OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Dejah Mulipola's two-run homer to center field in the top of the eighth inning powered Arizona to a 3-1 win over Washington on Thursday in the opening game of the Women's College World Series.
Mulipola's 23rd homer of the season helped the Wildcats (48-12) beat the third-seeded Huskies for the first time in four tries this season.
It was a triumphant return to the World Series for sixth-seeded Arizona, which has 23 appearances but hadn't qualified since 2010.
Washington pitcher Taran Alvelo pitched a complete game and struck out 11, but the third-seeded Huskies (50-8) failed her by leaving nine runners on base.