TUCSON, Ariz. - Five Bluejay errors helped contribute to three unearned runs in a 6-0 softball loss at seventh-ranked Arizona Thursday night. The Bluejays managed just two hits against Arizona ace Taryne Mowatt in the shutout loss which moved the Wildcats to 12-4 on the year and dropped the Bluejays to 12-7.
The Wildcats struck in the first inning with back-to-back singles to start the frame. Arizona cleanup hitter Jenae Leles drove in Brittany Lastrapes with an infield single to give UA a 1-0 lead after one.
Arizona picked up three unearned runs in the third with the aid of just one hit and four Bluejay errors. Cyndi Duran and K'Lee Arredondo reached on errors, and Duran scored when Arredondo stole second and CU catcher TJ Eadus threw the ball into center field. Leles picked up another RBI, driving in Arredondo, and Leles scored on a throwing error off Stacie Chambers' grounder.
Down 4-0 after three innings, head coach Brent Vigness pulled Bluejay starter Tara Oltman (7-4). The sophomore right-hander allowed just one earned run in three innings of work, while striking out three and issuing no walks.
The Bluejays put together their best scoring threat in the fourth inning when Eadus ? a Tucson native ? walked with one out and was followed by a single off the bat of Renae Sinkler. But Mowatt got Michelle Graner to ground into a double play to end the inning.
Tucson native Amanda Hess hurled the final three innings for the Jays, allowing two hits and two runs to go along with two walks and two strikeouts. UA added single tallies in the fifth and sixth to make the score 6-0.
Mowatt improved to 6-3 in the win, striking out 12 in the two-hit shutout.
Jessi Jadlowski led off the game with a single for the second straight game against a ranked opponent, but was left on base.
