The University of Arizona baseball team (6-9, 0-0 Big 12) won all three games in a home series against California State University, Fresno (7-7, 0-0 MWC). The Wildcats, after starting their season 1-8, have now won five of their last six games. Two of them being in the College Baseball Classic, and three of them coming from this series.

Game One

This matchup is the first time both programs have played each other since 2023. With runners on first and second, the Wildcats had a chance to set the tone early in this game. On a 1-2 pitch, Tony Lira smashed a high fastball into left field that carried over the wall, and towards the scoreboard. He got Arizona going with an early 3-0 lead. Shortly after, Jackson Forbes hit a groundball to first base which allowed Maddox Mihalakis to score. It was a fielder’s choice, and it extended the Wildcats lead to four. 

Later in the fourth inning, Mihalakis swung at the first pitch and sent it deep to left field. It was caught by Fresno State’s Barclay Ovalle, however it was deep enough for Arizona’s Tyler Bickers to tag the base and score. This run emphasized a dominant 5-0 lead. 

Not only did the Wildcats get things done from the plate, they also delivered from the mound. Junior Owen Kramkowski got his groove back after a rocky start to the season. In six innings, he threw 90 pitches, struck out 12 batters, allowed no runs and only five hits. The Wildcats took the victory against the Bulldogs 6-0 in game one of the series.

Game Two

Similar to the first, Arizona took control in the second game of the weekend. In the second inning, on an 0-1 pitch, Arizona’s TJ Adams hit a ball deep into center field, which was caught by Fresno State’s Sky Collins. However, it was deep enough to score Mihalakis and give the Wildcats the game’s first run. 

The Wildcats hitting came after the sixth inning, however the bullpen of Arizona stayed strong for the second game in a row. Arizona starting pitcher Smith Bailey has started the year on a strong note. Bailey pitched seven scoreless innings and gave up only four hits, two walks and struck out nine total batters. With this performance, Bailey gave his team many opportunities to break it open.

In the sixth inning, Arizona’s Tyler Bickers on a 2-0 pitch, smacked a ball into the left center field gap for a base hit. Adams rounded third base and scored easily on the play, it was an RBI single for Bickers and the Wildcats kept pounding. Into the seventh inning, the Wildcats finally broke through, scoring four runs in the frame. It started with a Mihalakis double into the gap of right center field which allowed Andrew Cain to slide into home safety after starting from first. 

Shortly after, on an 0-1 pitch, Roman Meyers hit a ball through the left side for a base hit. Mihalakis from second, headed home for the plate and made it a 4-0 Arizona lead. Carson McEntire was up to bat and had a chance to put the game out of reach for the Wildcats. On a full count pitch, McEntire turned on a ball deep into left field, as we watched it soar over the wall. It was a two-run bomb, and it looked like things were out of reach for Fresno State down six runs.

Going into the eighth inning, Fresno State needed some offense to generate, having less than five hits through seven innings. They started a rally with an RBI single from Owen Faust. He drove home the runner from second base, and the Bulldogs were on the board. Shortly after, Mikey Boyd hit a ball through the infield for another hit which scored two runs. Then, on a 1-2 pitch, Bulldog’s Zach Plasschaert turned on a ball, it was a fair ball down the right field line and into the corner. With the runners going, both Boyd and Marcus Nolen scored. The score was now 5-6, which now was anybody’s game.

However, in the end the Wildcats shut the door on the Bulldogs rally. Arizona capped off a 9-5 victory with a three run eighth inning. 

Game Three

Hoping to complete the sweep, the Wildcats were eager to get into this game. However, after an accidental balk by Arizona’s Luc Fladda allowed all runners to advance which allowed Fresno State’s first run of the game. Arizona responded to this with an RBI double from Cain to tie the game. Shortly after, Mihalakis hit a ball through the right side for a base hit, Cain from second scored, that made it 2-1 Arizona. 

In the third inning, Arizona put up five runs. It was highlighted by a two-RBI single by Jackson Forbes, and a two-RBI triple by McEntire to make it 7-2 after three innings of baseball. Arizona also scored additional runs in the fourth, sixth and eighth. By the middle innings, Arizona had built a commanding lead that Fresno State couldn’t overcome. When it was all said and done, the Wildcats put up 14 hits and scored 14 runs from it. The Wildcats took this one 14-4, and completed the sweep in dominant fashion.

Looking forward 

After winning five of their last six games, Arizona baseball goes on the road to take on ASU on Tuesday, March 10 at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. This game starts at 6:35 p.m. and will be available to stream on ESPN+.

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