Feb. 26, 2011
Arizona 9, LBSU 1 (Box Score)
LONG BEACH, Calif. - A six-run fifth inning and home runs by Josh Garcia and Robert Refsnyder were more than enough offense for the No. 18 Arizona baseball team as starting pitcher Kyle Simon allowed just one run in eight innings to lead the Wildcats to a 9-1 victory over Long Beach State on a cold and wet Saturday night at Blair Field.
Simon, who earned his second win of the season, struck out seven opposing hitters and scattered five hits with just one walk. The right-hander held the Dirtbags without a run over the first seven innings of play. Even then, the run allowed was unearned.
By that time, the Wildcats had built a commanding nine-run lead thanks to an offensive explosion that totaled 15 base hits in the game. Six Wildcat players registered multiple hits in the game and the top five hitters in the lineup combined for eight RBI.
Leading 2-0, Arizona (4-1) padded its advantage with six runs in the fifth inning. With one out, Jett Bandy reached on a two-base throwing error and came in to score as Refsnyder doubled down the right field line. Garcia then stepped in and blasted his fourth home run of the young season over the left field fence to give the Wildcats a 5-0 cushion.
The damage was enough to force Long Beach State (2-4) to go to the bullpen and cut short starter Matt Johnson's day on the mound. Johnson suffered the loss after giving up five runs - four earned - over 4.1 innings pitched.
The Wildcats kept on the offensive against reliever Ryan Strufing. Johnny Field roped the first pitch he saw to the left field corner for a double. Seth Mejias-Brean singled, and with two outs Bryce Ortega drew a walk to load the bases.
Centerfield Joey Rickard, one of three Wildcats to tally three hits on the day, knocked a single to left centerfield to drive in two runs. A third run scored on the play as Dirtbag left fielder Juan Avila bobbled the ball, which also allowed Rickard to scoot into second base.
When the inning was over, it was a dominating 8-0 lead for the Wildcats. But for good measure, Refsnyder crushed a solo home run to left field to open the top of the sixth inning off reliever Jon Maciel.
From there, Simon continued his strong work on the mound. Only an unearned run in the bottom of the eighth following a three-base throwing by Mejia would allow the Dirtbags to get on the board.
Bryce Bandilla came on to pitch the ninth ending and struck out two to close the game.
Simon's eight-inning effort on Saturday rivaled his season debut a week ago when he struck out a career-high 13 in 7.2 innings against North Dakota State. But this was a step up in competition on the road and he delivered again.
Through two games, Simon has 20 strikeouts against just one walk in 15.2 innings pitched on the season. He has allowed just one earned run and six hits in those games.
Arizona's victory evened the series at one win apiece with one game to play. The rubber is set for 1 p.m. (PST) on Sunday afternoon at Blair Field.
