Arizona Baseball gets win After being Swept by Cal Bears

After the Arizona Baseball (30-20, 10-14) team was swept by the Cal Bears, the Wildcats rebound for a win against Sacramento State.

It’s been a series of ups and downs this year for the Arizona Baseball team as every time the Wildcats find a bit of success, they come crashing back down to earth.

The road has not been a friendly place for Arizona outside of Hi Corbett, as the Wildcats are just 9-15. After the sweep of then No. 7 ranked UCLA, and subsequent win over Grand Canyon, the Wildcats traveled to Berkeley, hoping to improve the postseason hopes.

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Entering Friday, Cody Deason took the mound for Arizona, as he would deliver a solid outing in this one. However, he would ultimately be outdueled by Cal’s, Matt Ladrech.

The Wildcats bats would start cold and never recover as Cal poured it on early. Taking a 1-0 in the bottom of the second, the Golden Bears would continue their offensive barrage adding eight runs over the course of the next six and a half innings, going up 9-0.

Despite Arizona’s best attempts at coming back in this one, it just wasn’t enough, as the Wildcats dropped game one by a 9-3 final. Jacob Blas would lead all Arizona batters with three hits in five at-bats, bringing in an RBI.

Deason would pick up his fifth loss on the season, after pitching six innings, and surrendering four runs on seven hits.

Game two wouldn’t go much better for Arizona. Michael Flynn would get the start for the Cats, as Arizona got out to a big start. Tied 0-0 heading into the third, the first two batters would get on base to lead the inning thanks to spotty pitching by Cal. Blas would then come up as the next batter, hitting into a fielders choice that would score Donta Williams thanks to a Cal throwing error.

That set-up Cal Stevenson who would fly out to left, scoring Matt Fraizer from third and advancing Blas. Next, Alfonso Rivas would walking, giving Nick Quintana that opportunity to ground out, but score Blas, giving Arizona a 3-0 lead.

That’s when Cesar Salazar would come to the plate, to join the hitting party. Salazar would take the first pitch through the right side, extending Arizona’s lead to 4-0.

Unfortunately, the lead wasn’t there for long, as Cal responded quickly, and in a big way. Due to some timely hits, the Golden Bears would regain the lead at 5-4.

Still dueling, the Wildcats would take advantage of some great offensive opportunities in the sixth inning. Down one-run, pinch-hitter Seve Romo would homer left field on a 1-0 pitch that would tie the game at 5-5.

Thanks to some timely hits, a few batters later, Blas would double to left field, scoring Williams from second, and giving the Wildcats the 6-5 lead. Awesome!

Well, once again, that lead dissipated quickly, as Cal had yet another answer. This time adding four runs in their half of the frame, retaking the lead at 9-6. From then on, the Wildcats had no answer.

Over the course of the next three innings, Cal put on a hitting clinic, adding seven more runs, and stealing game two, as well as the series by a 16-6 final.

Hoping to avoid the sweep, Arizona needed some magic in this one, turning to Juan Aguilera. However, the magic just wasn’t there for the Wildcats in this one, despite their valiant efforts of a comeback.

Cal would jump out to a commanding, 6-0 lead early on. Arizona would get three runs back in top of the sixth due to some timely hitting. With two men on, and two out, sophomore phenom Cameron Cannon would be given a great opportunity to get things going for the Wildcats.

Cannon would rake a 1-2 pitch into left field that would score Salazar from second, giving the Cats one run. That’s when Williams would hit a deep single to center, scoring Cannon and Tate Soderstrom, but that’s all the offense Arizona could muster at that point.

Trailing 6-3 heading into the bottom of the sixth, Cal would explode for six more runs, ultimately putting the game out of reach for good.

Down 12-3, the Wildcats needed offense and in a big way. The team would fight, stringing together some timely hits, scoring four runs in the top of the eighth, cutting Cal’s lead to just five runs.

The next inning, Arizona would have one last chance to prevent the sweep. Soderstrom would get the comeback attempt going, singling through the right side, with just one out. Cannon would then come to the plate, doubling on a 1-2 pitch, putting runners on second and third with one out for Williams.

Donta with already a solid day, would take advantage of a Cal error, as the Bears would allow Cannon and Soderstrom to score, making it 12-9. A double by Blas, followed by a two-out single Rivas would cut Cal’s lead to just one run, at 12-11.

Down just one, Ryan Haug had the chance to be a hero and potentially give Arizona the tie or possible lead. Instead, Haug would strike out swinging, ending the game. Wildcats lost by a 12-11 final.

Still in the Bay Area, Arizona would stay in California for a Monday night game against Sacramento State. Arizona’s Zach Stone would get the start as the Wildcats would need a big performance to salvage a tough weekend.

Hoping to bounce back from Cal, the Wildcats would get off to an early start in this one. Quintana would get things started, when he would homer to left field, giving Arizona a 1-0 lead. The home run from Quintana was his 12th this season.

Already leading 1-0 heading into the third, Arizona would extend its lead, when Cannon would come up with one out and a runner on second. That would set him up for a two-run homer that he would hit to left field.

Still dueling, Arizona would surrender a run in the bottom of the third, when the Hornets would score from a few timely hits, cutting into the Wildcats’ lead.

Arizona’s offensive production wouldn’t cease as the home run barrage continued into the fourth. With yet again another one-on, one-out situation, the Wildcats would have Fraizer come up to bat with a great opportunity to add to their lead.

The sophomore outfielder would take a two-run shot to right field, making it 5-1 in favor of the Cats!

Luckily, the Wildcats would cruise from here on out. Holding on to their lead, picking up the win by a 5-2 final!

Stone would pick up the win, after pitching four, solid innings, surrendering one-run on three hits. Zach Sherman would also pick up the save, his first of the season, as he would finish out the last two innings surrendering no runs on just one hit.

The sophomore trio of Quintana, Cannon and Fraizer would lead the Wildcats offensively, going a combined four for 11 from the plate, all hitting home runs, driving in all five of Arizona’s runs.

The Wildcats will continue Pac-12 play, when they host their most hated rival, the Arizona State Sun Devils. ASU has been struggling themselves, as they sit just one game ahead of the Wildcats in the Pac-12, and are just 21-28 on the season.

Luckily, Arizona finishes their home slate against ASU, where they have been hot this year! Arizona Baseball is hoping for a good turnout as they wrap up their 2018 season, and will put on a firework show following Saturday’s game!

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At Zona Zealots, we are excited for the Wildcats’ last home series against ASU, and hope the Wildcats can put together another strong performance at Hi Corbett! Bear Down, Arizona!