TUCSON, Ariz. — Nine unanswered runs from a relentless lineup and lockdown bullpen efforts netted the Arizona Wildcats (44-15) a 9-3 game one victory over the Ole Miss Rebels (44-21) in game one of the Tucson Super Regional on Friday night.

The Wildcats are now just one victory away from advancing to their 18th College World Series.

After allowing three runs in the top of the first inning, the Wildcats offense immediately went to work with a leadoff home run from Donta' Williams in the bottom of the frame. 

Tony Bullard chipped away at the deficit with another solo home run in the second and followed up with his second dinger of the night in the fourth to even the score at 3-3. With two long balls on Friday night, Bullard now has six home runs in his last six games.

A two-run blast from Jacob Berry, his team-leading 16th of the year, put Arizona in front in the bottom of the fifth and they never looked back. Ryan Holgate extended the lead with an RBI groundout in the sixth and Williams provided some much-needed insurance with a three-run double in the bottom of the eighth.

Starting pitcher Chase Silseth allowed three runs in the first inning but immediately settled in after that. He ultimately worked 4.2 innings and struck out six but did not factor into the decision.

Southpaw Riley Cooper, right-hander Dawson Netz, and bullpen ace Vince Vannelle covered the final frames and allowed just one baserunner while the offense completed their comeback. Cooper (3-0) earned the win, his third of the year.

Arizona WildBATS

• 3B Tony Bullard: 3-for-4, 2 HR, 1 3B, 2 RBI, 3 R
• CF Donta Williams: 3-for-5, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 2 R
• DH Jacob Berry: 1-for-4, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 R
• 1B Branden Boissiere: 2-for-4
• RF Ryan Holgate: 1-for-4, 2B, RBI

Bullpen Bullies

• Riley Cooper: 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, Win (3-0)
• Dawson Netz: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 K
• Vince Vannelle: 1.0 IP: 0 H, 0 R, 0 K

Number of the Night

• 3B Tony Bullard blasted two homers Friday night, the first time an Arizona Wildcat has had a multi-homerun game in an NCAA Championship game since Jordan Brown in the 2004 College World Series against Arkansas. 

Photo of the Night

Tweets of the Night

When he hits 'em, he ???????? 'em! 4?1?7? over the Championship banners ?? #BearDown pic.twitter.com/fvRyls8BNL

— Arizona Baseball ?? (@ArizonaBaseball) June 12, 2021

Ready for this one? 4??4??4?? feet ?? #BearDown pic.twitter.com/mavSNv6SIe

— Arizona Baseball ?? (@ArizonaBaseball) June 12, 2021

Up Next

Game two between the Wildcats and Rebels is set for Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. MST. Arizona, playing for an opportunity to advance to their 18th College World Series, and Ole Miss, fighting off elimination, will square off on ESPN2.