Arizona defeated North Dakota State (0-5) 11-1 on Wednesday night at Hi Corbett Field; it wasn’t much of a struggle for the Wildcats (5-0) as the team outhit the Bison 11-3 for an easy win.
NDSU starting pitcher David Ernst had a rough night on the mound while Arizona’s bats were hot. Ernst allowed seven runs on five hits with only one strikeout and received no help from his offense.
Arizona starting pitcher Xavier Borde threw 6 2/3 scoreless innings. Borde allowed just two hits and recorded four strikeouts.
“I just came out and I tried to compete in every pitch,” Borde said. “I took a look at the batters, and I believed my stuff would beat them before every pitch.”
Arizona wasted no time in securing its win.
Scott Kingery started the game with a double to get the momentum going for Arizona, and Kevin Newman followed with a single for a quick run in the bottom of the first inning.
The Wildcats weren’t finished, either. Tyler Krause launched a triple to give Arizona a quick 2-0 lead with no outs. The inning ended in a pickle, but not before J.J. Matijevic was able to score the fourth run of the inning.
“We did some good things offensively,” Arizona coach Andy Lopez said. “It was a pretty good night.”
The second inning was quiet on both sides, but that changed in the bottom of the third when Bobby Dalbec had his first hit of the night to allow Newman to score for the 5-0 lead.
NDSU’s Jon Hechtner dropped a ball deep in left field that extended Arizona’s lead to 7-0.
NDSU brought out a new pitcher in the bottom of the fourth and Jay Flaa became Arizona’s next victim. He was able to slow down Arizona’s offense but still allowed two runs in three innings.
“He had a really good curveball,” Arizona right fielder Jared Oliva said. “I definitely think that was his best pitch.”
Borde allowed his second and last hit before a pitching change was made in the sixth inning. Cameron Ming took the mound with two outs.
Colin Baumgard and Trevor Jaunich were the last two pitchers for NDSU.
Arizona is still experimenting with defensive positions through the first five games of the season.
Redshirt freshman Jared Oliva made his first start in right field on Wednesday night, and Lopez said he wouldn’t be surprised if Oliva starts there for the next game, too.
“[Jared] makes it very interesting, and he’s creating a competitive situation for a couple of the outfielders right now,” Lopez said.
If one thing is for sure, it is that Lopez expects more from this year’s team than last year’s team. Lopez said after last year’s fourth game of the season, he had doubts that the team would finish .500 for the year.
“I don’t feel like that this year,” Lopez said. “Not to that extreme. We play hard and clean.”
Arizona will look to continue its perfect start as it hosts nationally ranked Rice for a three-game series starting on Friday.
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