PALM SPRINGS, Calif. -- Arizona split Thursday's doubleheader at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic, falling to Texas A&M, 7-6, before shutting out 18th-ranked Missouri, 2-0, in the nightcap.

Arizona (10-2) will continue the invitational on Friday, with games against San Diego State (11 a.m.) and No. 7 Florida (1:30 p.m.) scheduled.

Game 1: Texas A&M 7, #5 Arizona 6

Texas A&M erased a 5-0 Arizona lead, using a five-run sixth inning to come from behind and hand Arizona its second loss of the season.

The Wildcats (9-2) scored the game's first five runs and later led 6-2 entering the sixth inning, but the Aggies (10-3) scored five runs in the sixth to take the lead. Arizona threatened in both the sixth and seventh innings, but twice stranded the tying run in scoring position.

Mariah Lopez (6-2) took the loss for the Wildcats, allowing two runs, one earned, in 1.2 innings of relief. She relieved Alyssa Denham, who allowed five runs on five hits with six strikeouts and three walks.

The Cats drew first blood in the bottom of the first inning, plating a trio of unearned runs on a Malia Martinez three-run home run to straight-away center field with two out. She scored Alyssa Palomino-Cardoza, who singled, and Jessie Harper, who reached on an error.

Arizona added two more in the bottom of the third inning when Sharlize Palacios ripped an RBI single to center and Ivy Davis scored a run with a groundout to put the Cats up 5-0.

After Texas A&M hit a two-run homer in the top of the fourth, the Wildcats responded with a run in the home half. UA loaded the bases with nobody out and came away with a run on a Palacios infield single.

Texas A&M then scored five runs against two Wildcat pitchers in the top of the sixth inning to take the lead.

Game 2: #5 Arizona 2, #18 Missouri 0

Mariah Lopez pitched a three-hit shutout, striking out eight Tigers and pitching the Wildcats past 18th-ranked Missouri, 2-0 to close out the night.

Lopez improved to 7-2 on the season with the gem. She allowed three hits with eight strikeouts and three walks.

Jessie Harper hit her 70th career home run in the game, a solo shot in the fourth inning. She became the 28th player in NCAA history and seventh Willdcat to reach the mark. Her homer was one of six hits for the Wildcats. Malia Martinez followed Harper's homer with a triple and then scored on a Sharlize Palacios sacrifice fly, representing Arizona's entire offensive production for the night.

Harper and Marissa Schuld led the Wildcats with two hits apiece.

The victory was Arizona's second win this season vs. a ranked opponent in three tries.

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