβ 22nd time sweeping the event in 28 tournaments, as well as their first sweep since 2021. UA is now 138-8 in the tournament all-time.
βAnytime we get to play at home in front of our fans, I think we have a big advantage,β Arizona coach Caitlin Lowe said.
UAβs bat remained hot throughout the weekend, averaging 12 hits, 6.8 RBIs and 1.1 home runs per contest.
Senior outfielder Jasmine Perezchica led the Wildcats (16-1) over the six games, logging 10 hits and three RBIs.
In an 18-hour period, Perezchica hit two walkoff singles β one coming in a 10-9, 14-inning thriller against Indiana on Saturday, where she also piled up four hits β and the other to take down Central Michigan on Sunday afternoon to secure the tournament sweep.
βI just think sheβs keeping it simple and playing her game,β Lowe said following the nine-inning 5-4 victory over the Chippewas (1-9). βI think if you caught her freshman and sophomore year, she might have tried to do too much in those situations. She knows that if she can get on base, weβre going to do good things. Iβm just really really proud of her for staying the course and being true to herself and playing her game. β¦ Sheβs really just made the most out of her opportunities.β
Perezchica noted that she was just trying to get the job done when asked about her two clutch performances.
βBunt, slap, just do whatβs expected of me,β Perezchica said.
UA right-handed pitchers Miranda Stoddard and Aissa Silva notched a 2.16 ERA over the six games and illustrated their ability to display sustained success in the circle throughout the weekend.
This was especially demonstrated Sunday afternoon, where both Stoddard and Silva, having pitched over 15 combined innings Saturday, combined to only allow one earned run in 6β innings for the come-from-behind victory.
βMiranda has been great all weekend, sheβs been put into a lot of positions and same with Aissa,β Lowe said. β... Aissa was on fumes today, I mean she threw 10.1 yesterday and found a way to compete for us. β¦ We were technically in our seven-plus game right there and we just had to figure out a way to win.β
The Wildcats will now leave Tucson for the first time this season as they get set to fly to Tuscaloosa to play in the Crimson Classic from Friday-Sunday, where they are slated to take on Northern Iowa and No. 10 Alabama twice before facing South Alabama.
Lowe believes that departing from home with not as many fans or people in the dugout supporting the team will be the teamβs next challenge.
βWeβre gonna have to do our speaking with our gloves and our bats and our energy that we leave on the field,β Lowe said. βThatβs our next test to kinda level up our game and take it on the road and really go after some people.β
A hostile environment and getting out of their comfort zone is what Perezchica said the team expects in Tuscaloosa this upcoming week but she said that βweβll be ready.β
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VIDEO:Β Ahead of the start of her teamβs 2024 season, Arizona softball coach Caitlin Lowe speaks on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024 on the Wildcats being unranked, and how thatβs βappropriateβ for a team trying to rebound after a rare NCAA Tournament miss in 2023. (Courtesy Arizona Athletics)
Photos: Day three of the Candrea Classic, Arizona wins in a run-rule shutout against North Texas
Arizona first baseman Carlie Scupin (20) celebrates with teammates at the end of the fourth inning against North Texas on day three of the Candrea Classic at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., Feb. 10, 2024.Β Arizona softball takes a 8-0 run-rule win against North Texas.
Arizona infielder Blaise Biringer (30) slides into home base scoring the Wildcats a run in the match against North Texas on day three of the Candrea Classic at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., Feb. 10, 2024.Β Arizona softball takes a 8-0 run-rule win against North Texas.
Arizona outfielder Paige Dimler (22) practices her swing before she steps up to bat in the match against North Texas on day three of the Candrea Classic at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., Feb. 10, 2024.
Arizona infielderβs Tayler Biehl (2) throws the ball to Arizonaβs first baseman after she catches a North Texas hit on day three of the Candrea Classic at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., Feb. 10, 2024.
Arizona pitcher Aissa Silva (3) winds her arm back before she releases the ball in the game against North Texas on day three of the Candrea Classic at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., Feb. 10, 2024.
