The Arizona baseball team endured yet another roller coaster three-game series this weekend. Unfortunately for the Wildcats, the most recent episode featured more valleys than peaks.
Arizona (12-12, 1-5 Pacific 10 Conference) put together a rally in the top of the ninth inning in Sunday’s rubber match, but could not seal the deal, instead falling 8-6 to UCLA.
UA seniors Hunter Pace and Brad Glenn led off the final frame with a single and a walk, respectively, but UCLA retired the next three batters in order, ending the game by striking out Arizona’s Steve Selsky.
Sunday’s rally was similar to the ninth inning of Friday’s game, when the Wildcats put three runs across the plate in the top half of the frame, but eventually lost to the Bruins by a score of 7-6. Combine the two devastating losses with a dominating 19-5 victory on Saturday, and you’ll find a very frustrated Wildcat team.
“”We played better in some respects, and we did a better job of competing,”” said UA head coach Andy Lopez. “”Our biggest thing was that we had close ball games and then we made a bad pitch or would misjudge a line drive and it would cost us.””
Offensively, Arizona was carried by juniors Dwight Childs and Dillon Baird. The two, who are Arizona’s hottest hitters as of late, homered on Saturday and Sunday and were a combined 12-for-20 hitting on the weekend.
“”We have a hitting plan that we discuss, and it comes down to consistency,”” Childs said. “”Everyday we do the same drills, like if there is a problem with the top hand or bottom hand we do drills to help that so when I get into the box I feel comfortable.””
But, as it always seems to be in baseball, the key to a team winning and losing game lies in its pitching. In the two losses, starting pitchers Preston Guilmet and Bryce Bandilla combined to give up nine runs in 6.2 total innings – all of them earned.
“”It’s early, and we’ve been on the road for two weekends in a row now. I wish we had more to show for it, but I’m not concerned,”” Lopez said. “”I think once we get home and get settled in we’ll be fine. We need to continue on the path, I’m not concerned about where we are, we just need to play better baseball.””