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
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
Tweets of the Night
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.
