The University of Arizona baseball team (15-4) continued their homestand at Hi Corbett by capturing a crucial desert rivalry win in a 3-2 victory over ASU (14-6) on Tuesday, March 11. As well as, sweeping their opening Big 12 home series against the University of Cincinnati (11-9) from Friday, March 14 to Sunday, March 16.
Arizona 3 – Arizona State 2
Arizona defeated in-state rival Arizona State 3-2 on Tuesday, March 11. The Wildcats wasted no time jumping on Arizona State’s pitching, striking early with a pair of runs in the first inning. Brendan Summerhill and Aaron Walton led off with consecutive doubles, putting the Wildcats on the board. Later in the inning, Easton Breyfogle worked a bases-loaded walk, bringing home another run and giving Arizona a 2-0 advantage. The Wildcats extended their lead in the sixth when Tommy Splaine ripped an RBI double down the left field line, scoring TJ Adams for what would prove to be the game-winning run.
Despite Arizona’s early offensive success, Arizona State’s pitching kept the game within reach. Jonah Giblin was exceptional in relief, throwing 3.1 scoreless innings while striking out four and allowing only two hits. The Sun Devil bullpen continued its recent trend of strong midweek performances, holding Arizona to just three runs.
Arizona’s pitching staff delivered an outstanding performance, turning the game into a bullpen showcase. Raul Garayzar set the tone with three scoreless innings, allowing just one hit while striking out two before exiting without the win. Carson Johnson and Eric Orloff followed with scoreless outings, maintaining Arizona’s early lead. Julian Tonghini, who entered in the fifth, delivered 1.2 shutout innings to earn his first win of the season.
In the ninth inning, Tony Pluta took the mound to protect Arizona’s one-run lead and shut the door on the Sun Devils’ comeback hopes. Pluta put on a clinic, striking out the first batter he faced, surrendering a one-out single, and aiding in the game-ending double play to notch his third save of the season.
Offensively, Arizona State struggled to generate timely hits. The Sun Devils were held scoreless through the first six innings, failing to capitalize on multiple opportunities with runners on base. They finally broke through in the seventh with a two-out RBI double and again in the eighth with an RBI single to bring ASU within a run. The Sun Devils would be unable to push across the tying score.
Arizona 8 – Cincinnati 3 (Game 1)
Arizona kicked off its Big 12 Conference era in emphatic fashion, rallying for an explosive eight-run sixth inning to defeat Cincinnati 8-3 in game one of the three-game series.
Cincinnati appeared in control early, jumping out to a 3-0 lead behind a steady offensive effort. The Bearcats plated two runs in the second, with an RBI single to left and a score on a passed ball. They added another in the fourth when Cincinnati’s Kerrington Cross roped an RBI double, putting Arizona in an early hole.
The Wildcats threatened in both the fourth and fifth innings, loading the bases each time, but they failed to break through.
Then came the sixth. After a groundout to start the inning, Arizona’s offense erupted. Splaine put the Wildcats on the board with an RBI single, and Summerhill tied the game with an infield single that brought home two runs—one on the hit and the other on an error. With the bases loaded and two outs, Garen Caulfield stepped to the plate and crushed a grand slam over the left-field fence, sending the crowd into a frenzy and putting Arizona ahead 8-3.
Arizona’s bullpen took over from there, dominating the final frames. Right-hander Casey Hintz continued his stellar season, tossing 2.1 scoreless innings while striking out three to earn his fourth win of the year. Garrett Hicks followed with three shutout innings of his own, striking out four and locking down his first save of the season. The two relievers combined to allow just two hits over 5.1 innings, shutting the door on any Cincinnati comeback hopes.
Arizona 14 – Cincinnati 2 (Game 2)
Arizona wasted no time asserting its dominance in game 2, scoring 12 runs in the first two innings en route to a 14-2 win over Cincinnati. The win secured the Wildcats’ first-ever Big 12 series victory with one game left in the series.
From the opening pitch, Arizona capitalized on Cincinnati’s defensive struggles. The Wildcats plated four runs in the first, seizing an early lead before breaking the game wide open with an eight-run second inning. Summerhill was the driving force behind the offensive explosion, going 4-for-5 with three RBIs—falling just a home run shy of the cycle.
Arizona starter Owen Kramkowski delivered a strong outing, improving to 3-1 on the season. The right-hander worked five innings without allowing an earned run, scattering five singles while striking out seven Bearcats.
Cincinnati, meanwhile, struggled to find momentum. The Bearcats managed to scratch across their first run in the third on a sacrifice fly, but by then, the game was well out of reach. Arizona tacked on two more in the fourth to extend the lead to 14-1. Cincinnati’s Kory Klingenbeck’s RBI single in the seventh provided the Bearcats’ only other run of the night.
Arizona’s bullpen again was impressive. Relievers Mason Russell, Christian Coppola and Michael Hilker Jr. each threw scoreless innings, combining for five strikeouts while allowing just two hits.
Arizona 11 – Cincinnati 1 (Game 3)
Arizona capped off a dominant weekend with an 11-1 run-rule victory over Cincinnati on Sunday, March 16, securing a series sweep in their first-ever Big 12 Conference matchup. The Wildcats extended their win streak to eight games and improved to 15-4 overall.
Once again, Arizona’s offense put on a show, posting double-digit runs in their second consecutive outing. Mason White and Caulfield led the charge at the plate. White went 3-for-4 with a triple and three RBIs, while Caulfield added two hits, including a triple of his own, and another 3 RBIs. Summerhill continued his red-hot weekend, reaching base in all four of his plate appearances with a 3-for-3 performance, an RBI, and a walk.
On the mound, freshman right-hander Smith Bailey delivered a gem in his first collegiate win. The 6-foot-4 righty stifled the Bearcats’ offense, tossing five scoreless innings while allowing just two hits and striking out five. Julian Tonghini closed things out with a dominant relief inning, striking out two in a perfect seventh.
Cincinnati’s only run of the afternoon came in the top of the sixth off a leadoff home run. The Bearcats couldn’t generate any further offense and were retired in order in the seventh, enforcing the 10-run rule and sealing Arizona’s commanding win.
With the sweep, Arizona sits tied atop the Big 12 standings and remains perfect at home, boasting an 11-0 record at Hi Corbett Field. The Wildcats have averaged nine runs per game at home this season, a testament to their explosive offense.
Looking ahead
Arizona wraps up its eight-game homestand with a non-conference matchup against the University of Kansas (17-3) on Tuesday, March 18. The first pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.
