Arizona softball: Wildcats rout No. 6 Washington 12-0 behind 8-run first inning

This game was decided quickly

This game was over shortly after it started.

Arizona softball scored eight runs in the first inning as they run-ruled the No. 6 Washington Huskies 12-0 in five innings on Saturday afternoon at Hillenbrand Stadium.

“Good performance,” said head coach Mike Candrea, who picked up his 1,499th career victory. “We were hitting on all cylinders and unfortunately over my career I’ve been on both sides of those things. It’s tough to go through. They’re a very good team, and today was our day.”

The Wildcats (31-1, 5-0 Pac-12) tallied nine hits in the first frame and brought 14 batters to the plate in what was a 45-minute inning.

Freshmen Dejah Mulipola and Alyssa Palomino each drove in two runs in the inning.

“Our thing is always ‘pass the bat’ and that’s exactly what we did,” Palomino said.

In total, the Wildcats amassed 12 hits in the ballgame and added three more runs in the bottom of the third before Palomino capped off the day with a solo homer in the fourth inning.

Palomino went 3-for-3 with four RBIs, while Mulipola was 3-for-4 with two RBIs. Arizona’s 12 runs were the most it has scored against a top-10 team since 2010.

“Nothing really surprises us anymore because we know what we can do and we know that we can out here and get 12 runs against a team like that,” Palomino said.

Taylor McQuillin (10-0) went the distance for the Wildcats, tossing five scoreless innings, logging five strikeouts, while allowing two hits and two walks.

“Honestly, today wasn’t one of my better days,” she said. “Things weren’t moving quite as well as they have in the past, but I still went out there and the eight-run cushion in the first inning was great.

“I think our team came out pounding, pounding, pounding and so I wanted to go out there make sure the door got slammed in [Washington’s] face every time.”

McQuillin’s shutout comes one night after Danielle O’Toole tossed her first career no-hitter.

“I think her confidence on the field helps carry our team and it definitely got me pumped to come out today and say ‘you know what, I can beat them too,’” McQuillin said of O’Toole.

“I definitely think that Danielle set the table and we’re going to keep rolling with it.”

The Wildcats will go for the sweep of the sixth-ranked Huskies on Sunday. First pitch at Hillenbrand Stadium is scheduled for 12 p.m. PST.

Candrea is one victory shy of 1,500 career wins.

“We’re playing this game tomorrow for coach,” Palomino said. “So we’re just going to come out here and stay relaxed.”

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