Arizona's Carlie Scupin (20) celebrates with her teammates after a home run against North Texas on day three of the Candrea Classic at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., Feb. 10, 2024.
Arizona catcher Olivia DiNardo (26) runs through first base before North Texas infielder Kailey Gamble (23) catches the ball in the first inning during day three of the Candrea Classic at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., Feb. 10, 2024.Β Arizona softball takes a 8-0 run-rule win against North Texas.
Arizona infielder Tayler Biehl (2) gives her coach a high five after the run-rule shutout win against North Texas on day three of the Candrea Classic at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., Feb. 10, 2024.
Arizona infielder Tayler Biehl (2) slides into home base just before the North Texas catcher can get the out on day three of the Candrea Classic at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., Feb. 10, 2024.
Arizonaβs Brooke Mannon (15) pitches against North Texas in the 5th inning on day three of the Candrea Classic at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., Feb. 10, 2024.
Arizona utility Regan Shockey (25) sprints to first base as outfielder Zaedi Tagalog (5) attempts to score a run against North Texas on day three of the Candrea Classic at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., Feb. 10, 2024.
Arizona infielderβs Tayler Biehl (2) and Allie Skaggs (9) chat before the start of the fourth inning against North Texas on day three of the Candrea Classic at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., Feb. 10, 2024.
Arizona utility Regan Shockey (25) stays alert during the match against North Texas on day three of the Candrea Classic at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., Feb. 10, 2024.
Arizona utility Kaiah Altmeyer (24) catches a fly ball from a North Texas hitter on day three of the Candrea Classic at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., Feb. 10, 2024.
Wildcats greet Arizona catcher Olivia DiNardo (26) at home base after a home run in the match against North Texas on day three of the Candrea Classic at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., Feb. 10, 2024.
Arizona starting pitcher Aissa Silva (3) throws the ball in the match against North Texas on day three of the Candrea Classic at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., Feb. 10, 2024.
Arizona utility Regan Shockey (25) gets a base hit in the match against North Texas on day three of the Candrea Classic at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., Feb. 10, 2024.
Arizona relief pitcher Brooke Mannon (15) warms up before she steps up to pitch against North Texas in the fifth inning on day three of the Candrea Classic at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., Feb. 10, 2024.
Arizona outfielder Dakota Kennedy (4) runs after a base-hit in the match against North Texas on day three of the Candrea Classic at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., Feb. 10, 2024.
The chilly winter temperatures don't stop Wildcat fans from flocking to Hillenbrand Stadium to watch the Arizona match against North Texas on day three of the Candrea Classic, Feb. 10, 2024.
Arizona infielderβs Tayler Biehl (2) greets her teammates on the pitch before the start of the game against North Texas on day three of the Candrea Classic at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., Feb. 10, 2024.
Photos: Day Two of the Candrea Classic, University of Arizona softball
Lipscomb's catcher Jack Busch (22) slaps the tag on Arizona's Kaiah Altmeyer (24) inches short of the plate and stopping the game ending run on Jasmine Perezchicaβs fielderβs choice in the fifth inning on day two of the Candrea Classic at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., February 9, 2024. The Wildcats eventually got their run-rule eighth score on a Bison wild pitch moments later.
Arizona's left fielder Dakota Kennedy (4) goes horizontal to nab a sinking liner in the gap from Lipscomb's Brenna Sherman (00) and end the Bison fourth in their game on day two of the Candrea Classic at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., February 9, 2024.
Arizona's runner Regan Shockey (25) gets into third with a stolen base as North Texas's shortstop Cierra Simon (9) misses the tag in the third inning of their game on day two of the Candrea Classic at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., February 9, 2024.
Arizona's first baseman Carlie Scupin (20) beats the throw from second to North Texas's first baseman Kailey Gamble (23) spoiling a double play and keeping the Wildcat half of the fourth inning alive on day two of the Candrea Classic at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., February 9, 2024.
Arizona's Dakota Kennedy (4) gets the high-fives after slapping the game ending RBI single against North Texas in the fifth inning of their 8-0 win on day two of the Candrea Classic at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., February 9, 2024.
