TUCSON, Ariz. - The Wildcats (25-14, 9-8 Pac-12) will go for its first Pac-12 sweep of the season Sunday afternoon when they hook up with Cal.
LIVE AUDIO // LIVE STATS // TWITTER UPDATES
Fri., Apr. 22
Arizona 3, Cal 0
Sat., Apr. 23
Arizona 8, Cal 5 (13)
Sun., Apr. 24
1 p.m. MST
TBA vs. LHP Matt Ladrech
All-Time Series: Arizona leads 104-75
Last Meetings: California swept Arizona in Tucson in 2015
Streak: California has won five in a row
First Meetings: The two teams first met in 1951
Some Series Themes: The Wildcats are coming off a good home series win against Stanford and a win on Wednesday over New Mexico State, who have both been playing some good baseball as of late … Sunday's game left a bad taste in their mouth though as they lost the lead in the ninth inning on a two-run inside the park home run, but it was nice to see the Wildcats rebound and take one from the Aggies despite being in an early 3-0 hole … Once again, the starting pitching was out of this world against Stanford, and that has become a strength of this team … Nathan Bannister tossed a complete game and allowed just one run on five hits on Friday … Cameron Ming followed that up with his longest outing of his career and his first win of the season. He threw seven shutout innings while allowing just five hits … Bobby Dalbec was solid in his Sunday start and pitched well enough to win as he allowed four runs in 7.2 innings of work … Kevin Ginkel got the start on Wednesday and was doing a good job of pumping strikes, but his defense struggled behind him with three errors in the first two innings, which led to three unearned runs … Offensively, JJ Matijevic has been on a tear in his last four games as he is 8-15 with five RBI, a double and a home run … It will be important to get him going if the Cats want to make a run to the postseason … Ryan Aguilar and Zach Gibbons were back at it as they were 9-20 between the two of them in the Stanford series and were a combined 3-10 with four RBI on Wednesday … Ryan Haug got a chance to start two games against Stanford behind the dish and against New Mexico State as well. He went 4-10 in those three games … It will be interesting to see what head coach Jay Johnson does with Haug and Cesar Salazar behind the dish. He has the luxury of having right-handed and left-handed catchers, so a platoon system is not out of the question … After missing a few games, Alfonso Rivas III was back in the lineup on Wednesday and went 1-4 with a double and a run scored … The Golden Bears of California have been the most consistent team in the Pac-12 so far, so the Wildcats will have to be on top of their game this weekend.
Arizona vs. New Mexico State recap: Arizona rallied late to top the Aggies 8-7 Wednesday night in the team's lone mid-week game leading into the Cal series. Alfonso Rivas earned the win in relief, tossing 1 2/3 scoreless innings of relief. Arizona scored once in the seventh and twice more in the eighth to grab the win from the Aggies. J.J. Matijevic led the way offensively for the Cats. The sophomore second baseman went 3 for 5 with two runs scored, two RBI and his second home run of the season. Arizona also got two-hit games from catcher Ryan Haug and right fielder Zach Gibbons. Gibbons, who is batting .359 this season, had a season-high three RBI in the win. Justin Behnke was 1 for 2 with two runs scored in the victory.
Arizona vs. Cal: The Wildcats and Golden Bears first met in 1951 and Arizona holds an all-time lead of 104-75 in the series. Cal swept Arizona last season at Hi Corbett Field and has won five of the past six matchups in the series. Cal won two of three from Arizona in 2014; the last time the Wildcats visited Berkeley. Prior to that stretch, Arizona had won eight of nine in the series, sweeping Cal in 2012 and 2013. The Cats took two of three from the Bears in 2011. In Arizona's most recent win at Cal in 2014, James Farris tossed a shutout to help Arizona win 6-0. Current Wildcat Zach Gibbons batted leadoff and went 2 for 4 with a run scored in the win.
Pitching Notes
No Senioritis for Bannister: Senior right-hander Nathan Bannister has developed into the ace of the staff for the Arizona Wildcats this season. Bannister leads the team in innings pitched (64.2), strikeouts (45) and is tied for the lead in starts (nine) and complete games (one). He also has the most wins (five) as a starting pitcher for the Cats. Bobby Dalbec leads the staff with seven wins, but five of those came in relief. All total this season, Bannister is 5-1 with a 2.92 ERA. Opposing batters are hitting just .205 against him this season and he's holding left-handed hitters to a .178 average, holding them to just 18-101. He's also holding hitters to a .147 clip with two outs (11-75) and a .211 average with runners on base. He fired his first complete game of the season last weekend versus Stanford and is 5-0 with a 0.86 ERA at Hi Corbett Field this season. When the count is 0-2 or 1-2, opposing hitters are just 4-56 (.071) against Bannister.
