Utah softball shuts down No. 19 Arizona to even series
Arizona still controls its Big 12 destiny after Oklahoma State lost to Kansas
Arizona softball prepares for a game against Utah in Salt Lake City on May 1, 2026 | Photo courtesy of Arizona Athletics Utah needed a win to hold onto any hopes of getting into the Big 12 Softball Tournament. A lackluster outing by the No. 19 Arizona Wildcats gave them that hope.
The Utes dominated in all aspects of play on the way to a 5-1 victory in Salt Lake City. Arizona managed just five hits. One of those resulted in an out, though, as Kez Lucas was thrown out trying to stretch a single into a double to lead off the sixth inning.
It might have started a rally. Instead, it was another nail in the coffin on a day of futility. The loss could have opened the door for Oklahoma State to leap over Arizona in the Big 12 standings.
A win by the Cowgirls would have tied the two teams on record, but OSU holds the tiebreaker. Instead, Kansas proved it’s no pretender with a 10-1 victory in five innings in Stillwater. That result means the Wildcats retain second place and continue to control their own destiny.