On Friday night, Arizona baseball improved their record to 6-0 as they defeated McNeese State University 8-3 at Hi Corbett.
2,528 Wildcats fans saw Arizona come back from a 3-1 deficit and although things looked meek at times. The ‘Cats scored seven runs in two innings after scoring only one run over the first six.
Tylor Megill started for Arizona but was relieved by Michael Flynn in the second inning. In one inning, Megill hit three batters, walked one, and allowed two earned runs.
Mcneese State took advantage of Megill hitting a couple of batters and scored twice in the first inning.
Arizona responded with a run of their own in the first as a Nick Quintana sac-fly scored J.J. Matijevic to cut the lead to 2-1.
After Flynn came in for Arizona, the Wildcats surrendered one run in the second as MSU’s lead increased to 3-1.
While Arizona’s offense had been operating on all cylinders so far this season, the Wildcats struggled early in the game. After scoring in the first inning, the Wildcats were shut out completely by MSU until they had their big innings.
The Wildcats gained momentum in the 7th inning as Jared Oliva started a rally for the Wildcats. Oliva scored on a Louis Boyd hit to make the game 3-2. Arizona added three more runs in the seventh inning to take a 5-3 lead over MSU.
Arizona picked up where they left off in the 8th inning as the Wildcats plated three more runs to extend their lead to the eventual final of 8-3.
After Arizona’s slow start, Flynn helped Arizona settle in pitching six scoreless innings. The reliever allowed one hit, no runs and seven strikeouts while facing 19 batters.
“I just wanted to get it rolling, get my guys back in the dugout so we can get up and hit some balls,” Flynn said. “I built a little bit of momentum for myself but all I was trying to do was throw some strikes.”
While no Wildcat in particular made or broke the game, eight different Wildcats registered a hit on Friday.
Arizona’s batters were beginning to get impatient with the results but knew runs would come eventually.
“I think we were starting to get a little antsy, Flynn was rolling and we wanted to get him that lead,” said Mitchell Morimoto. “Their pitcher was able to locate and keep us off-balance and his pitches popped out a lot.”
The Wildcats take to the field again Saturday at 1 p.m. in the third game of a four-game series against McNeese State.
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