College World Series on the line for Arizona Baseball in rubber match

TUCSON, AZ – Falling 12-3 to Ole Miss in game two of Super Regionals, Arizona Baseball (44-16, 21-9) has a rubber match with the Rebels to advance to the College World Series. 

Turning to Garrett “Gary” Irvin in game two of the Super Regionals, Arizona Baseball would look to advance to yet another College World Series. Unfortunately, it would be a tough matchup for the Cats with Doug Nikhazy on the mound for the Rebels.

From the start, the Rebels got to quick work when Ole Miss’ Jacob Gonzalez homered to right field in the first at-bat of the game to make it 1-0.

Arizona Wildcats

Just one inning later, Arizona would run into some early trouble as the Wildcats couldn’t seem to buy an out. Getting hit after hit, Ole Miss would rack up six runs in the second inning, taking a commanding, 7-0 lead.

Finding themselves in a huge hole to start, Arizona would get Nikhazy’s pitch count high early, even plating two runs in the fourth inning with a couple of timely hits, but unfortunately, the Wildcats wouldn’t get close in this one.

Right after scoring two runs to make it 7-2, Ole Miss would respond again, plating three runs in the following inning, followed by another two runs in the fifth inning to make it 12-2.

Nikhazy would finish his day pitching 5-and-a-third innings, surrendering just the two runs on six hits, while striking out 10 Wildcat batters.

Arizona’s Donta Williams would end things on a high note, sending a solo shot to right field, making it 12-3, but unfortunately, that was one of the few highlights for the Wildcats on the day.

With the tough loss, game three becomes crucial for Arizona Baseball look to advance to yet another College World Series.

Short-term memory. It is what the Wildcats will need on Sunday evening as they enter the crucial rubber match with the Ole Miss Rebels.

Luckily, this team has responded quite well to similar situations this year. Arizona lost to Wazzu 21-2 earlier in the year, before responding with back-to-back victories to take the series win against the Cougars.

Granted, Ole Miss is a far better team than Wazzu, however, head coach Jay Johnson will have the Wildcats focused and ready!

“We’re fine, we’ll be ready to go tomorrow,” he said. “It has zero relevance on tomorrow’s outcome unless you let it.”

How to Watch or Follow Game Three:

• Date: Sunday, June 13, 2021
• Time: 6:00 PM
• Location: Hi Corbett ‘aka The Juicebox’ (Tucson, AZ)
• Tickets: Can still be bought -> Here
• TV: ESPN2 or ESPNU (TBD)
• Radio: 1290 AM or TuneIn Radio
• Live Stats: StatBroadcast