(Photo Courtesy of Arizona Athletics)
TUCSON – Arizona softball pitchers hurled their third shutout of the season as UA cruised to a 5-0 victory over Grand Canyon in the first game of the Hillenbrand Invitational.
Freshman Michelle Floyd earned her first career start and pitched three innings of one-hit ball. Shelby Babcock earned the win in relief, pitching the final four innings and not allowing a run on two hits. The senior walked one and struck out six.
Kellie Fox and Chelsea Goodacre homered in the contest, the second home run of the season for each player. Fox’s first-inning solo long ball gave the Cats (4-0) a lead they would not relinquish; Goodacre hit a three-run shot in the third inning.
Fox’s homer was one of two hits for the junior, her third multi-hit game on the season. For the year, Fox is 7-for-11 (.636) with two homers and 11 RBI.
Kelsey Rodriguez notched Arizona’s remaining RBI with a single that scored her sister Courtney in the second inning.
On the season, Arizona has outscored its opponents 40-2 over four games. Thursday’s game was the first that was not ended via the mercy rule.
UA’s shutout improved on the stellar team ERA of 0.64.
The Hillenbrand Invitational continues Friday with four games on the docket. Arizona will take on New Mexico at 4:00 p.m. MST.
Complete Hillenbrand Schedule
Thursday, Feb. 13
ARIZONA 5, Grand Canyon 0
Friday, Feb. 14
11:00 a.m. Grand Canyon vs. Tennessee State
1:00 p.m. Grand Canyon vs. Alabama
4:00 p.m. ARIZONA vs. New Mexico
6:00 p.m. Alabama vs. Tennessee State
Saturday, Feb. 15
9:00 a.m. New Mexico vs. Grand Canyon
11:00 a.m. Tennessee State vs. Grand Canyon
1:00 p.m. Alabama vs. New Mexico
4:00 p.m. ARIZONA vs. Tennessee State
6:00 p.m. ARIZONA vs. Alabama
Sunday, Feb, 16
9:00 a.m. New Mexico vs. Tennessee State
11:00 a.m. ARIZONA vs. Alabama
1:00 p.m. ARIZONA vs. Grand Canyon
