Arizona Baseball beats down New Mexico State in mid-week tilt

LAS CRUCES, NM – Arizona Baseball (29-13, 13-8) brought the bats out in a major way, routing New Mexico State (16-22, 6-12) by a 15-5 final. 

Fresh off a big win against ASU just two days prior, Arizona Baseball brought out the bats in a big way again, plating 15 runs on 15 hits en route to beating host New Mexico State 15-5 in this mid-week tilt.

Offensively, it was a combined effort, but Garen Caufield, Tanner O’Tremba, and Tommy Splaine stole the show, going a combined 7-13 from the plate with 10 RBIs. The Wildcats would hit four home runs, one of which was a grand slam from O’Tremba in the ninth inning.

Even with the Wildcats seemingly busting the seams off the ball, Arizona’s pitching would come up big in this one too, holding the Aggies to just five runs on eights hits while striking out nine. Arizona would use five different pitchers in the game.

Despite falling behind 1-0 early on, the Wildcats were able to capitalize on some late, timely hits, as Arizona Baseball beat down host New Mexico State.

Fresh off of an important three-game series win against Arizona State in Tucson, Arizona looked to get back on track against New Mexico State in their mid-week tilt.

Arizona would fall behind 1-0 early on as New Mexico State plated a run in the third inning, but the Wildcats wouldn’t go quietly, plating three runs in the top of the fourth to take a 3-1 lead.

They would follow that up with another run in the fifth when Nik McClaughry hit a solo shot to left field to make it 4-1 in favor of the Cats.

Even with the Aggies getting two runs back in the fifth, luckily, that would be the closest that they would get for the remainder of this one as the Wildcats plated three more runs in the sixth and another in the seventh before exploding for seven runs in the ninth.

Just as impressive Arizona was offensively on Tuesday evening, the Wildcats’ pitching was equally as impressive as well. Turning to Anthony Susac who got the start on the bump, the Wildcats’ freshman right-hander would finish his day pitching five solid innings, surrendering just three runs on five hits en route to picking up the win and improving to 3-1.

Arizona would replace him with Holden Christian, Chris Barraza, Quinn Flanagan, and George Arias, Jr. in sequential order. The Wildcats’ relievers were red hot in the final four innings pitched. Together they surrendered just two runs (one earned) on three hits while striking out eight.

Where does Arizona Baseball go from here?

With the win, Arizona improves to 29-13 (13-8) on the year and will return to action on Thursday when they open up a four-game series against Nevada at Hi Corbett Field. The Wildcats will then follow that up with a quick Tuesday evening against Grand Canyon at home next week.