Good pitching, solid defense and timely hitting are the three keys to winning softball games.
Arizona coach Mike Candrea recites them frequently.
But the third one escaped his team Friday as it hit 2 for 13 with runners in scoring position in a 2-1 loss to No. 3 Washington.
“We knew coming in that Washington is a good team and it was going to be a pitching duel,” Candrea said. “The big thing tonight is we left nine runners on base. We couldn’t get a key hit when we needed to. Can’t complain about our effort.