Wildcats fall behind early but come back to top Cyclones 11-3 at Hillenbrand Stadium on Friday night.
By John McKelvey Special to the Arizona Daily Star A mound visit to settle pitcher Devyn Netz, an error by second baseman Allie Skaggs, and the Arizona softball team was out of sorts early Friday evening.
The head coach’s fiery response fueled the Wildcats forward. Paige Dimler delivered her first career homer and snared Sophia Carroll in a crushing hug at the plate to cap the four-run third inning. The sophomore has dug herself out of an early-season slump by recording at least one hit in four of her last five games. Arizona needs her in the lineup due to her shortstop skills, which were on display in Friday’s first inning when she threw across nearly the entire diamond to get a girl out at first.
Koutsoyanopulos was thrust into action due to an injury to Janelle Meono. Last year’s Pac-12 Freshman of the Year sported a boot around her left leg, missing her first game of the season. Jasmine Perezchica took Meono’s spot in both center field and the leadoff spot, which has been exclusively Meono’s since March 10, 2021.
The senior had been away from the team, back at her home in California, due to “health reasons.” She allowed seven runs in her last appearance, a 7-6 loss to No. 16 Kentucky on Feb. 19, but this time she pitched a scoreless inning, allowing one walk with two strikeouts.