If history repeats itself, everything was in line for Arizona baseball. Hoping to get back to the College World Series again after falling one game short last year against Coastal Carolina, the Wildcats dealt with a litany of weather last post season, and as Arizona kicked off play against Sam Houston State tonight in the Lubbock regional (also their first round opponent last year), they faced yet another weather delay.
The game's first pitch was thrown nearly 3 hours after it was originally scheduled, but Arizona was the only team to start their ace in game 1, as JC Cloney took the mound for the Cats tonight. The game ended up being somewhat of a bullpen game for the Bearkats, as they hold on to their ace for tomorrow's game against Texas Tech.
But it was a game of missed opportunities for Arizona, leaving 11 men left on base, and only plating 4 runs. The Bearkats took a 3 run lead on a home run by Robbie Rojas in the 6th, but the Cats responded with a leadoff triple by catcher Ryan Haug. Cesar Salazar drove in his fellow catcher with a groundout, but that only cut the lead to 2.
Arizona tried for another comeback in the 7th, after 2 consecutive walks JJ Matijevic was at the plate after a failed suicide squeeze didn't score the runner from 2nd. Matijevic strunk out swinging for the fences, as the Bearkats ended the inning, and the Cats threat.
Arizona will play Delaware in an elimination game Saturday at noon, Arizona time. The game can be seen on ESPN3.
