TUCSON, Ariz. – The Wildcats entered Saturday with 16 victories over top-ranked teams in school history. But Arizona made history in game 2 of its series with defending national champion and No. 1 Florida State with an 11-3, five-inning win over the Seminoles. It marked the first time in Arizona's illustrious history that UA run-ruled the nation's top team.
 
The Cats did so by plating 11 runs on 12 hits, including two Dejah Mulipola home runs, to overwhelm four Florida State pitchers. Eight different Wildcats recorded hits in the game including multi-hit efforts from Reyna Carranco, Mulipola, Hannah Martinez and Jenna Kean.
 
Meanwhile, Gina Snyder, making her fourth career start, shut down the nation's top offense, allowing three runs on four hits with four strikeouts and five walks. She improved to 3-0 with the victory.

In her third start of the year, @_ginasnyder took down the defending national champs. Here's what she had to say ?? pic.twitter.com/fNbIfGLKWp

— Arizona Softball (@ArizonaSoftball) March 10, 2019

 
Mulipola's home runs were her ninth and 10th of the season and second and third of the weekend. She drove in four runs with her two, two-run homers.
 
Arizona's top four hitters did the heavy lifting with Alyssa Palomino-Cardoza, Carranco and Jessie Harper all drove in two runs in the win while Mulipola had four. But the bottom of the order did its job as well; Arizona's 8-9 hitters, Hannah Martinez and Kean, reached base in four of their five combined at-bats; each of the final four Wildcats in the order scored at least one run.
 
With the win, the Wildcats move to 5-4 vs. ranked opponents, with all four previous losses coming to top-10 teams. The Cats improved to 18-6 overall while Florida State fell to 24-2. The two teams meet in the series rubber match on Sunday at noon at Hillenbrand.
 
KEY INNINGS
 
Top 1: Florida State opened with a solo home run in the top of the first inning to take an early 1-0 lead, but the inning ended an amazing double play turned by Alyssa Palomino-Cardoza, who chased down a ball deep into the gap in right center at the top of the wall and firing it to first to double off the runner. (1-0, FSU)

OMG @lysssscat32 pic.twitter.com/I1uXSpYIpu

— Arizona Softball (@ArizonaSoftball) March 10, 2019

 
Bottom 1: The Cats responded in the bottom half, using a Reyna Carranco single followed by an error that tied the game. Dejah Mulipola blasted a two-run homer to give the Cats the lead. (3-1, UA)
 
Bottom 2: Arizona plated four in the second to take command of the game. Hannah Martinez and Jenna Kean led off the frame with singles to put two on for the top of the UA lineup. The next two Wildcats were retired before Jessie Harper singled in two and Mulipola followed with a two-run homer to center. (7-1, UA)
 
Top 3: Florida State came right back with a two-run homer of its own to cut into the Wildcat lead, but Palomino-Cardoza made another terrific defensive play to end the inning, diving for a sinking liner in shallow center to strand a Seminole at first. (7-3, UA)
 
Bottom 3: The Cats got the two runs back in the home half. Hanah Bowen walked and Rylee Pierce singled to start the frame before a sacrifice bunt followed by a pop out put runners at second and third with two out for Alyssa Palomino-Cardoza. The Seminoles opted to intentionally walk Palomino-Cardoza in favor of Reyna Carranco, who made them pay with a two-run single up the middle. (9-3, UA)
 
Top 5: After stranding runners in each of the previous two innings, Florida State loaded the bases with two walks and a single in the top of the fifth. Snyder induced a pop up to get out of the inning. (9-3, UA)
 
Bottom 5: The bottom of the UA order got things going once again for the Wildcats. Hannah Martinez and Jenna Kean hit back-to-back singles and then moved to up 60 feet on a wild pitch. Alyssa Palomino-Cardoza doubled them both home to win the game. (11-3, UA)
 
UP NEXT
 
Arizona (18-6) and Florida State (24-2) square off in the final game of the series on Sunday at noon.
 
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