FULLERTON, Calif. – Thirteenth-ranked Arizona softball fell to No. 1 Florida (10-0, 6 innings) and No. 14 Auburn (20-2, 5 innings) to open the Judi Garman Classic.
Arizona returns to action on Saturday when it faces Long Beach State at 7:30 p.m. PST.
Game 1 – No. 1 Florida 10, No. 13 Arizona 0 (6 innings)
In its first game of the Judi Garman Classic, Arizona was run-ruled by the defending national champion Florida Gators, 10-0 in six innings.
The top-ranked Gators (25-0) hit three home runs, including a Taylore Fuller sixth-inning grand slam, to pace an offense which plated 10 runs on 12 hits.
Meanwhile, Arizona managed just three hits off UF starter Delanie Gourley (7-0), who struck out three and walked two in the game.
Michelle Floyd (8-3) was charged the loss, giving up five runs, four earned, in five innings. The sophomore allowed eight hits and struck out three to go along with two walks in the contest.
Nancy Bowling entered to pitch the fifth inning and gave up five runs on four hits without recording an out. Siera Phillips entered to get the final three outs of the game.
It was Arizona’s first shutout of 2015 and first since an 8-0, five-inning loss at then-No. 11 Washington on May 4, 2014.
Game 2 – No. 14 Auburn 20, No. 13 Arizona 2 (5 innings)
Arizona suffered its worst loss in school history as the Wildcats fell in five innings to the 14th-ranked Tigers (24-1) 20-2.
Auburn scored four runs in the first, six in the second, three in the third, four in the fourth and three in the fifth, for the most runs scored against Arizona in school history.
Trish Parks’ second-inning home run represented Arizona’s only offense in the contest.
The Cats used four pitchers, with Parks (8-2) suffering the loss. Parks gave up seven runs, six earned, over one inning. Michelle Floyd gave up six runs, four earned, over two innings of relief. Siera Phillips allowed seven runs in an inning and a third while Nancy Bowling got the final two outs of the game without giving up a run.
For more information on Arizona softball, check out www.arizonawildcats.com and be sure to follow the team’s Twitter and Instagram accounts (@UA_Softball).
