NCAA Softball Tournament results: Arizona advances to Knoxville Regional Final

Domination by Danielle

For the 26th time in the last 27 years, the Arizona Wildcats have advanced to a Regional Final through the winner's bracket. Arizona took down Regional host Tennessee by a score of 4-0 on Saturday.

This time, it's all about Danielle O'Toole.

O'Toole, who won a 2-0 decision against Ohio State earlier in the day, was setting down Tennessee Volunteers left and right, essentially throwing a perfect game after allowing a leadoff single, retiring the final 21 batters she faced.

The Arizona offense would finally reward her for her efforts in the sixth.

Ashleigh Hughes started the inning off with a ground out, but Mo Mercado singled to third base to get a runner on base for Katiyana Mauga.

Arizona's slugger, who hit a home run for the only two runs scored against Ohio State earlier in the day, lifted one deep to right, smacking it off the wall for a long single. Mercado read the play well though, and was able to advance to third base.

This brought up reigning Pac-12 Player of the Week Nancy Bowling. She kept up her hot nine days or so, smacking a single to center field to score the first run of the game.

A wild pitch advanced Bowling and Mauga into scoring position for senior Lauren Young.

Young pushed a single through the right side, expanding Arizona's lead to two runs.

That's when Tennessee would make a pitching change. But the Wildcats would still score one more, thanks to a long sac fly from Tamara Statman.

The Wildcats tacked on the fourth and final run in the game's final frame. Eva Watson and Mandie Perez started the 7th inning off with a couple of singles.

Mauga would step up to the plate with the bases loaded and one out after a Mercado walk.

Tennessee would keep Mauga in the infield this time, but Watson beat the throw home for the force out. Later on the play, Perez would try to catch Tennessee sleeping, but she was thrown out at the plate, and smashed into the catcher, shaking both players up a bit.

O'Toole finished the game off with a strikeout, her 7th of the game.

Arizona will not have to play again until 11:30 AM PT on Sunday. Whoever they face will have to win three games on Sunday to get out of the Regional. The Wildcats will only have to win once.

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