HOUSTON, Texas — The Arizona Wildcats (36-18, 18-12) wrapped up the regular season with an 8-1 series-clinching victory over the Houston Cougars (29-24, 12-17) on Saturday afternoon.
With the win, Arizona secured a first round bye in next week's Phillips 66 Big 12 Baseball Championship played at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. The Wildcats tournament journey will begin in the quarterfinals on Thursday, May 22 at 7:00 a.m. MST on ESPN+; they will play the winner of the Arizona State–BYU game on Wednesday morning.
The Wildcats finished the regular season with 36 wins and 18 Big 12 Conference victories. Arizona's 36 regular season wins are their most since tallying 40 in 2021.
Freshman starting pitcher
Smith Bailey authored the best start of his collegiate career, working 6.0 innings and limiting the Cougars to just one run on three hits. Bailey struck out five and earned the win to improve to 2-3 on the year.
The Wildcats sent three relievers out to follow Bailey — right-handers
Julian Tonghini,
Hunter Alberini, and
Tony Pluta combined for three scoreless innings and six strikeouts while allowing just one hit.
Arizona's offense was led by a three-hit performance from first baseman
Andrew Cain, who swatted a home run and two doubles while driving in two runs.
Shortstop
Mason White also homered, sending out a two-run shot in the top of the fifth to cap the day's scoring.
Arizona WildBATS
- 1B Andrew Cain: 3-for-4, 2 R, 2 2B, HR, 2 RBI
- SS Mason White: 1-for-3, 2 R, HR, 2 RBI
- DH Adonys Guzman: 1-for-4, R, 2B, 2 RBI
- RF Brendan Summerhill: 1-for-3, R, 2B, 2 BB
Bullpen Bullies
- RHP Julian Tonghini: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
- RHP Hunter Alberini: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 K
- RHP Tony Pluta: 1.0 IP, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Number of the Day
- Mason White now boasts 101 career extra-base hits, tied for third most in program history with his current head coach, Chip Hale.
- His 23 extra-base hits in Big 12 games this year are the most in conference play in program history.
Photo of the Day
Social Media Coverage
Next Up
Arizona awaits their opponent at the Big 12 Baseball Championship next week in Arlington. The Wildcats first game will be on Thursday, May 22 at Globe Life Field.
Â
