TUCSON, Ariz. -- Sophomore pitcher Alyssa Denham dueled with Minnesota ace Amber Fiser in a pitchers' duel fit for the 1990s on Wednesday night at Hillenbrand Stadium. The two went toe-to-toe for seven innings without allowing a run, sending the game to the eighth, where a Wildcat error produced a Minnesota run as the Golden Gophers handed Arizona its first loss at home on the year, 1-0 in eight innings.

Denham, who was relieved by Taylor McQuillin one batter into the eighth, pitched seven scoreless innings and struck out a season-high-tying seven while allowing just three Minnesota hits in regulation. Minnesota's fourth hit opened the eighth inning to chase Denham and eventually came around to score thanks to a passed ball and an error. It was just the second unearned run allowed by Arizona all season. Denham fell to 3-1 on the year while the Wildcats dropped to 21-3.

The run came just a half inning after UA had runners on the corners with one out in the bottom of the seventh but could not score. Arizona was 1-for-13 with runners on base and stranded nine runners on the night. Minnesota won the game despite not having a hit with runners on base (0-for-14) and having zero two-out hits (0-for-8).

Up next: Arizona welcomes Utah to start Pac-12 play this Friday-Sunday. The Cats and the Utes get league play going on Friday at 7 p.m. MST. The series will be televised by the Pac-12 Networks.

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