Hanah Bowen throws no-hitter as Arizona softball run-rules New Mexico

Hanah Bowen tossed a no-hitter as Arizona softball run-ruled New Mexico 12-0 in five innings on Saturday to improve to 3-0 on the season.

It’s the 94th no-hitter in program history and first since Alyssa Denham blanked Long Beach State last February.

Bowen actually faced the minimum 15 batters. Her lone blemish came in the top of the second when she plunked a batter on the elbow. The next hitter lined into a double play. Otherwise, Bowen was aggressive and had pinpoint command, with 48 of her 61 pitches pounding the strike zone.

Bowen struck out five and let her defense do the rest. Her last four outs were three pop outs and a fly out.

It was the junior’s first outing of the season and obviously a great starting point in her quest to become a reliable third arm behind seniors Denham and Mariah Lopez.

The same could not be said for New Mexico’s pitchers, who walked nine Wildcats. Arizona plated three runs in the first inning on just one hit.

After Kiana Spencer walked the bases loaded, Alyssa Palomino-Cardoza scored on a wild pitch, Reyna Carranco scored on a throwing error and Sharlize Palacios drove in Jessie Harper with a hard single up the middle.

Arizona added four more runs in the second when Dejah Mulipola and Malia Martinez both coaxed walks with the bases loaded and Palacios ripped another single up the middle, though this one plated a pair of runs.

The hit parade continued in the third and fourth innings.

Harper had an RBI single, Mulipola had an RBI double and Aris Carroll notched her first career hit and RBI by lacing a single to left to make it 11-0.

Even Bowen got in on the fun, drawing a bases-loaded walk for the game’s final run.

The Wildcats will complete the Saturday doubleheader at 6 p.m. MST against Seattle U.