CLEARWATER, Fla. – The No. 10 Wildcats knocked off their first ranked opponent of the season when they beat No. 8 Virginia Tech, 6-2 on Saturday night at the Clearwater Invitational.
 
Arizona (6-3) scored six runs on seven hits with six RBI. Olivia DiNardo went 2-for-3, hitting her first career double and home run to help the Cats win.
 
Devyn Netz (4-2) earned the complete-game win, striking out a season high six batters and allowing only four hits.
 
It was a pitcher's duel through three innings, but the Cats hit back-to-back doubles in the fourth to take a 1-0 lead in the game. Dakota Kennedy hit her first career double and Allie Skaggs drove Kennedy home with an RBI double.
 
DiNardo led off in the fifth with a double and Kaiah Altmeyer brought her in with an RBI single to give Arizona a 2-0 lead. Virginia Tech hit a solo home run in the bottom of the fifth to make it a one-run game.
 
The Cats exploded for four runs in the seventh to extend their lead to 6-1. DiNardo hit her first career home run – a solo shot to left field – and Blaise Biringer hit a three-run homer.
 
In the bottom of the seventh, the Hokies scored on an RBI double, but Arizona made three quick outs to secure the win.
 
Up Next:
Arizona will close out the Clearwater Invitational against Indiana on Sunday, Feb. 19 at 10 a.m. MST on ESPN+.