The No. 24 University of Arizona baseball team (33-14, 15-9 Big 12) took two of three from TCU (33-15, 15-9 Big 12) over the weekend at Hi Corbett Field. The Wildcats rode late-game rallies and dominant bullpen performances to move into a tie for third place in the Big 12 standings with six conference games remaining.
Game 1: Arizona 6 – TCU 3
In Friday night’s opener, Arizona overcame an early deficit and used a pair of home runs from Aaron Walton to beat TCU 6-3. Walton opened the scoring for the Wildcats with a solo home run in the third inning. Arizona trailed 3-1 in the middle innings but mounted a comeback in the sixth, when shortstop Mason White delivered the go-ahead two-run single through the right side. Walton later delivered a crushing two-run shot in the eighth to put the game out of reach.
Starter Owen Kramkowski made his first career Friday night start and gave Arizona five innings of three-run ball, striking out seven. The bullpen was exceptional once again as Garrett Hicks earned the win with two scoreless innings, Julian Tonghini handled the eighth, and closer Tony Pluta collected his Big 12 best 11th save to secure the victory.
Game 2: Arizona 5 – TCU 4
Saturday night brought even more drama as Arizona rallied from a 4-1 deficit to win 5-4 and clinch the series in front of a packed home crowd. The comeback began with a run in the sixth, but it was the seventh inning that turned the game on its head. TCU committed three errors in the last two innings, allowing Arizona to tie the game and eventually take the lead 5-4 on a sacrifice fly from pinch hitter Brendan Summerhill.
Mathis Meurant continued his recent hot stretch with two hits and an RBI double, while White added another multi-hit effort from the top of the order.
On the mound, Collin McKinney struck out six over 4.1 innings before giving way to the bullpen. Raul Garayzar was sharp in relief, tossing 3.2 scoreless innings with four strikeouts to earn his first win of the season, while Casey Hintz struck out two in the ninth to nail down the save. The win guaranteed Arizona at least a .500 finish in conference play and kept them within striking distance of first-place West Virginia.
Game 3: TCU 13 – Arizona 6
In Sunday’s finale, TCU’s offense broke through in a big way, handing Arizona a 13-6 loss to avoid the sweep. The Horned Frogs scored multiple runs in five separate innings and piled up seven two-out RBIs. Arizona briefly held a 1-0 lead after the first and cut the deficit to 9-5 in the seventh, but a three-run top of the ninth by TCU put the game out of reach.
Maddox Mihalakis led the offensive charge with two hits and two RBIs, while Garen Caulfield and Tommy Splaine also drove in runs. White tripled and scored in the loss.
On the pitching side, Eric Orloff made his 83rd career appearance for the Wildcats, moving into sixth place in program history.
Despite the loss, Arizona’s strong play in the first two games ensured them the series victory and a crucial position near the top of the Big 12 standings.
Looking ahead:
Arizona will face GCU on Tuesday, May 6, in Phoenix at Brazell Field at GCU Ballpark. Arizona will be looking to win the series against the Antelopes after previously winning and losing in their separate matchups.
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