Sam Goodcase got the Yale softball team off to a fast start by homering in the first inning against No. 8 Arizona. For a while, it looked like that might be enough for the Bulldogs to pull off a big upset. Pitcher
Nicole Conway shut down the Wildcats' high-powered offense for the first four innings. Arizona, though, scored twice in the fifth and three times in the sixth to escape with a 5-1 victory before a big crowd of 2,566 in Tucson.
The game was part of the Bear Down Fiesta. In its first game of the day, Yale fell to Marist 9-0.
Against Arizona, Goodcase finished 2-for-3.
Katie Donahey also had a hit for the Bulldogs.
Conway pitched all six innings.
Devyn Netz tossed a three-hitter for Arizona. She struck out eight and did not issue a walk.
In the opener against the Red Foxes, Donahey was 2-for-3 and
SJ Mull also had a hit.
Marist scored four runs in the first inning to seize control.
The Bulldogs play two more games in the tournament on Saturday – vs. UNLV at 1 p.m. EST and a rematch with Marist at 3:15 p.m. EST.