The No. 7-ranked University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ softball team split its first two games of the season Friday at the Kajikawa Classic in Tempe.
The Wildcats beat Northwestern 4-1 in the opener but fell to No. 24 Oklahoma State 9-4 in the night game.
Alyssa Palomino hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth inning to break a 1-1 tie against Northwestern.
Taylor McQuillin picked up the win in relief with two scoreless innings. Starter Alyssa Denham went five innings, allowing only an unearned run.
Ashleigh Hughes, Reyna Carranco and Carli Campbell all had two hits for UA.
Oklahoma State scored four runs in the first inning to take charge quickly in the second contest.
McQuillin (1-1) took the loss, allowing five runs in three innings. Hanah Bowen came on in relief and gave up four runs in three innings.
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Hughes went 2 for 4 with a homer and two RBIs against the Cowboys. Her blast in the top of the fifth cut Oklahoma State's lead to 6-3. Dejah Mulipola also added two hits in the loss.
Madi Sue Montgomery hit two homers for Oklahoma State, which lost 8-2 to Oregon State earlier in the day.
UA (1-1) will play UC Davis at 11:45 a.m. Saturday and Fresno State at 5 p.m.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s first home game of the year will be at 6 p.m. Thursday against Colorado State at the Hillenbrand Invitational.