Arizona's head coach Caitlin Lowe awaits the pre-game meeting at home plate as the Wildcats get ready to take on Lipscomb for their first game of the night on day two of the Candrea Classic at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., February 9, 2024.
Arizona's third baseman Blaise Biringer (30) takes the high hopping grounder from Lipscomb's Katelyn Belding at the start of the Bison half of the second inning of their game on day two of the Candrea Classic at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., February 9, 2024.
Lipscomb's center fielder Elle Smith (43) canβt get to the shot off the wall from Arizona's Emily Schepp (00) that drove in the Wildcatsβ first two runs of the night in the second inning of their game on day two of the Candrea Classic at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., February 9, 2024.
Arizona starting pitcher Brooke Mannon deals in the third inning against Lipscomb on Day Two of the Candrea Classic at Hillenbrand Stadium on Friday, Feb. 9, 2024.
Arizona's third baseman Blaise Biringer (30) has to range well into the shortstopβs hole to track down a pop-up by Lipscomb batter Jack Busch (22) in the third inning of their game on day two of the Candrea Classic at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., February 9, 2024.
Arizona's starting pitcher Ali Blanchard (17) cranks a throw against Lipscomb on day two of the Candrea Classic at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., February 9, 2024.
Arizona's Logan Cole (23) rips an RBI single up the middle and off Lipscomb second baseman Josey Polkβs (8) glove in the fifth inning of their game on day two of the Candrea Classic at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., February 9, 2024.
Arizona's shortstopTayler Biehl (2) gets a good bounce on a grounder from North Texas batter Tatum Sparks (24) in the second inning of their game on day two of the Candrea Classic at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., February 9, 2024.
Arizona's right fielder Jasmine Perezchica (21) gets a drive to the wall from North Texas batter Rylee Nicholson (5) in the third inning of their game on day two of the Candrea Classic at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., February 9, 2024.
Arizona's batter Regan Shockey (25) awaits a pitch during the Wildcatsβ second game of the night against North Texas at the Candrea Classic at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., February 9, 2024.
Arizona's shortstop Tayler Biehl (2)) gestures back to catcher Emily Schepp (00) after her pinpoint throw nailed North Texas's Cierra Simon (9) on a stolen base attempt in the third inning of their game on day two of the Candrea Classic at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., February 9, 2024.
Arizona's pinch hitter Paige Dimler (22) celebrates her double against North Texas that put two Wildcats in scoring position in the third inning of their game on day two of the Candrea Classic at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., February 9, 2024.
Arizona's relief pitcher Aissa Silva (3) eyes the plate as she throws against North Texas in the fourth inning of their game on day two of the Candrea Classic at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., February 9, 2024.
Arizona's centerfielder Regan Shockey (25) races down a screamer into the left field gap by North Texas's Tatum Sparks (24) in the fifth inning of their game on day two of the Candrea Classic at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., February 9, 2024.
Arizona's first baseman Carlie Scupin (20) gets a slow roller to retire North Texas's batter Rylee Nicholson (5) to retire the Bison in the fifth inning of their game on day two of the Candrea Classic at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., February 9, 2024.
Photos: Arizona softball opens 2024 season with a 9-1 run-rule win over Utah Tech
Arizona's Regan Shockey (25) twists her way past the lunging tag from Utah Tech's catcher Rachel Campbell (7) in the bottom of the fourth inning trying to score the second run on an RBI single by Dakota Kennedy in the Wildcatsβ season opener at Hillenbrand Stadium for the Candrea Classic, Tucson, Ariz., February 8, 2024. Campbell eventually tagged out Shockey but the Wildcats plated four in the inning.
The throw from third is too tall for Utah Tech's first baseman Oaklee Trapp (22) and Arizona's Regan Shockey (25) reaches on the error in the third inning of the Wildcatsβ season opener at Hillenbrand Stadium for the Candrea Classic, Tucson, Ariz., February 8, 2024.
