The University of Arizona baseball team (1-3) beat the University of New Mexico (2-2) 10-0 on Tuesday, Feb. 18 at the Wildcat’s season home opener at Hi Corbett Field in Tucson.
It was an exciting home debut match for the Wildcats, with the sun shining down and a lively crowd of over 2,000 Wildcat fans packing the stands.
Starting on the mound for Arizona was freshman Kenan Elarton from Castle Pines, Colo. He had a strong outing, pitching three innings, collecting a total of 44 pitches and not allowing any runs. Elarton gave up only 3 hits, struck out three batters and didn’t issue any walks.
The game started off on a slow start, with neither team scoring in the first three innings. However, this changed in the bottom of the fourth when Arizona’s second baseman Garen Caulfield hit an in-the-park, three-run homerun.
The inning began with Arizona senior Richie Morales doubling down the right-field line. Mason White followed with a single down the left-field line, putting runners on first and second. Caulfield was able to make it to home plate due to an error by the Lobos’ third baseman.
The Wildcats’ bats remained hot after the fourth inning, as Arizona didn’t have a scoreless inning that followed. White stood out with 3 hits in four at-bats, including a double, raising his average to .357. Caulfield had a notable game, going 2-for-3 with 4 RBIs that included a double and a triple, leading the team in runs batted in. Additionally, catcher Adonys Guzman recorded a solid performance, going 2-for-3 with a home run and 2 RBIs, boosting his average to .444.
The Lobos struggled the most with their hitting and pitching in the game. Offensively, the Wildcats held the Lobos to just 4 hits in 24 at-bats, preventing any New Mexico player from scoring. Cooper Brass contributed heavily on offense for the Lobos, going 2-for-3 in the game, maintaining his .800 batting average and adding 2 of the team’s 4 hits. Akili Carris and Gene Trujillo were the additional two players to add to New Mexico’s hits.
On the mound, New Mexico’s pitching staff had difficulty containing Arizona’s offense, giving up 12 runs on 11 hits. Starting for New Mexico was Arizona native Diego Alvarez, who pitched four innings, allowed three earned runs, struck out three batters and walked none. Additionally, he gave up 4 hits, including a double and a triple, resulting in the loss for the game.
With this victory, the Wildcats improved their overall series record against New Mexico 20-2.
Looking ahead
The Wildcats remain home as they face the University of San Diego in a three-game series Friday, Feb. 21 at 6 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 22 at 2 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 23 at noon, in Tucson at Hi Corbett Field.
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