Lead Image by Bob Drebin/ISIPhotos.com
TUCSON, Ariz. – Hannah Howell robbed a home run in the fifth inning but Stanford could not keep pace with No. 4 Arizona's offense, dropping the series finale, 9-1, in five innings Sunday afternoon.
Arizona's (40-1, 12-0 Pac-12) Katiyana Mauga hit two home runs – a three-run homer and a two-run homer – and nearly had a third but was robbed in the fifth inning by a great catch by Howell in left field.
For the third game in a row, home runs were the difference with the Wildcats adding four in the finale to finish the weekend with 15. Eight of Arizona's nine runs came on home runs.
When the ball stayed in the park, Stanford's defense was terrific and made multiple quality plays throughout the game to limit Arizona's offense.
Lauren Wegner was consistent at second base and helped the Cardinal turn double plays in the third and fourth innings. The second double play was particularly impressive as she fielded a hard-hit ground ball with a tricky spin and got the ball to Kylie Sorenson at second base quick enough to turn the double play.
Howell started in left field and had a busy day, making six catches including a home run saving catch at the wall in the bottom of the fifth inning. Mauga sent a high fly ball to left field, Howell found the wall and reached over it to make the catch.
Two double plays and a catch at a wall - Stanford's defense was on display today. #GoStanford https://t.co/EwGLlPv32i
— Stanford Softball (@StanfordSball) April 9, 2017
Highlights from Stanford's defeat at No. 4 Arizona.
The excitement of the catch would be short-lived as the Wildcats' Mo Mercado and Jessie Harper hit back-to-back home runs in the following at-bats to extend Arizona's lead to 9-1 and end the game by run rule.
Stanford's offense got off to a slow start with its first nine batters being retired but the Cardinal broke through in the fourth inning.
Sorenson hit a leadoff double over Arizona's centerfielder's head. It was Sorenson's 12th hit in the past 14 games and fourth double in the last eight contests.
Bessie Noll brought Sorenson in with a double of her own down the right field line to cut Arizona's advantage to 5-1.
Montana Dixon was hit by a pitch in the following at-bat to put two on with two out. Noll and Dixon advanced to second and third during the next at-bat but a strikeout ended the potential rally.
Whitney Burks reached base and advanced to second to lead off the top of the fifth inning but Stanford could not capitalize and cut into Arizona's lead.
Carolyn Lee (7-12) made her second start of the series in the circle. After a tough first inning, Lee settled in nicely and pitched well but fell victim to Arizona's home run hitting.
The Cardinal will look to rebound next weekend when it returns home for a three-game series against Arizona State beginning Thursday at 4 p.m. (PT).