Clowning on Hitters: Junior left-hander JC Cloney has brought stability and aggressiveness to the Arizona starting rotation this year in his first season with the Wildcats. The junior college transfer leads qualifying pitchers on the roster with a 2.72 ERA in 53 innings. He's made nine starts, going 3-2 with one complete game, which came last month at home against UCLA. Cloney has been especially good in two areas this season -- versus left-handed hitters and facing men with runners on base. Against lefties, Cloney is allowing batters to hit just .211 (8-38). With runners on, opposing batters are batting just .217 (18-83). Cloney has also been good to end frames, holding hitters to .246 hitting with two outs. Cloney did not pitch in the Stanford series, but is expected back against Cal.
The Stanford Stopper: Junior left-hander Cameron Ming started last Saturday against Stanford for the first time since a March 26 start against UCLA. Ming flourished against the Cardinal, tossing seven shutout innings and scattering just five hits. He walked two and struck out two. Ming earned the win, which marked his first decision in 31 career appearances. Ming had been 0-0 over his first 30, before being credited with the win over Stanford. Ming's seven innings were a career high. In two conference starts this season, Ming has combined to go 12 innings, allowing nine hits and just two runs, while striking out six and walking three. The lefty has also made 10 relief appearances this season and is holding opposing hitters to a .253 average with runners on base.
Holding Hitters Down: Arizona pitchers are holding opposing hitters to a .246 opposing batting average, which ranks fourth in the Pac-12 behind Stanford, Oregon State and Oregon. The Cats pitchers have maintained that clip, despite throwing the most innings of any staff in the league at 325 2/3. Bobby Dalbec, who has moved from the bullpen into the starting rotation recently, is holding hitters to just a .211 average. Nathan Bannister is allowing hitters to hit just .205 against him and Kevin Ginkel has hitters at .233.
The Great Dalbino: Junior third baseman/pitcher Bobby Dalbec continues to prove he's one of the best two-way players in the nation. The right-hander has made three straight starts after appearing out of the bullpen for his first 13 appearances of the season. Dalbec is 7-3 on the season with a 2.96 ERA and five saves. His seven wins lead the Pac-12 and are tied for third nationally. Dalbec has 39 strikeouts in 48 2/3 innings and is holding left-handed hitters to just a .158 average (12-76). The junior has shown off remarkable versatility in his pitching. In eight of his appearances, he's thrown less than 30 pitches. In four, he's thrown more than 100. Dalbec has 102 RBI to his credit at the plate in his career and 108 strikeouts on the mound. He's the only player in program history with double-digit career wins (13), saves (12) and home runs (21), proving why he's such a valuable weapon at the plate and on the mound. Dalbec was named to the 24-man John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Watch List. He's the only Pac-12 player on the list. It's the second straight year Dalbec has been on the watch list.
A Starting Surge: Over the past 12 Pac-12 games, Arizona starting pitchers have an ERA of 2.32. Over those 12 starts, Arizona pitchers have gone at least five innings 11 times. The starters have gone at least seven innings eight different times. The starters have struck out 48 batters over 81 1/3 innings and have issued just 16 walks. The starters have given up just 63 hits over that span. All total in Pac-12 games, opposing batters are hitting just .239 against Arizona pitchers, which ranks third best in the league behind Oregon State and Stanford. Arizona's staff ERA of 3.93 in conference games is fourth best in the league.
Rivas Ripping it: Bobby Dalbec isn't the only two-way standout for the Wildcats this season. Freshman Alfonso Rivas is also pulling double duty. Rivas earned his first win on the mound Wednesday against New Mexico State, tossing 1 2/3 scoreless innings in relief. Rivas didn't allow a hit or walk and struck out one. Rivas also appeared for two innings against Stanford last weekend in the middle game of the three-game set. Rivas tossed two innings, giving up one run on one hit. On the season, Rivas has a 4.63 ERA in 11 2/3 innings. He has appeared in seven games since March 22 after appearing just once in the first month of the season. At the plate, Rivas has 99 at-bats and is batting .303 with eight doubles. Coach Jay Johnson has said he expects Rivas to see more and more time on the mound during the back half of the season.
