Jordan Hamm
While it was two very different paths to get there, Arizona and Arizona State both find themselves in the Super Regionals in a quest to the Women’s College World Series.
First, Arizona went on the road to Missouri and upset the No. 15 Tigers in regional play to advance. The Wildcats were a perfect 3-0 this weekend. Arizona kicked off the regional with an 8-3 win over Illinois on Friday before posting consecutive shutouts against Missouri on Saturday and Sunday. A Sharlize Palacios solo shot was enough as the Wildcats eliminated the Tigers in a 1-0 game on Sunday.
The Cats will play Mississippi State, who upset No. 2 Florida in the Gainesville regional, next weekend in the Super Regionals.
Arizona State came into the tournament as the No. 8 overall seed, and many felt the the Pac-12 champions were under-seeded. The Sun Devils went perfect with 5-2 win over Cal State Fullerton on Friday before playing San Diego State on Saturday and Sunday. The Aztecs put up a good fight, but ASU came away the region champs after an 8-4 victory on Sunday.
The Sun Devils will host Northwestern in a Super Regional in Tempe next weekend.
Seven Pac-12 teams entered regional play and so far five of those teams have advanced. Along with Arizona and ASU, UCLA, Stanford and Oregon State have advanced. Oregon was eliminated in the Fayetteville region and Washington will play Texas in a decisive Game 7 to determine that region’s winner.
