Wildcats Win in Head Coach Chip Hale's Debut

Friday, February 18

Arlington, Texas

2:00 PM

University of Arizona

1-0

Kansas State

0-1

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Arizona	0	1	2	0	0	1	2	2	0	8	9	1
Kansas State	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	5	0	6	11	2

Box Score

02/18/2022 | Baseball

Box Score Box Score Photo Gallery

By: Arizona Athletics

ARLINGTON, Texas — The Arizona Wildcats (1-0) raced out to a seven-run lead and held on to secure an 8-6 win over Kansas State (0-1) in the debut game for head coach Chip Hale.

Right-hander TJ Nichols earned the Opening Day start for the Wildcats and delivered a sparkling performance. The flame-throwing righty worked 4.0 innings, allowed just one run on five hits, and struck out seven. He did not factor into the decision.

Sophomore first baseman Noah Turley, a transfer from Yavapai College, scored the Wildcats first run of the season with a mammoth home run to dead center at Globe Life Field.

Arizona continued their offensive onslaught to the tune of an 8-1 lead midway through the eighth inning. Kansas State scored five runs in the bottom of the eighth to tighten the game, but southpaw Holden Christian worked out of a jam and closed the door in the ninth to earn his first save in an Arizona uniform.

Arizona WildBATS

C Daniel Susac: 2-for-5, 2B, 3 RBI
1B Noah Turley: 1-for-3, 2 R, HR, RBI, BB
RF Tanner O'Tremba: 1-for-4, R, HR, RBI
SS Nik McClaughry: 1-for-3, 2 R, 3B, RBI, BB
CF Mac Bingham: 1-for-4, R, 2B, RBI, BB

Bullpen Bullies

RHP George Arias Jr.: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, Win (1-0)
LHP Holden Christian: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 K, Save (1)
RHP Anthony Susac: 2.1 IP, 5 K

Number of the Night

With Friday's win over K-State, the Wildcats extended their streak of Opening Day wins to 14. Arizona has not lost their first game of the year since 2008.

Photo of the Night

ARLINGTON, TEXAS -- Baseball vs. Kansas State in the State Farm College Showdown at Gloge Life FieldFeb. 18, 2022. Photo by Mike Christy / Arizona Athletics

Tweets of the Night

Game ball goes to @UACoachHale!

"It was an honor to put the Block A on, be their head coach, and watch them play their tails off." #BearDown pic.twitter.com/r8CiadgHBU
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) February 19, 2022

No doubt about this one ?? #BearDown

?? @FloBaseball
?? https://t.co/kQiV041obe pic.twitter.com/ImE3FcvlRE
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) February 18, 2022

There's crushed, and then there's this ??

?? @FloBaseball
?? https://t.co/kQiV041obe pic.twitter.com/nKVZHDhhGy
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) February 18, 2022

A new era for Arizona Baseball has dawned... #BearDown pic.twitter.com/IY5apvmSjE
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) February 18, 2022

Up Next

Arizona squares off against Oklahoma for their second test at the State Farm College Baseball Showdown. First pitch is set for 6:00 p.m. MST with a live broadcast slated for FloBaseball.