TUCSON, Ariz. – The Arizona Wildcats opened their 2019 season with a 12-4 rout of UMass Lowell on Friday night at Hi Corbett Field.
 
The Wildcats jumped on the River Hawks early, jumping out to a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning and never looking back. Arizona piled on two more in the fourth and fifth innings, one run in the sixth, and polished off the night with a three-run eighth inning to seal the 12-4 victory.
 
Freshman first baseman Austin Wells led the way for the Wildcats on offense, finishing the night 3-for-5 with two runs scored, one double, one home run, and four RBI. Wells' first collegiate at-bat ended with a three-run home run hit to straightaway center field that gave Arizona an early 4-0 lead.
 
Also checking in with multiple hits were shortstop Cameron Cannon (2x4, 2 R, 2B, RBI, BB) and left fielder Donta Williams (2x3, 2 R, 2 2B, 2 BB). Center fielder Matt Fraizer (1x3, R, 3B, RBI, 2 BB), designated hitter Ryan Holgate (0x3, 2 BB), catcher Matthew Dyer (1x3, 2 R, 3B, RBI, BB), right fielder Branden Boissiere (1x3, 2 RBI, BB), and second baseman Jacob Blas (1x3, R, 2B, BB) all reached base multiple times to aid the 12-run offensive outburst.
 
Wildcats starter Randy Labaut (1-0) earned his first win of the season after working 5.0 innings and allowing just three runs (two earned) on three hits. He struck out five and issued only one walk on 70 pitches.
 
Senior right-hander Cameron Haskell relieved Labaut and worked the final 4.0 frames for Arizona. He held the visiting River Hawks to just one run on three hits while striking out four to earn the save.
 
The Wildcats and River Hawks return to action with a doubleheader scheduled for Saturday, February 16 at Hi Corbett Field. Game one will begin at 1:00 PM, with game two set for 6:00 PM.