LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Despite battling back to tie the game in the top of the eighth inning, the Arizona Wildcats (12-5) ultimately dropped their series opener against the UCLA Bruins (11-5) on Friday night at Jackie Robinson Stadium.

Arizona starting pitcher Chase Silseth tossed a gem, working 6.2 innings and allowing just two runs on five hits while striking out nine. He threw 108 pitches and did not factor into the decision.

The Wildcats offense was uncharacteristically quite for the first seven innings, recording just four hits and one walk. They found a spark down two runs in the eighth — with two outs center fielder Donta Williams doubled off the wall in left to set up a game-tying two-run home run from shortstop Jacob Blas.

Arizona WildBATS

• SS Jacob Blas: 1-for-4, R, HR, 2 RBI
• DH Jacob Berry: 2-for-4
• CF Donta Williams: 1-for-3, R, 2B

Bullpen Bullies

• LHP Riley Cooper: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 1 K

Number of the Night

• Shortstop Jacob Blas hit his second home run of the year - in 17 games this year he has doubled his career home run total.

Tweet of the Night

WHAT A CATCH @dtwill23? ?? #BearDown

?? https://t.co/RJKxWHeiO1 pic.twitter.com/l5jYRAiC5H

— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) March 20, 2021

Up Next

Arizona and UCLA square off for game two of their three-game set on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. MST.