The No. 21 University of Arizona baseball team (44-20, 18-12 in Big 12) will take the field Sunday, June 15, in a win-or-go-home battle against University of Louisville (40-23, 15-15 in ACC) at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, Nebraska. The first pitch is set for 11 a.m. MST, airing live on ESPN and Wildcats Radio 1290 AM.
The Wildcats are returning to action following a 7-4 loss to Coastal Carolina University in their College World Series opener on Friday, June 13. To keep their national title hopes alive, Arizona must navigate the loser’s bracket and string together four consecutive victories over the next five days.
A win on Sunday for the Wildcats’ would extend the season and set up a rematch with Coastal Carolina or a potential meeting with top-seeded University of Tennessee. A loss would end the Wildcats’ season.
History vs. Louisville
Sunday’s showdown marks just the fourth meeting between Arizona and Louisville. The Wildcats hold a slight edge in the series with a 2-1 record. However, the Cardinals routed Arizona 13-1 in their most recent game on Feb. 16 at the Shriners Children’s College Showdown in Arlington, Texas.
Wildcats to watch
The Wildcats’ long and storied postseason history continues to serve as a foundation. Arizona boasts a 43-33 all-time record at the College World Series — sixth best in NCAA history — and are participating in their 44th NCAA Tournament, also the sixth most in Division I. The program has claimed four national titles, most recently in 2012.
Offensively, Arizona leans on star shortstop Mason White, who ranks second on the program’s all-time home run list with 49. The junior has proven lethal in away games, with 36 of his homers coming on the road or at neutral sites.
The starting pitchers remain unannounced, but the Wildcats have options. Senior right-hander Raul Garayzar (2-0, 2.81 ERA) has emerged as the team’s No. 2 starter but struggled in his most recent outing. Freshman Smith Bailey, who threw four shutout innings against Louisville in February, is available on regular rest.
Arizona enters the matchup with one of the sport’s premier closers in junior Tony Pluta, who was named the 2024 NCBWA Stopper of the Year on Friday, June 13.
Cardinals to watch
The Cardinals return to Omaha for the first time since 2019 and are making their sixth all-time appearance at the College World Series. Head coach Dan McDonnell has assembled a balanced roster that knocked off top-seeded Vanderbilt University and surged past University of Miami to punch its ticket to Omaha.
Senior outfielder Eddie King Jr. leads the Louisville lineup with 17 home runs and 60 RBIs. He will be a crucial factor in deciding the game’s outcome.
Center fielder Lucas Moore is one of the nation’s most dangerous baserunners, stealing 51 bases this season — second most in Division I — while driving in 48 RBIs.
With elimination on the line, both programs aim for high-powered offense and quick defense. A victory for the Wildcats could spark another deep tournament run, walking the line to a championship.
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