The University of Arizona baseball team (3-8) traveled to Las Vegas for a three game series against a variety of non-conference opponents including Vanderbilt University, the University of Oregon and the University of California Irvine. They started the season 1-7 in their first eight games, and being very silent at the plate, the Wildcats looked to turn things around this weekend.
Game One
The first matchup for Arizona was against Oregon. Over the years, Arizona and Oregon have developed a competitive spirit since the Ducks reinstated their program in 2009. Up to this game, both teams were 22-22 against each other, however Oregon has won eight of their last ten games against Arizona.
In the first couple of innings, the Ducks got things started. Jax Gimenez absolutely crushed a solo shot to right center and delivered the game’s first run. After this inning, Oregon didn’t miss a beat in the second inning. Burke-Lee Mabeus poked a fastball into left field that drove home Drew Smith from second, and the Ducks extended the lead.
Later in the inning, leadoff hitter Ryan Cooney turned on a ball into left that kept carrying. It was the second home-run of the day for Oregon and a two-run bomb for Cooney. The Wildcats fought back, after an error on the infield for Oregon which allowed Arizona to score two runs on a broken play.
However in the later stages of the game, Oregon with two runners on, had a chance to break things open. Angel Laya hit a ball over the wall which allowed for a three run bomb and the Ducks claimed a 7-2 lead.
With only two innings of play for Arizona to get back in the game, their bats turned cold. They had five hits total this game. Oregon had eleven total hits and had seven runs from those hits. The Ducks took this one 7-2. For Arizona, they had to transition to their next game of the series.
Game Two
Heading into game two, the Wildcats had a date with the Vanderbilt Commodores. In the second inning, Vanderbilt’s Chris Maldonado hit a ball into the right center field gap that split both outfielders. Ryker Waite went home, as Maldonado got to second base safely with an RBI double.
After five total innings of play, the Wildcats yet again needed a spark. They had no runs, and only two leading up to this point. In the top of the sixth inning, the Wildcats turned things around and put up four runs in the inning.
It got started when Maddox Mihalakis drove a ball into the corner of right field bringing home Andrew Cain as Mihalakis sprinted around and slid in safely with an RBI triple. Shortly after, Nate Novitske hit a ball up the middle towards the shortstop. It got through for a base hit, which scored Roman Meyers and Carson McEntire. It was a two RBI single, and the Wildcats made it 4-1.
To wrap things up, Meyers hit a ball into left field which sailed over the wall. A solo-shot made it 5-1 Arizona in the seventh inning leading the Wildcats to victory. This game was highlighted by Arizona’s bats coming to life, and Smith Bailey pitching a solid game. Bailey pitched six total innings, and in 96 pitches, he allowed three hits, one run and he struck out six batters. This was a big win for the Wildcats, who were looking to win their final game on Sunday.
Game Three
For the final game of the College Baseball Classic, the Wildcats were taking on UC Irvine. With a dominant record of 16-7 against UCI, the Wildcats are looking to end the tournament on a good note, and gain momentum for their upcoming homestand.
This game was dominated on both ends by the Arizona Wildcats and they wasted no time making their mark early. Tony Lira hit a ball towards third base that was thrown in time to first for the out, however it was able to get a run in. Shortly after, TJ Adams hit a high fly ball into left field, which was caught by UC Irvine’s Landon Gaz. In the process, Dom Rodriguez tagged on third, and sprinted home to give the Wildcats an early 2-0 lead.
On a 2-1 count, Caleb Danzeisen turned a ball into the right field corner, it dropped and rolled all the way to the wall. McEntire scored in the process, as Danzeisen got in safely with an RBI triple.
To wrap up a four run inning for Arizona, Novitske hit a groundball that got through the middle of the infield for a base hit. Danzeisen scored, and Novitske was on first with an RBI single.
Through dominance on the plate, there was dominance on the mound. Arizona starter Luc Fladda pitched an absolute gem. He went seven scoreless innings, giving up only four hits, striking out nine batters through 96 total pitches.
In the seventh inning, the Wildcats added three more runs to make it 7-0. After a sac fly in the ninth, the Anteaters managed to get on the scoreboard. The final tally was 7-1 Arizona, as Arizona had ten total hits, as the Wildcats bats got hot at the right time.
Looking forward
Arizona plays its next four games at Hi Corbett Field back in Tucson, Arizona in the final week before Big 12 play. The Wildcats will be hosting Grand Canyon University on Tuesday, March 3. They will then head into a three game weekend series with California State University, Fresno.
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