In a series of closely contested games, Arizona experienced mixed results in their recent Pac-12 encounters. The Wildcats suffered a 6-1 defeat to Utah, significantly narrowing their lead in the Pac-12 standings to just one game. Despite this setback, Arizona managed to even the series in a subsequent game where Mason White homered twice and pitcher Clark Candiotti, improving his season record to 6-2, led the team to an 8-4 victory over Utah. This win ensured that Arizona would maintain its lead over Utah in the standings. In another critical matchup, Arizona fell to UCLA 6-5 in the Pac-12 softball tournament semifinals after surrendering a late lead, with a go-ahead home run from ex-Cat Palacios sealing the victory for UCLA.
Mason White homers twice, Clark Candiotti shuts down Utah as Arizona evens pivotal series https://t.co/LAjBT5J0qz
Dean Curley single puts runners on the corners with one out, Bottom4
Final from Salt Lake: Arizona 8, Utah 4. Clark Candiotti improves to 6-2. Mason White goes yard twice. Series will be decided Sunday evening. No matter what happens, Arizona will remain ahead of Utah in the Pac-12 standings.
Two-run bomb for Utah cuts Arizona's lead to 6-3 in B7. Wildcats are going to have to work to pull this out.
Thru 5: Arizona 5, Utah 1 Clark Candiotti so far: 5 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K (66 pitches, 44 for strikes)
Three-run bomb for Andrew Cain to left-center. The kid's got natural power (a la fellow Oro Valley Little Leaguer Mason White). Arizona 5, Utah 0, T4.
Arizona again surrenders sizable late lead to UCLA, falls 6-5 in Pac-12 softball tourney semis https://t.co/BgmDjgBy1E
UCLA 6, Arizona 5 Due up in the seventh: Altmeyer Kennedy Shockey If anyone gets on: Scupin Skaggs
UCLA has come all the way back, again, against Arizona. Bruins up 5-4. Ex-Cat Palacios with the go-ahead HR. Announcers wondering when UA might make a pitching change.
Billy Amick leads off the eighth with a single. Really good, really mature AB there.
Solid two-strike single there for Billy Amick with one out in the top of the third.
Stanton puts runners at the corners with a single with two outs in the fourth. Stanton has hit safely in 13 of his last 17 games
Arizona bats miss wakeup call in 6-1 loss to Utah; Wildcats' lead in Pac-12 down to 1 game https://t.co/UEnM7ic0gA
First hit for Arizona comes with two outs in T4, and it's a triple by Emilio Corona. (Related: Brendan Summerhill has hit the ball well twice. Just got under both a bit. Wouldn't surprise me if he got one at some point today.)