The Arizona Wildcats’ season came to an end after losing to
Sam Houston State, 9-3, in game five of the NCAA Lubbock Regional on Sunday at
Dan Law Field.

Both losses in the regional for Arizona came at the hand of
Sam Houston State, losing to the Bearkats in the opening round, 5-4. The
Wildcats finished the season with an overall record of 38-21. 

Despite getting runners on base in all but one inning, Arizona
was unable to put hits together and stay alive in the regional.

“I’m proud of our team, I’m proud of their accomplishments
this season,” Arizona coach Jay Johnson said.

The Bearkats struck first during the contest. A strikeout
wild pitch allowed the leadoff hitter for Sam Houston State to reach first. He
advanced to second on a ground out, and was brought in to score courtesy of a
double from Andrew Fregia, giving the Bearkats the 1-0 lead. 

The Wildcats threatened in the top of the second inning,
with runners on the corners and one out. However, a double play ended the
winning without an Arizona run crossing the plate.

Sam Houston State loaded the bases with two outs in the
second inning after a double from Robie Rojas and two walks. The Bearkats added
to their lead when sophomore starting pitcher Cody Deason walked another
batter, making it 2-0.

Sam Houston State’s Bryce Johnson hit a single to right
field, allowing two more Bearkats to score. Andrew Fregia followed him with a
double to right-center field, bringing in another two runs for the Bearkats,
giving them the 6-0 lead.

After the double, Arizona called to the bullpen and brought
in junior Landon Faulkner. The right-hander gave up an RBI single to the first
batter he faced. Rojas came back up to the plate next and hit his second double
of the inning, increasing the Bearkats lead, 8-0. The inning ended with an RBI
single from Jaxxon Grisham, who was thrown out at second. After two innings,
the Wildcats trailed, 9-0.

When the Wildcats took the field in the bottom of the third,
junior right-hander Robby Medel took over on the mound. Deason and Faulkner
combined for seven hits and nine runs through two innings.

Arizona started the fourth inning with a leadoff single from
sophomore Alfonso Rivas, followed by junior Ryan Haug who was hit by the pitch.
The runners advanced on a passed ball, putting Wildcats on second and third
with no outs.

An RBI single from freshman Nick Quintana gave the Wildcats
their first run of the game and put runners on the corners. Sophomore Cesar
Salazar followed him with an RBI single of his own, cutting the deficit to 9-2.
That was all the Wildcats could get in the innings, stranding three runners.

In the fifth inning, Arizona threatened after two batters
got on after being hit by the pitch, but the Wildcats could not capitalize and
the score remained, 9-2.

Senior Louis Boyd hit his first career home run to leadoff
the ninth inning for the Wildcats. After junior Cal Stevenson flied out to
center, junior JJ Matijevic hit his 30th double of the season, tying the
Arizona record for a single season. He advanced to third on a ground out, but a
strikeout ended the game. 

The Wildcats lost to the Bearkats, 9-3, ending their
postseason run. 

“Tough one, but we’ll regroup and get ready for the 2018
season,” Johnson said.

** Editor’s Note: McKenzi Morris is Editor-in-Chief of the Daily Toreador at Texas Tech University. Morris is covering regionals for the Daily Wildcat.

Follow the Daily Wildcat on Twitter.