Arizona Baseball gears up for Series with Rival ASU

As we approach the end of the regular season, the Arizona Baseball team is gearing up for the final series versus rival ASU for the 2017 season.

It was a fairly successful weekend for the Arizona Baseball team this last week, winning two of three in their non-conference series versus the College of Charleston.

Now at 33-17 (12-12) on the season, the Wildcats need absolute focus and intensity as they look to close out the season. As it stands, Arizona is a potential regional hosting team according to the latest bracket projections, however, they can’t get lackadaisical just yet.

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Winners of five of their last seven games, Arizona has certainly played their way back into contention. Following their mid-week loss to ASU last week, the Wildcats needed to find a way to get back to their winning ways versus the College of Charleston.

Opening action on Friday against the Cougars, Arizona ace JC Cloney took to the mound for the Wildcats, pitching six and two-thirds innings, surrendering three runs on eight hits. However, it was the Wildcats offense that would go cold.

Arizona would score just one run on two hits, thanks to a solo home run coming from JJ Matijevic. The Wildcats would ultimately drop game one, by a 3-1 final, and Cloney would pick up the loss, dropping his record to 7-1 on the season.

Game two wouldn’t start well for Arizona, as they fell behind early, 3-0 after three innings of play. The Wildcats’ bats would come alive in the fourth inning, as they scored two runs.

With runners on the corners and two outs, College of Charleston’s pitcher would throw a wild pitch, scoring Jared Oliva from third, and advancing Nick Quintana to second. The very next batter, Ryan Haug, would single up the middle, scoring Quintana, cutting into the Griffins lead, 3-2.

In the top of the fifth, Matijevic would hit into a fielders choice, that would score freshman Cameron Cannon from third, to make it 3-3.

Arizona would go up for good in the eighth inning, when a Cesar Salazar single would score Haug, giving the Wildcats the 4-3 advantage, ultimately sealing the win.

Wildcats pitcher Cameron Ming would get the start, delivering six strong innings, surrendering just three runs (two earned) on seven hits, and striking out six. However, it was sophomore pitcher Michael Flynn that would get the win, as he held the Cougars hitless through three innings, improving his record to 3-0 on the season.

With game three deciding the series for Arizona, the Wildcats needed a big day on Mother’s Day, and they responded!

Cody Deason would get the start on the mound, putting together a great pitching performance. Deason would throw six scoreless innings, striking out four batters, and surrendering just six hits. Pitchers Rio Gomez, and Tylor Megill would come in relief, keeping the shut out in tact.

https://twitter.com/ArizonaBaseball/status/863844663177957376

Offensively, Arizona would put together their best offensive performance of the series, scoring six runs on 10 hits. Kyle Lewis would go a perfect four for four from the plate, but it was ultimately Cal Stevenson, who would lead the Wildcats, driving in two runs, both on sacrifices.

Arizona would go on to win game three by a 6-0 final, and taking the series win as well.

After a brief layoff, the Wildcats will return to action on Thursday, when they travel to Phoenix to take on rival ASU. Both team have split their match-ups thus far, with Arizona having the opportunity to of course win the head-to-head match-up versus ASU, but also improve the postseason resume.

For the Sun Devils, this is all about bragging rights, and helping put a rather disheartening season behind them. This will be the first time in a long time, that the Sun Devils won’t win 30 games or more in a season, and this is 100% their “Super Bowl”.

First pitch is slated for 6 p.m. on Thursday, and the entire series will be televised by the Pac-12 Network.

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At Zona Zealots, we’re hoping for an eventful weekend, and won in which the Wildcats hopefully win! Bear Down, Arizona and beat those Devils!