Could history repeat itself with Arizona Baseball?

Baseball action is quickly heating up in Tucson, as the Arizona Baseball team (40-15, 21-9) prepares for the start of the 2021 NCAA Tournament. 

The 2021 regular season may be over for Arizona Baseball, but now the real work is just beginning as the Wildcats prepare for the NCAA Tournament.

On Saturday evening, the Wildcats capped off a remarkable run in 2021 by taking the field one last time on the regular season as they took on the Trailblazers of Dixie State.

Arizona Wildcats

Completing a three-game series, Arizona needed a strong performance on Saturday to not only come away with the series victory but to strengthen their overall resume, as well as end the season on a high note.

Turning to Garrett Irvin in this one, the junior hurler would last just two and two-thirds innings before being pulled after surrendering four runs on six hits. He would be replaced by TJ Nichols in the third, and eventually Vince Vannelle in the eighth.

Despite Arizona falling behind early, the Wildcats’ offense finally began to come to life in the fifth inning when Nik McClaughry singled up the middle, followed by a Donta Williams triple to right-center, scoring McClaughry. Two batters later, Branden Boissiere would then single to center to score Williams and make it 4-3.

The next inning, McClaughry would come up big again! With runners on base, Nik would lay down a perfect, sacrifice bunt, advancing the runners and scoring Tony Bullard to tie the game at 4-4.

Jacob Berry, one of the best freshmen of the year in the conference, would then have the opportunity to be the hero. With the count 3-2, Berry would belt a double to left, scoring Williams and ending the game in walk-off fashion.

With the victory, Arizona Baseball ends the season on a high note and now prepares for the start of the Tucson Regional.

Following a tremendous season in which the Wildcats beat Oregon State in Corvallis as well as win the outright conference title for the first time since 2012, could Arizona Baseball be on the same path as that 2012 National Championship team?

On Monday afternoon, the team came together at Hi-Corbett Field together, patiently waiting to learn their postseason fate.

Well, as we all found out, Arizona is the No. 5 overall seed and will serve as host to Grand Canyon, UC Santa Barbara, and Oklahoma State.

With Arizona set to begin their 40th NCAA Tournament with a matchup against in-state foe Grand Canyon on Friday, now the real work starts for the Wildcats!

Tournament Information: 

• Game 1: Friday, June 4, 2021 – 1:00 PM – UC Santa Barbara vs Oklahoma State on ESPN3
• Game 2: Friday, June 4, 2021 – 7:00 PM – Arizona vs Grand Canyon on ESPN3
• Game 3: Saturday, June 5, 2021 – 1:00 PM – Game 1 Loser vs Game 2 Loser on TV TBA
• Game 4: Saturday, June 5, 2021 – 7:00 PM – Game 1 Winner vs Game 2 Winner on TV TBA
• Game 5: Sunday, June 6, 2021 – 12:00 PM – Game 3 Winner vs Game 4 Loser on TV TBA
• Game 6: Sunday, June 6, 2021 – 6:00 PM – Game 5 Winner vs Game 4 Winner on TV TBA
• Game 7: Monday, June 7, 2021 – 7:00 PM – Same as Game 6 on TV TBA

Visiting Team Information: 

• No. 2 Oklahoma State Cowboys (at-large)Conference: Big 12
  • Record: 35-17-1 (12-12 Big 12)
  • Head Coach: Josh Holliday
• No. 3 UC Santa Barbara Gauchos (at-large)Conference: Big West
  • Record: 39-18 (29-11 Big West)
  • Head Coach: Andrew Checketts
• No. 4 Grand Canyon Antelopes (automatic qualifier)Conference: WAC
  • Record: 39-19-1 (29-7 WAC)
  • Head Coach: Andy Stankiewicz