TUCSON -- Arizona softball pitchers hurled their third shutout of the season on Thursday as the Wildcats cruised to a 5-0 victory over Grand Canyon in the first game of the Hillenbrand Invitational.
Freshman Michelle Floyd earned her first career start and pitched three innings of one-hit ball. Shelby Babcock (1-0) earned the win in relief, pitching the final four innings and allowing just two hits. The senior walked one and struck out six.
Kellie Fox and Chelsea Goodacre homered in the contest, the second home run of the season for each player. Fox's first-inning solo shot gave the Cats (4-0) a lead they would not relinquish, Goodacre added a three-run shot in the third inning.
Fox's homer was one of two hits for the junior, giving her three multi-hit games on the season. For the year, Fox is 7 for 11 (.636) with two homers and 11 RBI.
Kelsey Rodriguez notched Arizona's other RBI with a single that scored her sister Courtney in the second inning.
On the season, Arizona has outscored its opponents 40-2 over four games. Thursday's game was the first that did not end via the mercy rule.
The shutout improved the Wildcats' team ERA to 0.64.
