Arizona run-rules Eastern Illinois to start Hillenbrand Invitational

Freshman pitcher Rylie Holder comes close to a no-hitter as Arizona wins 8-0 in five innings

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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The Hillenbrand Invitational started Thursday evening, with Arizona hosting Eastern Illinois and winning 8-0 in five innings. Freshman pitcher Rylie Holder didn't give up any hits through four innings but fell short of a no-hitter in the fifth. Offensively, the trio of Addison Duke, Regan Shockey, and Sereniti Trice stood out for Arizona, with Trice going 3 for 3 and the other two each getting a hit and combining for three walks.

Why it matters

This win for Arizona comes after a tough loss against Texas last weekend, showing the team's ability to bounce back. The Hillenbrand Invitational is an important early-season tournament for the Wildcats as they look to build momentum heading into conference play.

The details

Arizona (13-5) came into Thursday after a 12-2 loss against Texas in five innings at Palo Alto, Calif. Eastern Illinois (4-12) came in riding a six-game losing streak. Holder was one out away from a no-hitter before giving up two hits in the fifth inning. Arizona's offense was led by Trice, who went 3 for 3, and Duke and Shockey, who each had a hit and three walks combined.

  • The Hillenbrand Invitational started on Thursday evening.
  • Arizona lost 12-2 against Texas in five innings last weekend at Palo Alto, Calif.
  • Eastern Illinois came into the game riding a six-game losing streak.

The players

Rylie Holder

A freshman pitcher for Arizona who came close to a no-hitter, giving up two hits in the fifth inning.

Sereniti Trice

An Arizona player who went 3 for 3 at the plate and scored a run.

Addison Duke

An Arizona player who had a hit and three walks.

Regan Shockey

An Arizona player who had a hit and three walks, and made a diving catch to preserve Holder's no-hit bid.

Caitlin Lowe

The head coach of the Arizona Wildcats softball team.

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What they’re saying

“It's just awesome knowing to know they have my back. I know I can just trust my stuff, spin it how I want.”

— Rylie Holder (allsportstucson.com)

“Last weekend I would have said we were passive with our pitches coming through the zone and we didn't attack them aggressively when they did come. Today when we did get our pitched we were all over them.”

— Caitlin Lowe, Arizona coach (allsportstucson.com)

“I saw the ball down and I saw that it got kind of stuck under the mat so I was going four.”

— Sereniti Trice (allsportstucson.com)

What’s next

Arizona will play Long Beach State on Friday at 5 p.m. before playing Minnesota at 7 p.m. in the Hillenbrand Invitational.

The takeaway

This win for Arizona shows the team's resilience after a tough loss last weekend, and their ability to bounce back with a dominant performance. The Wildcats' offense and defense both stepped up, with Holder's near no-hitter and the team's strong hitting, setting them up well for the rest of the Hillenbrand Invitational.