SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- The Arizona Wildcats (4-1) started off the 2020 Tony Gwynn Legacy tournament with a 6-5 comeback victory over the Southern Illinois Salukis (3-3) on Friday afternoon at Fowler Park.

The Cats trailed the Salukis by three runs, 5-2, coming out of the third inning before mounting their comeback. Arizona scored once in the fourth and posted three runs in the bottom of the fifth to take the lead for good. The winning run was scored by second baseman Jacob Blas, who sprinted home on a perfectly-executed delayed steal.

Arizona's bullpen took over from there and slammed the door shut on Southern Illinois. Senior Vince Vannelle and junior Gil Luna combined to hold the Salukis without a hit while striking out eight batters over the final four frames. Luna earned his first career save for his efforts. 

Wildcat starting pitcher Garrett Irvin (2-0) earned his second win in as many tries after going 5.0 innings and striking out six. 

Arizona WildBATS

• C Austin Wells: 3-for-4, 2 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI
• LF Mac Bingham: 3-for-3, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 BB
  • First career home run
• RF Ryan Holgate: 2-for-4, 1 R
• 2B Jacob Blas: 1-for-4, 1 R, 2B, 1 RBI

Bullpen Bullies

• RHP Vince Vannelle: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 4 K
• LHP Gil Luna: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 4 K, SAVE
  • First career save

Number of the Day

• The Arizona pitching staff has notched double-digit strikeouts in all five of their games this year, a feat the 2019 Wildcats only accomplished 14 times in 56 games. 

Photo of the Day

Tweet of the Day

"You wouldn't like me when I'm angry." -The Hulk and also @wellsius16, probably ??#MLBTrainingGround | #BearDown pic.twitter.com/cfJ8wgVWaw

— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) February 21, 2020

Up Next

Arizona's second game of the Tony Gwynn Legacy tournament is against Iowa on Saturday, Feb. 22 with a first pitch scheduled for 2:00 p.m. MST.
 

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Tickets

All season ticket options, single-game tickets, and group options for the Wildcats 2020 baseball season are available now and can be purchased by visiting ArizonaWildcats.com/BSB or by calling 520-621-CATS.