The No. 24 University of Arizona baseball team (23-9, 8-4 in Big 12) took down New Mexico State University (17-16) in a nail-biting 11-9 matchup on Tuesday, April 8, at 6 p.m. at Hi Corbett Field. The Wildcats bounced back in the win column after junior infielder Mason White went 3-for-4, drove in 5 runs and hit 2 home runs.
Offensively, the Wildcats recorded 15 total hits with the first four hitters of the lineup combining for 9 hits. Garen Caulfield and Aaron Walton combined to go 3-for-9 at the plate, reaching base six times and scoring four times. Junior catcher Adonys Guzman went 3-for-3 with two walks and an RBI. Designated hitter Easton Breyfogle went 2-for-5 with 3 RBIs and scored a run. White crushed 2 no-doubt home runs, moving into a tie for fourth place in program history with 36 homers. He also chipped in with a triple to deep center and drew a walk.
New Mexico State started hot, scoring 4 runs in the first inning, forcing head coach Chip Hale to go to his bullpen after just one out recorded. The Wildcats responded, backing their pitching staff and scored 5 runs in the home half of the inning, highlighted by White’s 2-run shot. New Mexico State did not back down without a fight. After dropping 6-4 through two innings, the Aggies took back the 8-6 lead after scoring 4 runs in the top of the third. However, in the bottom of the fourth, White reclaimed the advantage for Arizona, launching a 3-run homer to right field, closing the inning with a 9-8 lead.
NMSU quickly responded, tying the game at 9 in the top of the fifth. Arizona maintained momentum at the bottom of the eighth with Breyfogle ripping a triple down the right field line to bring senior Tommy Splaine home from first base. The Wildcats added a crucial insurance run in the final moments as sophomore TJ Adams delivered a sac-fly to center, sealing the 11-9 victory.
Sophomore left-hander Jack Berg took the mound for Arizona but struggled in his start, lasting 24 pitches while recording one out and giving up 4 earned runs. Senior right-handed pitcher Raul Garayzar limited the damage, pitching 3.2 innings, but allowed another 4 earned runs. However, Arizona’s bullpen dominated and shut down the Aggies’ offense with five solid innings. The Wildcats struck out eight and allowed just 1 run on four hits.
Looking ahead
Arizona looks to continue its winning ways as the team will host Oklahoma State University in a three-game series beginning Friday, April 11, at 6 p.m. at Hi Corbett Field. The Military Appreciation weekend series will carry through Sunday, April 13.
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