The No. 16 University of Arizona baseball team collected a 14-4 run ruled victory in seven innings over GCU on Tuesday, April 15, at 6 p.m. at Hi Corbett Field. The Wildcats avenged GCU after losing in the first matchup 11-5 on April 1.
The top three of Arizona’s lineup, led by juniors Aaron Walton, Mason White and Adonys Guzman, combined for six of the 13 hits the Wildcats recorded, continuing their successful year at the plate. Sophomore Andrew Cain hit two triples and drove in 2 runs, and junior Maddox Mihalakis went three-for-four scoring twice and driving in a run. Despite being held scoreless in the first inning, the Wildcats scored a run in every inning to come after then, driving in 3 runs in the second, sixth and seventh.
Arizona held GCU to just five total hits on the night, with four coming from junior pitcher Michael Hilker Jr., who went 1.1 innings and allowed 3 earned runs. Senior Raul Garayzar started the game and threw for 3.1 innings, allowing no runs and 1 run unearned while striking out three batters. Seniors Matthew Martinez and Julian Tonghini combined for 2.1 innings pitched, allowing only one hit, no runs, no walks and striking out three batters to put GCU away.
GCU went down as much as 6-1 through four innings but cut the deficit to 6-4 after scoring 3 runs in the fifth, with junior Emilio Barreras driving in redshirt sophomore Kade Huff. Later in the inning, senior redshirt Eli Paton lined a single down the left field line, scoring 2 more runs. The Wildcats limited the damage to not allow the Lopes to score for the rest of the game.
Arizona responded, driving in 2 more runs in the bottom half of the fifth after Cain’s RBI triple and senior Tommy Splaine’s sac-fly. In the home half of the sixth the Wildcats loaded the bases with no outs after their first three batters reached safely. Walton extended the lead to 9-4, scoring on a wild pitch. Caulfield brought home White after a grounding out on a fielder’s choice, and Mihalakis followed with a single up the middle to push the lead to 11-4 through six innings.
The Wildcats kept their foot on the gas, tacking on 3 more runs in the seventh, winning their fourth game in the last five and going 4-1 in the homestand.
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