Arizona Baseball gets the needed series win over Utah

TUCSON, AZ- The Arizona Baseball team (12-7, 2-1) gets back on track, stealing the three-game series versus the visiting Utah Utes (7-8, 1-2).

It’s been a fairly tough start to the 2019 season for the Arizona Baseball team. After beginning the year 5-0, the Cats have gone just 7-7 since, including their three-game series win over the visiting Utah Utes this past weekend.

To recap, Arizona lost the series finale on Sunday against College of Charleston, and then their Tuesday night game against Xavier was cancelled due to inclement weather. That left for a huge, three-game series against Utah this weekend, one in which the Wildcats needed to win!

Arizona Wildcats

Previously just 1-8 against the Utes since head coach Jay Johnson had joined the Wildcats, Arizona needed to turn their luck around at home.

On Friday, it was definitely an eventful evening for the Wildcats to begin the series, but unfortunately it just wasn’t a good one.

The Utes got off to a quick start with Avery Weems on the mound for the Cats, but as stated it was all Utah from the get go, as they jumped out to a commanding, 15-2 lead after just the fourth inning.

Hoping to stop the bleeding, the Utes would score runs in the fifth, sixth and seventh inning.

Looking to make some sort of comeback, Arizona would try to rally a bit in this one, but unfortunately to no avail. A big seventh inning by the Wildcats would pull them within eight runs, but it was not enough and it was too little too late, as Utah went on to win by a 21-10 final.

Luckily, the Wildcats would get things back on track on Saturday.

With freshman Quinn Flanagan getting the start in this one, Arizona opened the game hot, putting together a great first inning.

With one man on in the first, Cameron Cannon would come to the plate, driving a ball deep to center field to make it 2-0. The next batter up would be Nick Quintana, as he would get in on the action, hitting a solo shot to right center, making it 3-0, Arizona.

Then two innings later, the Wildcats would explode for four more runs to extend their lead to 7-0, as the Cats cruised in this one.

Flanagan would pitch nine, dominating innings as the freshman held the Utes to just six hits, surrendering no runs and striking out four batters en route to his third win on the year.

Offensively the Cats would be lead by Cannon as the junior finished the game a perfect, three-for-three from the plate with three RBI’s as Arizona ended the game with the 8-0 victory.

Going for the rubber match in game three, the Cats would turn to freshman Bryce Collins for the start in this one!

Unfortunately, Utah would jump out to an early 3-0 lead, but luckily it didn’t last long as Arizona came storming back and in a big way!

First the Cats would plate two in the first inning, followed by a big second inning that was highlighted by Donta Williams‘ triple that scored two runs that gave Arizona the 4-3 lead.

Utah would make a bit of come back in this one, but luckily the Cats would hold up in this one en route to the 18-7 win, as well as the overall series win.

Randy Labaut would come on in relief in this one, picking up his second win of the season after delivering five, solid innings, meanwhile holding the Utes to just two runs (one earned) on four hits, while striking out six.

Matt Fraizer would have a huge game, finishing the day four-of-five from the plate with four RBI’s, while Cannon ended the day three-of-five with three RBI’s.

With the wins, Arizona improves to 12-7 (2-1) on the year and will turn to action on Tuesday, when they take on New Mexico State at Hi Corbett Field. Then it’ll be off to Pasadena to take on UCLA next weekend.

At Zona Zealots, we’re glad to see the Wildcats get a much needed series win and hope the Cats are able to turn things around for good! Bear Down, Arizona!