TUCSON, Ariz. – The 22nd-ranked Arizona softball team (28-17, 5-9 Pac-12) gave up a school-record seven home runs and dropped a 13-3 decision to No. 18 UCLA (29-15, 6-12 Pac-12) on Friday evening at Rita Hillenbrand Stadium.
UCLA hit five home runs in the first three innings to take an 8-0 lead.
The Bruins plated 13 runs on 16 hits, the most allowed by Arizona all season; the previous high was 11.
Estela Piñon pitched 2 1/3 innings and allowed five runs on four hits with a walk and two strikeouts. The junior fell to 9-7 on the year. Nancy Bowling was touched up for eight runs, six earned, on 12 hits with five walks and five strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings pitched of relief.
Arizona had six hits off UCLA starter Jessica Hall (5-5), including a two-run homer by Lauren Young. Kelsey Rodriguez had two hits and an RBI on the day.
In the first inning, the Bruins' Ally Carda hit a solo home run to straightaway center for the second consecutive game in the first inning to give UCLA the early 1-0 lead.
UCLA broke the game open in the top of the second, recording three home runs that resulted in six runs.
A solo home run started the inning. Piñon was able to record two quick outs from a ground ball and strikeout, but UCLA responded with a double and walk to put runners on second and first. On a 3-1 count, UCLA’s Stephany LaRosa homered to right field, forcing Piñon to be replaced by Nancy Bowling. UCLA then hit its third home run of the inning, a two-run shot to center field with the runner on first to make it 7-0.
After the Bruins tacked on another run in the top of the third, the Wildcats scored their first run in the bottom half. With one out, Hallie Willson drew a walk and advanced to second from a sacrifice bunt by Chelsea Suitos. Wilson scored from a base hit by Kelsey Rodriguez.
Arizona recorded a home run of its own in the bottom of the fifth. After Chelsea Goodacre singled, Lauren Young drove a pitch past the 220-foot mark of the center-field wall to make it 8-3.
The three runs were all that Arizona was able to produce, though, as UCLA added five more to pull away and even the series at a game apiece.
