TUCSON, Ariz. -- Taylor McQuillin threw her second one-hit shutout of a ranked team this season, holding 22nd-ranked California to just a bloop two-out single in the top of the fourth inning, leading No. 11 Arizona to a 3-0 victory in game 1 of the three-game series at Hillenbrand Stadium on Thursday. 

The shutout is McQuillin's NCAA-leading ninth of the year; tonight's joins her Feb. 24 one-hitter of No. 4 Oklahoma and March 10 four-hitter of No. 24 USC Upstate as shutouts vs. ranked teams this season. McQuillin's victory kept her tied atop the NCAA leaders in wins with 17 as well. McQuillin struck out eight and did not walk or hit a batter in the masterpiece.

Ashleigh Hughes tallied her fifth career three-hit game, going 3-for-3 in the No. 2 hole in the UA lineup, normally occupied by Reyna Carranco, who remains out with a concussion. In addition to three hits, Hughes also stole three bases, becoming the first Wildcat with three steals since 2012.

Freshman Jenna Kean entered Thursday with 0 career RBI. She notched RBI No. 1 and 2 in her career with a single in the second and then a sacrifice fly in the fourth. They were the first two runs the Wildcats scored in the game. Malia Martinez posted the third RBI for Arizona.

McQuillin outdueled Cal ace Zoe Conley, who allowed three runs on six hits with four walks and two strikeouts. She fell to 10-8 on the year.

Arizona opened the scoring in the bottom of the second. Kean recorded her first career RBI, plating Carli Campbell from second on a two-out single up the middle to put the Cats on top 1-0.

Kean plated another run in the fourth with a sacrifice fly to double the Cats' lead.

In the fifth, Hughes led off with with her third hit and promptly stole her third base, becoming the first Wildcat since Karissa Buchanan (5/12/12) to steal three bases in a game. She moved to third and then scored on a Malia Martinez groundout to give UA a 3-0 lead.

Up next: Arizona and Cal face off in game 2 of the series on Friday at 6 p.m. MST.

Follow the Wildcats: Be sure to follow the team on Twitter and Instagram (@ArizonaSoftball) to keep up with the team.