MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- The Arizona Wildcats opened play at the Dairy Queen Classic-Pac-12/Big 10 Challenge on Friday with a 3-2 loss in 12 innings to the host Minnesota Golden Gophers. Illinois then topped Arizona 4-3 in the Wildcats' fourth one-run loss of the season through 10 games. 

The Cats will look to get back on track Sunday morning with their final matchup against Michigan State. First pitch is set for 9 a.m., Tucson time. 

Below is a full preview:
Date                        Time (MST)                                    Matchup                                       Location (Ballpark)
Fri., March 2             6 p.m.                                        Minnesota 3, Arizona 2 (12)              Minneapolis, Minn. (US Bank Stadium)
Sat., March 3            2 p.m.                                        Illinois 4, Arizona 3                            Minneapolis, Minn. (US Bank Stadium)
Sun. March 4            9 a.m.                                        Arizona vs. Michigan State                Minneapolis, Minn. (US Bank Stadium)

Leading Off...
•    For the first time since 2006, Arizona returns to Minneapolis. The Cats played in the Dairy Queen Classic, topping Minneosta and Notre Dame and faling to Nebraska. 
•    The Wildcats will play three games in three days against three different opponents for the second straight weekend after participating in the Tony Gwynn Legacy last weekend in San Diego. 
•    Junior first baseman Alfonso Rivas, a second-team All-America selection last year, and a first-team preseason pick this year, enters the weekend with 99 career RBI and a six-game hitting streak.
•    Arizona is 13-17 all-time against Minnesota, 0-1 against Michigan State and has never played Illinois before in program history. 
•    Arizona pitchers have posted a 2.01 ERA so far this season, and have allowed the fewest runs through eight games since 2007.
•    Tylor Megill has saved three of Arizona's five wins this season, already equaling his total from a year ago.


Some Game Themes: In a bit of a reverse trip, Arizona will head from the nice, warm temperatures of the Grand Canyon State to Minneapolis for three games inside US Bank Stadium, site of last month's Super Bowl…Arizona will face three Big 10 programs in Minnesota, Illinois and Michigan State…The Cats are already 1-0 against Big 10 teams this year, beating Michigan 9-5 last weekend in San Diego…This is Arizona's first trip to Minneapolis since the 2006 season when the Wildcats participated in the Dairy Queen Classic…Since renamed, the Dairy Queen Classic/Pac-10/Big 10 Challenge will feature three teams from the Pac-12, Arizona, Washington and UCLA and three from the Big 10…Arizona will open with Minnesota on Friday night, who comes in with a 7-2 record, fresh off a pair of midweek victories this week at US Bank Stadium…The Golden Gophers are hitting .327 as a team and are led by Eli Wilson and Terrin Vavra, who are both hitting better than .400 this season…The pitching staff has a 3.42 ERA and has totaled 70 strikeouts in 79 innings…Illinois enters at 3-3 on the year…Bren Spillane leads the team with a .391 batting average and has five extra-base hits in six games…Michigan State, at 2-5 on the year, is led by Ryan King, who has an early-season batting average of .381…Arizona will play the night game Friday against Minnesota, before having the middle game Saturday against Illinois and the early game Sunday against Michigan State…This weekend wraps up an eight-game stretch where the Wildcats played seven games on the road…The Wildcats return home after this for four straight at Hi Corbett Field…Juniors Cesar Salazar and Alfonso Rivas have paved the way offensively for Arizona this season, both batting better than .330 in the early going…Rivas has 10 RBI on the season and 99 for his career…Junior right-hander Cody Deason will start Friday's game, while Michael Flynn is scheduled to follow on Saturday…Arizona has yet to announce a starter for Sunday...Arizona has never faced Illinois before...The Wildcats last appeared in this tournament in 2006, going 2-1 with wins over Minnesota and Notre Dame and a loss to Nebraska. 

No Runs for You: In Coach Jay Johnson's first season at Arizona in 2016, the Wildcats surrendered 44 total runs through their first eight games of the season. Last season, Arizona gave up 39 runs in its first eight contests. This year, that number has been drastically reduced. Arizona has given up just 20 runs in its first eight games this season, which is the program's lowest total since 2007 when the pitching staff allowed just 18 runs. From 2008 to 2017, the fewest amount of runs Arizona surrendered in its first eight was 25 in 2011. Arizona hasn't allowed more than five runs in a game. The last time Arizona didn't give up more than five runs in a game through its first eight was 1973.  Year            Runs Allowed
2018            20
2017            39
2016            44
2015            31
2014            30
2013            31
2012            29
2011            25
2010            43
2009            46
2008            45
2007            18

What a Start: Arizona pitching has set the tone for the season thus far. Arizona has a staff ERA of just 2.01 so far this season, allowing just 53 hits in 71 2/3 total innings. Wildcat pitchers have combined to strike out 66, while allowing 30 walks. Opposing batters are hitting just .219 against Arizona pitching with 10 extra-base hits in eight games. It's been a collective effort from the start with six pitchers having already logged five or more innings. Senior Robby Medel leads the team in appearances with five and has posted 5 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and striking out four. Junior left-hander Avery Weems leads the team in innings with 14 1/3 over three appearances and two starts. Weems is 1-1 with a 1.26 ERA.  

