No. 19 Arizona softball secures series vs Houston with 2nd straight run-rule victory

Arizona designated player Tele Jennings celebrates reaching first base with assistant coach Christian Conrad on Apr. 25, 2026 | Photo courtesy of Arizona Athletics Freshman Rylie Holder doesn’t consider herself a strikeout pitcher at the college level. It’s all about the ground balls and double plays.

Those were key in Arizona softball’s 8-0 victory over Houston on Saturday afternoon, but the five strikeouts against the Cougars didn’t hurt, either. The mark tied her career high. “That’s pretty good,” Holder said.

She was more impressed by the work she and her defense did together. “I was just letting my D work, just trusting my spin, trusting myself, and then letting them hit the ball how I want them to,” Holder said. “I have all those ground balls, almost exactly what I want.

It’s a good outing for me. ” Holder pitched all five innings of the mercy-rule game. Of the 15 outs she got, five came on strikeouts, six came on ground balls, and just one was in the air.