TUCSON, AZ – Following a gutsy 5-2 win over No. 2 Oregon State, Arizona Baseball (34-18, 15-11) will go for the series victory.
Entering this series fresh off of a disappointing series loss to last-placed USC, Arizona Baseball needed a much-better effort especially as they welcomed No. 2 Oregon State for an important three-game conference series.
The Wildcats have been plagued by inconsistencies all year, but from the start, the Wildcats looked a bit more focused and prepared in this one, despite being a bit overmatched.
Arizona was doomed by its inconsistent pitching in game one, but luckily, the Wildcats responded in a big way, winning game two by a 5-2 final.
With the series tied, Arizona Baseball hopes to replicate that game two performance as they go for the series victory against Oregon State.
Game 1:
Turning to TJ Nichols in game one, the Wildcats’ hurler would pitch just five innings before being replaced by a bevy of pitchers. Together, the Wildcats’ hurlers would be roughed up a bit in this one, surrendering 12 earned runs on 14 hits.
Trevor Long would pick up the loss in this one, falling to 5-2 on the year as he was shellacked for five runs on four hits.
Even with the Wildcats surrendering 12 runs, the offense was white hot, plating nine runs as they were led by the offensive play from Mac Bingham and Noah Turley among others. Together, the Wildcat duo would finish 3-6 from the plate with four RBIs and a home run.
Unfortunately, even with the nine runs, it wouldn’t be enough as Arizona fell by 12-9 final. Oregon State would be propelled by a seven-run eighth inning.
Game 2:
Hoping to turn things around in game two, Arizona would turn to their ace Garrett Irvin in this one, and from the start, Gary brought his A-game.
Tossing seven stellar innings, Gary would finish his evening surrendering just one run on three hits as he struck out nine batters. He would be replaced by Eric Orloff, who was also impressive, holding the Beavers to just one run on three hits to help secure the win.
Offensively, things would be slow for Arizona, plating just one run in the second inning when Chase Davis was able to score on a rare throwing by Oregon State.
Luckily, the Wildcats would stay aggressive, exploding for four runs in the seventh. Thanks to some timely hitting, the Wildcats were able to shellack Jacob Kmatz, plating four runs to take the 5-1 lead, before picking up the eventual 5-2 win.
Gary picked up the win, improving to 5-3 on the season, meanwhile, Oregon State’s Kmatz picked up his first loss of the season.
Where does Arizona Baseball go from here?
With the win, the Wildcats even the series and will look for the series victory when they return to action against Oregon State on Sunday afternoon. Arizona will close out the series by going with Anthony Susac (4-1, 7.55), meanwhile, OSU will use RHP Jake Pfennigs (2-0, 0.48).