It wasn't exactly an opening of the floodgates, but a three-run second-inning home run by UCLA's Kennedy Powell off Arizona starter Aissa Silva allowed the No. 2 Bruins to get rolling downhill en route to an 8-0 win over the Wildcats Friday night at Hillenbrand Stadium.
The first of a three-game set in Tucson between the two long-time Pac-12 rivals, UCLA (37-4, 13-3 Pac-12) followed that second inning with a two-run homer by Maya Brady in the third, a solo shot by Aaliya Jordan in the fifth, and a two-RBI single by Jordan in the seventh.
Arizona's right fielder Tayler Biehl (2) just misses coming down with the catch as UCLA’s Aaliyah Jordan (23) gets a solo homer in the fifth inning of their Pac 12 softball game at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., April 14, 2023.
The Wildcats scattered eight hits themselves, but left 10 on base and failed to cross home plate. It was the first time Arizona was shutout since a 10-0 loss to Stanford last May 13.
No. 24 Arizona (24-16, 3-10) and the Bruins are back at Hillenbrand Saturday at 1 p.m. before closing out the series Sunday at noon. Saturday's matchup is set for broadcast and live stream through the Pac-12's Oregon channel, while Sunday's game (like Friday's opener) will be nationally televised via Pac-12 Network.
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Silva was pulled in the third before recording an out. The freshman's final numbers: five earned runs on five hits, with one strikeout in two-plus innings in the circle.
She made way for senior Ali Blanchard who allowed three earned runs on four hits while walking three and striking out one in 4 ⅓ innings. Freshman Sydney Somerndike was spotless, with one strikeout, in ⅔ of an inning.
Out of the other dugout, UCLA's Megan Faraimo threw six innings of scoreless ball, giving up five hits and striking out six while walking one. Lauren Shaw threw one inning of relief work, allowing two hits and striking out two.
Arizona's offense scattered those seven hits, with freshman Dakota Kennedy the only UA player to record more than one hit, finishing 2 for 3. In all Arizona left 10 runners on base.
With nine hits themselves, the Bruins, for that matter, only had two batters end up with more than a single hit: Jordan, who went 3 for 4 with those three RBIs, and Anna Vines who was 2 for 3.
Arizona's batter Devyn Netz (34) looks heavenward after taking a called third strike with the bases loaded for the final out in the Wildcats’ 8-0 loss to UCLA at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., April 14, 2023.
Former Wildcats Sharlize Palacios, catching for UCLA Friday night, and Janelle Meono in centerfield both went hitless in a combined five at bats in their former home park.
Both were starters for Arizona each of the last two seasons — they were key components of the UA's Women's College World Series team from a year ago — before transferring to UCLA after last season. Meono won the Pac-12 batting title as a sophomore in 2021 for the Wildcats after hitting .442 during the regular season that year.
The Pac-12's leading hitter this season going into Friday night, Arizona's Olivia DiNardo — she came in at .454, No. 14 nationally and tops among all Division I freshmen — went 0 for 4 Friday.
Photos: University of Arizona falls 8-0 to UCLA, Pac 12 softball
University of Arizona softball vs UCLA
Arizona's shortstop Sophia Carroll (00) gets to a high chopper by UCLA batter Anna Vines (20) but can’t get the out, giving up an infield single in the second inning of their Pac 12 softball game at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., April 14, 2023.
University of Arizona softball vs UCLA
Members of the bleacher crowd react to a two-run homer by UCLA's Maya Brady landing in their midst in the third inning against Arizona at Hillenbrand Stadium on April 14, 2023. The hit staked the Bruins to a 5-0 lead.
University of Arizona softball vs UCLA
Arizona’s third baseman Blaise Biringer keeps a shot down the line by UCLA batter Jordan Woolery in front of her and recovered to record the third Bruin out in the first inning of their Pac-12 softball game at Hillenbrand Stadium on April 14, 2023.
University of Arizona softball vs UCLA
Arizona's starter Aissa Silva (3) gloves a high chopper by UCLA’s Aaliyah Jordan (23) to get an out in the second inning of their Pac 12 softball game at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., April 14, 2023.
University of Arizona softball vs UCLA
Arizona's right fielder Tayler Biehl (2) just misses coming down with the catch as UCLA’s Aaliyah Jordan (23) gets a solo homer in the fifth inning of their Pac 12 softball game at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., April 14, 2023.
University of Arizona softball vs UCLA
UCLA’s second baseman Anna Vines (20) gets the good hop to throw out Arizona batter Sophia Carroll (00) in the fifth inning of their Pac 12 softball game at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., April 14, 2023.
University of Arizona softball vs UCLA
Arizona's batter Dakota Kennedy (4) drops a surprise bunt for a hit against UCLA in the fifth inning of their Pac 12 softball game at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., April 14, 2023.
University of Arizona softball vs UCLA
UCLA’s shortstop Maya Brady (7) can’t handle the grounder by Arizona leadoff hitter Allie Skaggs (9) in the sixth inning of their Pac 12 softball game at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., April 14, 2023.
University of Arizona softball vs UCLA
UCLA’s shortstop Maya Brady (7) tags Arizona runner Allie Skaggs (9) on her way to third for a fielder’s choice in the sixth inning of their Pac 12 softball game at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., April 14, 2023.
University of Arizona softball vs UCLA
Arizona's right fielder Tayler Biehl (2) gets driven to the track on a liner by UCLA batter Megan Grant (43) in the seventh inning of their Pac 12 softball game at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., April 14, 2023.
University of Arizona softball vs UCLA
Arizona's infielder Sophia Carroll (00) runs down a bloop into no-man’s land behind second base to throw out UCLA hitter Sharlize Palacios (13) in the seventh inning of their Pac 12 softball game at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., April 14, 2023.
University of Arizona softball vs UCLA
Arizona's Sophia Carroll (00) dives in ahead of the tag from UCLA’s third baseman Rachel Cid (27), going from first to third on a slicing single into left by pinch hitter Izzy Pacho in the seventh inning of their Pac 12 softball game at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., April 14, 2023.
University of Arizona softball vs UCLA
Arizona runner Paige Dimler (22) just beats the tag from UCLA’s first baseman Alyssa Garcia (19) on a pick-off attempt in the seventh inning of their Pac 12 softball game at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., April 14, 2023.
University of Arizona softball vs UCLA
Arizona's batter Devyn Netz (34) looks heavenward after taking a called third strike with the bases loaded for the final out in the Wildcats’ 8-0 loss to UCLA at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., April 14, 2023.
University of Arizona softball vs UCLA
UCLA reliever Taylor Tinsley (32) gets loose in the bullpen late the game against Arizona at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., April 14, 2023.
University of Arizona softball vs UCLA
Arizona pitcher Brianna Hardy (11) takes some throws in the bullpen just before first pitch against UCLA at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., April 14, 2023.
University of Arizona softball vs UCLA
Arizona's Olivia DiNardo takes some long throws from center field as the Wildcats get warmed up to face UCLA in a Pac-12 softball game at Hillenbrand Stadium on April 14, 2023.
Arizona pitcher Devyn Netz set a new career high Friday, March 31, with 11 strikeouts in Arizona's 6-0 win over San Diego in the Bear Down Fiesta at Hillenbrand Stadium in Tucson. Netz's complete game shutout included three hits and two walks. Video courtesy Arizona Athletics (via Twitter)
