Arizona punches ticket to WCWS with Super Regional win over Mississippi State
After a win in extras on Friday, Arizona got to celebrate a bit earlier on Saturday.
The Wildcats are going back to the Women’s College World Series after using a seven-run inning to race away from Mississippi State at the Starkville Super Regional and take the best-of-three series 2-0.
Entering the frame down 1-0, the Wildcats’ offense exploded for seven runs in the bottom of the fourth. Carlie Scupin got Arizona started with a two-run homer to take a one-run lead over the Bulldogs. With the bases loaded, Bailey Thompson drew an RBI walk to add to Arizona’s lead. Janelle Meoño then scored two and Sharlize Palacios followed with a two-RBI single to give Arizona a six-run lead.
From then on, Mississippi State was held firmly in check.
Devyn Netz, who picked up her 15th win of the season in the complete-game effort, retired the side in order to begin the fifth inning. The Bulldogs got a two-out walk in the sixth, but immediately were caught out on a straight-line shot to right field to end the inning. The Bulldogs had just four plate appearances without threatening in the seventh.
Netz (15-7) allowed just five hits while striking out two Mississippi State batters. Aspen Wesley (9-9) was saddled with the loss for the Bulldogs.
The Wildcats (38-20) are headed to their 25th Women’s College World Series. Arizona will face 7-seed Oklahoma State (46-12) to open its stay at the WCWS.