Digging Deeper: Coach Dave Lawn's pitching staff has done several things very well early in the season. First, left-handed hitters are batting just .178 against Arizona pitching, combining to go 18 for 101 so far. Right-handed starters Cody Deason and Michael Flynn have been especially tough on lefties, allowing them to go just 5 for 37 for a .135 average. Another area where Arizona pitchers have excelled is with runners on base. Opposing hitters are just 19 for 107 with runners on for a .178 average. And once Arizona pitchers get to two outs, there's a good shot they're finishing off the inning clean. Opposing batters are just 10 for 69 (.145) with two outs against Arizona pitching. With runners in scoring position, it's not much better with the opposition hitting 12 for 61 in that situation. 

A Very Good Avery: Junior left-hander Avery Weems will undoubtedly draw comparisons to another recent Arizona lefty this season in JC Cloney. Weems, who is wearing the same number Cloney donned – 27—has looked as dangerous as Arizona's Opening Day starter in 2016 and 17. Weems made his Arizona debut in the finale of the Bryant series, drawing the Sunday start. He had an impressive start to his career, going 5 2/3 innings, allowing just one run on six hits, while striking out three and walking two. Weems then showed off his versatility, appearing in relief at San Diego State the following Friday. Weems tossed 2 2/3 hitless innings against the Aztecs, striking out four. Two days later, Weems drew his second start of the season against San Diego. He didn't allow a hit until the fifth inning and went six innings total, allowing just three hits. He allowed four runs, but only one was earned in a 5-3 loss to the Toreros. A Flagstaff native, Weems spent the previous two seasons as Yavapai Junior College in Prescott. 

Randy's Dandy: Sophomore left-hander Randy Labaut had the best outing of his Arizona career against Arkansas, and then followed it up with a stellar start against a potent New Mexico State lineup. Against the Razorbacks, Labaut established new career highs in innings pitched (seven) and strikeouts (seven). He allowed just three hits, one run and no walks. Labaut's previous career high in strikeouts was four, done twice, and his career best in innings was six against USC last season. Against New Mexico State, Labaut lasted just 4 2/3 innings, but gave up just two runs on seven hits, while striking out four and not issuing a walk. On the season now, Labaut has a 2.13 ERA, allowing three runs in 12 2/3 innings. He's struck out 12, compared to just one walk. His control has been much improved this year. Last season, Labaut walked 22 in 31 2/3 innings, compared to 23 strikeouts. The only run Labaut surrendered against Arkansas was a solo home run, which interestingly was the first home run he's allowed in his career. He's allowed just two extra base hits this season. 
Gil's Hill: Arizona has gotten a strong contribution in the early season from freshman left-hander Gil Luna. Listed at 5-11, 170, Luna has a big left arm on a frame that's still growing. The Casa Grande native has already appeared three times and has struck out six in 3 2/3 innings. Luna has allowed just one hit. He was especially impressive in relief of Labaut against Arkansas, coming in and throwing 1 1/3 hitless innings, while striking out three against one of the SEC's best offenses. He allowed his first run of the season against Michigan, going 1 1/3 innings again. Lefties are 0 for 8 against Luna so far this season, and batters are 0 for 7 against him with runners on base. 

Rob-bin' Hitters: Robby Medel has proven he doesn't much care for roles. He'll start, pitch in middle relief and is comfortable closing out games. Medel started eight games as a freshman back in 2015, but has since moved to the bullpen where he's become a valuable piece to a strong group. Medel has yet to allow a run in 5 2/3 innings this season, giving up just two hits and one walk. He's struck out four and earned the first save of his career during the opening weekend against Bryant. Medel then earned his first win since 2016 last weekend against Michigan when he tossed a scoreless inning. Medel will handle various spots for the Wildcats this season, and is especially tough on lefties, who are 0 for 5 against him so far this season. Medel has also yet to allow a leadoff man to reach against him, and batters are 0 for 5 against him with two outs. The leader of the dugout, Medel has been a part of two NCAA Tournament teams and has seen his team win at least 30 games in each of his three full seasons at Arizona. The righty has been a part of 123 wins in his Arizona career. 

