TUCSON, Ariz. — The Arizona Wildcats (11-4) scored five runs across the sixth and seventh innings to beat the Pepperdine Waves (3-14) by a final score of 5-3 on Sunday afternoon, completing the four-game sweep.
With the win the Wildcats improve to 8-0 at home on the year before welcoming in-state rival ASU to Hi Corbett Field on Tuesday night.
Down 3-1 with the bases loaded and one out in the seventh inning, Arizona sent second baseman
Garen Caulfield to the plate. As he has done many times in his four-year career, Caulfield roped a line drive into the right-center field gap, clearing the bases and giving the Wildcats a 4-3 lead they wouldn't relinquish. Over the four-game series against Pepperdine, Caulfield collected two game-winning hits and eight RBI.
Starting pitcher
Smith Bailey limited the Waves to just three runs across 5.2 innings of work, striking out six along the way. He did not factor into the decision.
The trio of
Garrett Hicks,
Hunter Alberini, and
Tony Pluta combined for 3.1 scoreless innings of relief to close out the win for Arizona. Hicks (3-0) earned the win and Pluta (2) picked up the save.
Arizona WildBATS
Bullpen Bullies
- RHP Garrett Hicks: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, Win (3-0)
- RHP Hunter Alberini: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
- RHP Tony Pluta: 1.0 IP, 0 R, 0 BB, Save (2)
Numbers of the Day
- The Wildcats 8-0 home record is their best start to their home schedule since the 2018 team won their first 10 home games of the season.
- Arizona has now won 11 of their last 12 games.
Photo of the Day
Social Media Coverage
Next Up
The Wildcats host ASU for a midweek non-conference matchup at Hi Corbett Field on Tuesday, March 11. Tickets are available for purchase
here.
