The Arizona softball team wrapped up its weekend with an 8-0 blanking of Southern Utah in five innings Sunday. Arizona won all five of its games at the Hillenbrand Invitational, outscoring its opponents 44-7 to improve to 8-3 on the year.
Jessica Spigner shut out the Thunderbird offense and allowed only four base runners while carrying a no-hit bid into the fifth. Spigner improved to 2-0 with the victory. The transfer from Tennessee also helped herself out at the plate, launching a two-run home run in the third inning.
Brigette Del Ponte hit a grand slam in the contest, her third homer of the season.
Shelby Pendley batted in the first run of the game with an RBI single to center, her team-leading 18th RBI of the year.
Spigner, who retired 12 of the first 13 batters she faced in the circle, hit a two-run homer in the third.
The Cats plated five runs on four hits in the top of the fifth. Chelsea Goodacre began the inning with a long fly to right field, but Mikkel Griffin robbed Goodacre of a home run, snatching the ball at the wall. Karissa Buchanan singled, Hallie Wilson walked and Chelsea Suitos singled to load the bases with one out, and Del Ponte then brought them all home with a grand slam to left. With the bases clear, Spigner was hit by a pitch and Lini Koria doubled. Kristen Arriola then brought in a run with a groundout to the right side to give Arizona an 8-0 lead.
With the weekend sweep, Arizona improved to 77-3 all-time in the Hillenbrand Invitational.
Hillenbrand Invitational results
Friday, Feb. 17
Western Kentucky 9, North Dakota 2
Southern Utah 5, Western Kentucky 4
UAB 2, Southern Utah 0
Arizona 7, UAB 0
Arizona 14, North Dakota 2 (5 innings)
Saturday, Feb. 18
Southern Utah 4, North Dakota 1 (8 innings)
UAB 9, North Dakota 8
Western Kentucky 3, UAB 2
Arizona 6, Western Kentucky 4
Arizona 9, Southern Utah 1 (5 innings)
Sunday, Feb. 19
Western Kentucky 6, UAB 0
North Dakota 6, Southern Utah 1
Arizona 8, Southern Utah 0 (5 innings)