Cody Ballgame: After a strong summer in the Cape Cod League, Cody Deason has drawn the first two Friday night assignments for the Wildcats and has pitched well both times out. He tossed seven shutout innings against Bryant, working around five walks. Against San Diego State, Deason went 5 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on six hits, while striking out six. The six strikeouts tied a career high for the junior right-hander. Deason allowed two runs in the first inning against the Aztecs, before settling down and turning in a strong start against a potent offensive lineup. Batters are just 1 for 12 against Deason with two outs. Something else to watch with Deason is the run game. Opposing runners are 0 for 3 against Deason and catcher Cesar Salazar so far this season.

"T" Time: Junior right-hander Tylor Megill has been strong at the end of games for Arizona so far this season, already totaling three saves in just eight games. The senior righty has already matched his save total from last year. Megill closed out the New Mexico State game, pitching two scoreless innings. He allowed a leadoff double to start the eighth, and then retired the next six batters he faced. This came on the heels of tossing 2 1/3 perfect innings against Michigan on Saturday in San Diego. He struck out three, needing just 32 pitches total. He's been Arizona's most effective pitcher against righties, with opposing right-handed hitters just 2 for 117 against Megill. All total, opposing batters are hitting just .160 against him, and he's allowed just one extra-base hit on the season. 

The Cambino: Sophomore second baseman Cameron Cannon has had a strong start to his season. Cannon is hitting .310 through eight games with nine hits, seven runs scored and seven RBI. He's already matched his RBI total from his freshman season. The sophomore from Glendale is 5 for his last 13 and riding a modest three-game hitting streak. He has one RBI in each of his last three and has two straight multi-hit games. In the finale of the Tony Gwynn Legacy, Cannon went 2 for 5 against San Diego with an RBI and a run scored. Tuesday against New Mexico State, he went 2 for 4 with another RBI. He's also played a strong second base defensively for the Wildcats, making just one error in 38 chances. Cannon batted .274 in 84 at-bats last year with a .935 fielding percentage. 

First Up: Junior Alfonso Rivas manned left field as a freshman, before mainly handling the designated hitter role last year as a sophomore. This year, Rivas will move to first base to take over for JJ Matijevic. Rivas was named first-team preseason All-American by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) and a second-team pick by D1Baseball and a third-team selection by Baseball America. He's already backing it up this season, batting .333 through his first eight games. Rivas leads the team in hits and RBI and has Arizona's lone home run of the season. Rivas drove in a career-high six runs against Michigan in Arizona's 9-5 win in San Diego. He went 3 for 5 against the Wolverines, finishing a triple short of the cycle. Rivas is hitting .389 against lefties in the early going this season and is batting .467 (7 for 15) with runners on base this season. He's currently carrying a six-game hitting streak into the weekend and has reached base safely at least once in each of the eight games this season. The junior has 99 career RBI and will reach the century mark with one more RBI this weekend. Player (Class)                                    Year     RBI
Jeff Van Houten (Sophomore)            2003    72
Alfonso Rivas (Sophomore)                2017    63
Brad Glenn (Sophomore)                    2007    62
Jordan Brown (Sophomore)                2004    57
Robert Refsnyder (Sophomore)          2011    55
Bobby Dalbec (Sophomore)                2015    53
Steve Selsky (Sophomore)                  2010    52                               

More on Rivas: The junior from San Diego will look to follow up his banner sophomore season with a strong junior year. Rivas had 20 multiple-hit games last year, while leading the team with 15 multiple-RBI games. Rivas will be a sure fire middle-of-the-order bat for the Wildcats this season after starting 24 times as the team's No. 2 hitter last year and 17 times as the third-place hitter. 

Pac-12 Leaders in On-Base Percentage (2017):
1. Alfonso Rivas, Arizona, .483
2. Dallas Carroll, Utah, .465
3. Nick Madrigal, Oregon State, .449
4. Cal Stevenson, Arizona. .448

Pac-12 Leaders in Batting Average (2017):
1. JJ Matijevic, Arizona, .383
2. Nick Madrigal, Oregon State, .380
3. Alfonso Rivas, Arizona, .371

All Hail, Cesar: Cesar Salazar returns for his third consecutive season as Arizona's primary backstop. Salazar has started 106 games the past two seasons, and has played in 123 games total. The junior from Hermosillo, Mexico, was named All-Pac-12 first-team last year, and was also a member of the Lubbock All-Regional team last year after a strong three-game performance in the postseason. Salazar's offensive production increased last season in several areas. Salazar improved his average, doubles, home runs, RBI and walks total, while striking out three fewer times. He's also posted back-to-back fielding percentages of .992 behind the plate. Salazar threw out 11 of 37 potential base stealers last season. This season, Salazar has thrown three of five base stealers on the season, with the only successful try a double steal. He has six RBI on the season so far in 2018. Salazar is leading the team in batting average at .346 and went 3 for 3 Tuesday against New Mexico State. Salazar has a four-game hitting streak and has reached base in all eight games this season, like Rivas.