TUCSON, AZ – Hoping to rebound following their sweep at the hands of ASU, Arizona Baseball (14-9, 3-6) got back on track with a 10-9, extra-innings win over GCU.
Back in action following their three-game sweep at the hands of Arizona State this past weekend, Arizona Baseball returned to the baseball diamond hoping to rebound as they took on in-state foe Grand Canyon for the second time this season.
This time returning to the friendly confines of Hi Corbett Field (aka ‘The Juice Box) for the mid-week tile, Arizona would turn to Anthony “Tonko” Susac who got the start on the bump for the Wildcats.
Even though Tonko lasted a respectable three-and-two-thirds innings where he surrendered just two runs on five hits, Susac would eventually be relieved by Derek Drees, Bradon Zastrow, Casey Hintz, Chris Barraza, Eric Orloff, and Trevor Long in sequential order.
And although the bullpen wasn’t at its best, luckily, the Wildcats put on an offensive barrage in this one, plating 10 runs and 12 hits as they were fueled offensively by a myriad of Wildcat batters in their 10-9 walk-off win!
Although the Wildcats’ pitching got roughed up a bit late in this one, Arizona Baseball rallied to come away with the walk-off victory against GCU!
Entering this one losers in six of their last seven games, Arizona Baseball was hoping to get back into the win column against a formidable opponent in GCU.
Luckily, it didn’t take long for Arizona Baseball to assert its dominance in this one as the Wildcats exploded for five runs over the first three innings to lead 5-2 thanks to plenty of well-timed by Arizona.
Unfortunately, that lead didn’t last too long as Grand Canyon responded with a big seventh inning, plating four runs to gain the lead at 6-5.
Fortunately, Arizona responded in a big way as they plated three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to regain the lead at 8-6 thanks to Nik McClaughry’s three-run blast.
Regrettably, GCU would add three more runs in the ensuing inning to make it 9-8 Lopes, regaining control.
Needing to show some sort of life, the Wildcats would come alive in the bottom of the ninth, using some well-timed hitting to set up Mac Bingham who doubled to left field with one out to tie the game at 9-9, sending this one into extras!
Luckily, Arizona came up big in the end as the Wildcats kept the offense going, using more well-timed hitting, thanks to Emilio Corona, he continued his big day as he singled up the middle, scoring Tyler Casagrande and helping to walk this one off for the Wildcats!
Arizona would earn the hard-fought, 10-9 win in extra innings to snap their three-game skid!
WALK 'EM OFF, @emiliocorona0!! 🥳 #BearDown pic.twitter.com/3v7RL5U5WZ
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) March 29, 2023
Where does Arizona Baseball go from here?
With the win, Arizona improves to 14-9 (3-6) on the season and will return to action this weekend against Oregon to resume Pac-12 play for a three-game against the Ducks in Tucson. First pitch for Friday is set for 6:00 P.M. MST!
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