Hartman Heating Up: Sophomore right-hander Matt Hartman has started to develop into a weapon out of the bullpen for Arizona. Hartman made just two appearances each in February and March, but has already appeared in four games in April. In those four appearances, Hartman has given up two run over 5 2/3 innings and has struck out eight, while walking just one. Hartman tossed two scoreless innings against Washington State and one inning against Arizona State. He retired the only batter he faced against Stanford. The sophomore from San Diego then tossed 2 1/3 against New Mexico State on Wednesday, giving up one run, but striking out three and not issuing a walk.
Welcome Back Crawford: After 732 days away from the mound, senior left-hander Tyler Crawford returned to the hill earlier this month at Arizona State. Crawford faced three batters, recording two outs and a walk. He notched a strikeout in his return. Crawford, the only remaining member from the 2012 National Championship team, missed the 2015 season with Tommy John Surgery and was out for a large part of the 2014 season as well. Crawford figures to be a meaningful piece out of the bullpen going forward, especially against left-handers. The lefty saw more action Wednesday against New Mexico State. He picked off a runner at first base, before giving up a solo home run in Arizona's 8-7 win.
Hitting Notes
Going Streaking: Zach Gibbons has reached base in 35 consecutive games (did not play in two games earlier in the season) … He also reached base in the last four games of the 2015 season making his streak 39 games between the two seasons … The senior is also in the middle of an eight-game hitting streak … Cody Ramer has also reached base in 15 straight games and has recorded a hit in six straight … Bobby Dalbec has reached base in 10 straight games.
Ramer Ramps It Up: Cody Ramer has been spectacular this year for Arizona in his senior season … Prior to this year, Ramer had not batted over .250 for a season and is currently second on the team with a .351 batting average this year … He has already made 151 at bats this year, which is the most he has made in one season. His previous high was 124 in 2014 … Coming into this season, he had collected 50 hits for his career and has 53 through the first 37 games of the season … The senior has been playing at an All-Conference level this season, and his numbers prove it … He is tied for first the Pac-12 in hits (53), is third in runs scored (32), is tied for the lead in triples (5) and has the eighth-best batting average (.351) … As the team's normal leadoff hitter, it is a good sign to see that he has an on base percentage of .443 when he is the leads off the inning … He is also batting .349 with runners in scoring position and .435 with two outs … Earlier this season, he had a hitting streak of 12 games and is currently in the middle of an 15-game on-base streak … It is not irregular for a player to start off hot in the non-conference portion of the season and to struggle once they get to Pac-12. That is not the case with Ramer though. The senior is batting .333 in conference play, which is the third-highest on the team.
Zach Gibbons Knows the Keys to Success: Zach Gibbons collected his 200th-career hit on Mar. 12 against Sacramento State … Gibbons is now 19 hits away from breaking into the top 10 in Arizona history with 21 regular season games remaining … Gibbons has been a model of consistency since he became a Wildcat in 2013. He has collected 231 career hits with a batting average of .324 and an OBP of .407 … This year, he is batting .359 with 47 hits, 25 RBI and five doubles with six stolen bases while manning right field … He has for the fourth-most hits in the conference, his batting average is good for seventh and his OBP of .453 is fifth … Gibbons has recorded at least one hit in 22 of his last 23 games.
Aggie Comes Into His Own: Senior Ryan Aguilar was given the chance to be the starting first baseman by head coach Jay Johnson this year, and he has done nothing to disappoint … After playing in just 26 games and hitting below the Mendoza line in 2015, Aguilar is third on the team in batting average (.329) and leads the team in home runs (5) … Aggie has collected 48 hits this year, which is second on the team and third in the Conference of Champions … The senior is second on the team in doubles with 10 and is tied for eighth in the Pac-12 … He also leads the team and is tied for fifth in the Pac-12 with 27 RBI … Aguilar also knows how to deliver in the clutch as he is batting .405 with two outs, .333 with runners in scoring position and .333 with runners on base … The senior also has had 13 opportunities with a runner on third base with less than two outs. In those situations, Aguilar has collected nine RBI … Aguilar has scored 29 runs for Arizona, which is the fifth-most in the Pac-12 … Aguilar also played some left field against Arizona State on Apr. 12.
Matijevic Finding His Stroke: In his last four games, JJ Matijevic has gone 8-15 at the plate with five RBI, four runs scored, a double and a home run … In his previous 12 games, the sophomore went 6-38 with three RBI and three runs scored … Matijevic is batting .308 for the year with 19 RBI, six doubles, a triple and two home runs, which included a grand slam.