Arizona's Dakota Kennedy (4) gets hit by a pitch but was ruled to have been over the plate and was charged a strike in the in the third inning of the Wildcatsβ season opener at Hillenbrand Stadium in the first game of the Candrea Classic, Tucson, Ariz., February 8, 2024.
Utah Tech's catcher Rachel Campbell (7) finally delivers the tag on Arizona's Regan Shockey (25) after a chase around plate in the bottom of the fourth inning in the Wildcatsβ season opener at Hillenbrand Stadium for the Candrea Classic, Tucson, Ariz., February 8, 2024.
Utah Tech's third baseman Drew McKown (33) canβt get a glove on the throw as Arizona's Blaise Biringer (30) slides into the bag in the fifth inning on a single by Emily Schepp in the Wildcatsβ season opener at Hillenbrand Stadium for the Candrea Classic, Tucson, Ariz., February 8, 2024. Biringer ended up scoring on the error what turned out to be the final run in Arizonaβs run-rule 9-1 win.
Arizona's Carlie Scupin (20) watches her solo homer clear the centerfield fence, tying the score at 1-1 against Utah Tech in the first inning of the Wildcatsβ season opener at Hillenbrand Stadium for the Candrea Classic, Tucson, Ariz., February 8, 2024.
Arizona's starter Miranda Stoddard (11) deals from the circle in the second inning against Utah Tech at Hillenbrand Stadium for the Candrea Classic, Tucson, Ariz., February 8, 2024.
Utah Tech's Sadie Gardner (9) manages to just avoid the tag from Arizona's shortstop Tayler Biehl (2) and swipe second in the third inning of the Wildcatsβ season opener at Hillenbrand Stadium for the Candrea Classic, Tucson, Ariz., February 8, 2024.
Arizona's second baseman Allie Skaggs (9) gets a generous hop to throw out Utah Tech's Laura Lockard (25) in the fourth inning of the Wildcatsβ season opener at Hillenbrand Stadium for the Candrea Classic, Tucson, Ariz., February 8, 2024.
Arizona's centerfielder Regan Shockey (25) is driven to the warning track on a shot to the gap from Utah Tech's LB Kahahawai-Kekona (8) in the fourth inning of the Wildcatsβ season opener at Hillenbrand Stadium for the Candrea Classic, Tucson, Ariz., February 8, 2024.
Arizona's second baseman Allie Skaggs (9) ranges into centerfield to track down a blooper Utah Tech's Rachel Campbell (7) in the fourth inning to retire the Trailblazers during the Wildcatsβ season opener at Hillenbrand Stadium for the Candrea Classic, Tucson, Ariz., February 8, 2024.
Arizona's shortstop Tayler Biehl (2) tracks down a grounder from Utah Tech's Drew McKown (33) in the fifth inning of the Wildcatsβ season opener at Hillenbrand Stadium for the Candrea Classic, Tucson, Ariz., February 8, 2024.
Utah Tech's center fielder LB Kahahawai-Kekona (8) runs down a bloop fly by Arizona's Allie Skaggs (9) in the fourth inning of the Wildcatsβ season opener at Hillenbrand Stadium for the Candrea Classic, Tucson, Ariz., February 8, 2024.
Arizona's shortstop Tayler Biehl (2) gloves a high-hopper from Utah Tech batter Sadie Gardner (9) in the fifth inning of the Wildcatsβ season opener at Hillenbrand Stadium for the Candrea Classic, Tucson, Ariz., February 8, 2024.
Arizona's Aissa Silva delivers in relief in the fifth inning against Utah Tech in the opener of the Candrea Classic at Hillenbrand Stadium on Feb. 8.
Arizona's shortstop Tayler Biehl (2) slaps the tag on Utah Tech's Baylee Howley (37) as she fails to steal second in the first inning of the Wildcatsβ season opener at Hillenbrand Stadium for the Candrea Classic, Tucson, Ariz., February 8, 2024.
Arizona's third baseman Blaise Biringer (30) fires to first toss out Utah Tech's Drew McKown (33) in the second inning of the Wildcatsβ season opener at Hillenbrand Stadium for the Candrea Classic, Tucson, Ariz., February 8, 2024.
