PHOENIX, Ariz. — Freshman TJ Nichols delivered a quality start but the Arizona Wildcats (18-8, 5-4) dropped their series finale to the Arizona State Sun Devils (17-7, 5-4) with a 3-2 final score on Saturday night.

Nichols fanned a career-high eight ASU batters over his 6.0 innings of work and allowed just three runs on three hits. Despite delivering his second quality start of the year, he took the loss to move to 3-2.

Arizona out-hit the Sun Devils 11-5 but could not capitalize with runners in scoring position, leaving 10 men on base. Pac-12 RBI leader Jacob Berry picked up a pair of hits and drove in one run, giving him 33 RBI on the year.

The Wildcats bullpen was again dominant, keeping ASU off the scoreboard over the two  innings to keep the Arizona offense in the game. Three relievers combined to allow just two hits following Nichols' departure.

Arizona WildBATS

• DH Jacob Berry: 2-for-5, RBI
• RF Ryan Holgate: 2-for-4, 2B
• 3B Nik McClaughry: 2-for-4, R, 2B
• SS Jacob Blas: 2-for-4

Bullpen Bullies

• RHP Quinn Flanagan: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 K
• RHP Dawson Netz: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R

Numbers of the Night

• Over three games in Phoenix this weekend, the Arizona bullpen combined to throw 12 innings and allowed just one earned run.

Tweet of the Night

Outstanding effort from @tj_nichols25 tonight? Just 3 runs on 3 hits with a career-high 8? strikeouts. Kept the Cats in this one ?? #BearDown pic.twitter.com/keuo3QNpqT

— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) April 4, 2021

Up Next

The Wildcats and Sun Devils will face off one more time for a nonconference matchup at Hi Corbett Field in Tucson this Tuesday, March 6. First pitch is slated for 6:00 p.m. MST.