BASE: Arizona Wildcats drop 2 of 3 to Baylor

TUCSON, AZ– Arizona entered the weekend 4-1 in the Big 12, well positioned in the conference before welcoming the Baylor Bears to Hi Corbett Field. However, Arizona lost two out of three to Baylor and now sits at 6-3 in conference play, tied with Kansas for third in the Big 12.

Friday: Arizona got strong offense, including from shortstop Mason White, who was 3-5 and scored 3 runs. Adonys Guzman benefited from hitting 2 places behind White, both of his RBI’s occurred when White touched home plate. Guzman’s second RBI came in the bottom of the 5th inning, and narrowed the game to a 5-4 Baylor advantage. Baylor quickly expanded their lead adding 2 insurance runs in the top of the 6th. The Bears would go on to win 8-5, capitalizing on Arizona’s poor pitching, including a start from Soph. Collin McKinney, who put 6 runners on base over just 1 & 1/3rd inning.

Final: Baylor 8, Arizona 5

3B Maddox Mihalakis during an at-bat on Friday March 28th against Baylor at Hi Corbett Field. Photo: Augustin Soto, KAMP SPORTS

Catcher Adonys Guzman prepares pregame for Arizona’s first game against Baylor. Photo: Augustin Soto, KAMP SPORTS

Saturday: The Wildcats got better pitching on Saturday, but gave Baylor offensive opportunities with brutal defense. Already trailing 1-0 in the top of the 2nd inning, Arizona’s starting pitcher, Stefan Stahl made an errant throw to first base, putting on base an eventual unearned run. However, the Wildcats defense especially struggled in the third inning. Now in a 3-0 hole, things got worse for the cats when they suffered two errors, one bad throw from Mason White on a challenging play, and another by 3B Maddox Mihalakis, who couldn’t field a grounder to the corner. Arizona would make a late charge cutting Baylor’s lead down to 6-3 in the 5th, but neither team scored in the final 4 innings.

Final: Baylor 6, Arizona 3

Starting Pitcher Owen Kramkowski delivers a pitch Saturday night against Baylor. Kramkowski struggled to overcome three errors, one of which was committed by himself. Photo: Augustin Soto, KAMP SPORTS

Garen Caulfield lines a single to the opposite field in the bottom of the 5th inning Saturday Night. Photo: Augustin Soto, KAMP SPORTS

Sunday: The Wildcats wasted no time Sunday urgently looking to avoid a sweep. Early in the inning, CF Aaron Walton drove a 2 run homerun, bringing in Garen Caulfield who led the inning off with a walk. The Cats would belt three more extra base hits before the innings closed–eventually scoring 10 runs in the first inning on 8 hits, 2 walks and 1 HBP. Arizona never looked back, despite giving up a run in the second and 5 runs between the 4th and 5th innings, the Cats bullpen held strong in the final 4 innings closing out their only win of the series.

Final: Baylor 6, Arizona 11

CF Aaron Wilson trots home following a two run homer early in the first inning on Sunday March 30th. Photo: Augustin Soto, KAMP SPORTS

Arizona’s dugout celebrates a fruitful first inning that closed with the Wildcats in front 10-0. Photo: Augustin Soto, KAMP SPORTS