A Balanced Attack: Arizona has 214 RBI as a team this season and Ryan Aguilar leads the way with 27 … The Wildcats have 10 players with at least 12 RBI and have eight with at least 17 … Cody Ramer, Aguilar and Zach Gibbons are all in the top four in the Pac-12 in hits … Ramer is tied for first in the conference with 53, Aguilar is third with 48 and Zach Gibbons is fourth with 47.
A Hot Start: 90 of Arizona's 239 runs have come in the first three innings and the Wildcats have allowed just 40 in the first three innings … In the second inning, Arizona is outscoring their opponent 42-15 and is outscoring their opponent 23-4 in the third inning … The Wildcats are 17-7 when leading after the third inning.
Road Warriors: The Wildcats seem to have success at the plate away from Hi Corbett … In 17 games away from home, Arizona is batting .294 as a team with 33 doubles, four triples and nine home runs … In eight fewer games, the Wildcats have hit two more doubles and two more home runs on the road … Cody Ramer is batting a scalding .394 on the road while Cesar Salazar is right behind him with a .391 average on the road … Zach Gibbons (.313) and Alfonso Rivas III (.300) are the only other Wildcats to bat over .300 on the road … Salazar has played in 13 games on the road as opposed to 17 games at home and has 10 more road hits.
Triple Threat: The Wildcats have hit 18 triples this season, which is the fifth-most in the NCAA and second in the Pac-12 behind Oregon State … Jared Oliva and Cody Ramer are ninth in the nation and tied for first in the Pac-12 with five.
Butter and Eggs: A key stat for all baseball teams is how they hit when there are runners on base and when they are in scoring position … Arizona has been good all season in that department, which is a major reason why they lead the Pac-12 in runs scored (247) and runs per game (6.8) … With runners on base, Arizona is batting .318 as a team and when they are in scoring position they are batting .319 … Zach Gibbons leads Arizona with 30 hits when runners are on base and is batting .435 in those situations … Gibbons also leads the team with 22 hits when runners are in scoring position and is batting a scorching .440 in those situations … Kyle Lewis, who has gotten more playing time as of late is 5-6 when runners are in scoring position, a huge reason he has come into the game as a pinch hitter a lot recently.
Walk This Way: Justin Behnke ranks first in the conference and 29th in the nation with 31 walks … Although Behnke has a batting average of just .237, his on base percentage of .464 is the highest on the team … Bobby Dalbec is second in the Pac-12 and 50th in the nation in walks as he has been awarded 29th free passes … As a team, the Wildcats have been walked 173 times, which leads the Pac-12 and is 37th in the NCAA.
A Sacrifice Worth Making: Arizona has 42 sacrifice bunts this season, which ranks first in the conference and 10th in the nation … Louis Boyd leads the way with seven while Jared Oliva has six … The Wildcats are also third in the conference with 14 sacrifice flies. Ryan Aguilar is tied for second in the Pac-12 with four.
Hits = Wins: There is a huge difference in hitting numbers for the Wildcats when it comes to wins and losses … Arizona is batting .335 with an OBP of .427 in victories and are batting .225 with an OBP of .324 in losses … Cody Ramer and Zach Gibbons are the only Wildcats to bat over .300 in losses while in the 23 games that Arizona has won, 11 Wildcats are batting over .300.
Speed Kills: While Jared Oliva is tied for the lead in the conference with five triples, he is also the Pac-12 leader in stolen bases with 10 while being caught just two times … Oliva has 14 career stolen bases in his two years as a Wildcat.
Fielding Notes
Showing Some Leather: Arizona has been solid in the field this year as they have the third-best fielding percentage in the Pac-12 with a mark of .977 … The Wildcats are also 22nd in the nation in fielding percentage … Arizona has made just 32 errors in 1,403 chances, which is the fourth-fewest in the Pac-12 … Cody Ramer and Louis Boyd have combined for 174 assists while mostly playing in the middle of the infield … Bobby Dalbec is second on the team in assists with 70 and has just made three errors in 95 chances.
Sneaky Sally: Cesar Salazar has picked off two runners from the catcher position, both during Pac-12 play … Only one other catcher in the Pac-12 (Arizona State's Brian Serven) has picked off more than one runner … However, Salazar is the only catcher to have both of them in Pac-12 play … Salazar and Utah's Jayson Rose (pitcher) and AJ Young (catcher) are the only players to have multiple pickoffs in Pac-12 play.
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