Utah run-rules No. 19 Arizona, knocking Wildcats to 3rd in Big 12 standings
The series loss makes things much more complicated for Arizona in the postseason
Arizona pitching coach Christian Conrad talks to the Arizona infield in a game against Arizona State on Mar. 22, 2026 | Photo by Ryan Kelapire For the second straight day, the No. 19 Arizona Wildcats failed to find success against Utah pitcher Hailey Maestretti .
Maestretti kept the Arizona bats in check through seven innings on Saturday then returned 24 hours later to throw a five-hitter on Sunday. The six-inning 10-2 Utah victory secured a spot in the Big 12 Tournament for the Utes and dropped Arizona to the three seed after Oklahoma State beat Kansas in Stillwater. That three seed will be a problem for Arizona.
With the elimination of the bottom three teams from the conference tournament, the six seed will not play the 11 seed on the opening day of the tournament while No. 3 waits in the wings. Instead, Arizona State and a rested Kenzie Brown will be waiting for the Wildcats on the opening day of the tournament.
The Sun Devils will not have to decide whether to pitch their ace against the No. 11 seed but can walk out on day one and throw her against the No. 3 seed.
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