TUCSON, Ariz. — Shutdown bullpen work gave the Arizona Wildcats (39-14) a 4-2 series opening victory over the visiting Dixie State Trailblazers (23-31) on Thursday night.
Southpaw relievers
Randy Abshier (4-0) and
Gil Luna covered 4.0 innings for the Wildcats and combined to allow just three baserunners while striking out five. Abshier tossed 2.2 frames of one-hit relief to earn his fourth win of the year, while Luna fanned three in 1.1 innings to earn his first save of the season.
The offense did just enough to support the Wildcats strong showing on the mound, picking up four runs on five hits and six walks. Arizona took the lead in the bottom of the sixth, snagged an insurance run in the eighth, and closed down their 13th straight home victory.
Starting pitcher
Chandler Murphy, making his first start since April 13 at Grand Canyon, worked 5.0 innings and allowed just two unearned runs on three hits with a trio of strikeouts. He did not factor into the decision.
With an infield single in the sixth inning, center fielder
Donta Williams extended his career-best on-base streak to 39 games.Â
Arizona is still waiting for one California victory over Oregon this weekend to claim an outright Pac-12 Championship. The two play again tomorrow at 6:00 p.m. MST.
Arizona WildBATS
Bullpen Bullies
Number of the Day
- With 1.1 innings of scoreless work on Thursday, left-handed pitcher Gil Luna has now strung together 10 consecutive scoreless appearances.
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Up Next
The Wildcats play for a series victory over the Trailblazers on Friday night at 6:00 p.m. MST.
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