Thursday, February 24
Tucson, Ariz.
6:00 PM
University of Arizona
vs
Milwaukee
Photo by: Mike Christy / Arizona Athletics
Wildcats Host Milwaukee for Four-Game Set
02/23/2022 | Baseball
TUCSON, Ariz. — The Arizona Wildcats (3-1) host the Milwaukee Panthers (3-0) for their first weekend home series of the season this Thursday–Sunday at Hi Corbett Field. First pitch for games one and two is set for 6:00 p.m. MST, game three at 2:00 p.m. MST, and the series finale for 10:00 a.m. MST.
The Wildcats opened the season with a 3-0 run through the College Baseball Showdown at Globe Life Field before returning to Tucson for their current extended homestand. Preseason All-Americans Daniel Susac and Holden Christian, along with the reigning Pac-12 Player and Pitcher of the week, Tanner O'Tremba and Dawson Netz, lead the Wildcats efforts.
Arizona's home field advantage is strong at Hi Corbett thanks to the best fan base on the West Coast. Tickets to all four games are still available for purchase and can be secured by clicking HERE.
All four games this weekend will be live streamed for free on ArizonaWildcats.com.
For more, a complete weekend preview is below.
SOME SERIES THEMES: The Arizona Wildcats continue their extended homestand with a four-game series against Milwaukee this weekend at Hi Corbett Field...After sweeping their opening weekend slate at the State Farm College Baseball Showdown the Wildcats dropped a midweek tilt against Grand Canyon on Tuesday...Arizona and Milwaukee have squared off once before, with the Wildcats taking a three-game series over the Panthers, 2-1, in early 2019...Arizona took the opener 14-6, dropped the middle game 4-10, and won the finale 12-11 on a walk-off hit from third baseman Nick Quintana...Outfielder Tanner O'Tremba and right-handed pitcher Dawson Netz swept the first edition of Pac-12 weekly honors on Monday, picking up both Pac-12 Player and Pitcher of the Week awards...The Wildcats remain ranked in every national poll, led by a No. 8 ranking from the NCBWA...Arizona currently ranks among the top three programs in the conference in doubles (1st, 14), runs (2nd, 38), hits (2nd, 45), triples (2nd, 3), RBI (2nd, 35), home runs (3rd, 4), walks (T-3rd, 20), and batting average (3rd, .300)...Outfielder Tanner O'Tremba leads the Pac-12 with 18 total bases.
STREAKONOMICS: Outfielder Tanner O'Tremba and shortstop Nik McClaughry have both hit safely in all four of the Wildcats games this season. Dating back to last season, McClaughry has hit safely in six straight games and reached base safely in seven consecutive contests. Catcher Daniel Susac also rides a seven-game on-base streak dating back to the 2021 campaign.
RUNNING WILD: Arizona has scored at least one run in 176 straight games — they have not suffered a shutout loss since falling 1-0 at Washington on March 17, 2018. The Wildcats 176-game scoring streak is the longest active streak in the Pac-12 and 31 more games than the next closest team, UCLA (145 games). It is also the longest active streak among all Power Five programs, and the third-longest streak in program history. Over the course of their 176-game scoring stretch, Arizona has been held to three runs or fewer just 28 times. On the flip side, during the streak they have scored five or more runs 97 times. Arizona and UCLA are the only two programs in the Pac-12 Conference with scoring streaks longer than 100 games.
O'TREMBA, NETZ SWEEP PAC-12 WEEKLY HONORS: Outfielder Tanner O'Tremba and right-handed pitcher Dawson Netz led an Arizona Baseball sweep of the first Pac-12 weekly honors of the season, the conference announced on Monday. O'Tremba was tabbed as the Pac-12 Player of the Week, while Netz was honored as the Pac-12 Pitcher of the Week. This marks the first weekly honors of both players careers. This the ninth time in program history that the Wildcats have swept Pac-10/12 Player and Pitcher of the Week awards and the first time since Kurt Heyer (Pitcher) and Johnny Field (Player) completed the sweep on May 28, 2012. O'Tremba slugged his way through three games at the State Farm College Baseball Showdown last weekend to the tune of a .500 (7-for-14) batting average with seven runs scored, two doubles, one triple, two home runs, and seven RBI. He led all players in the six-team field in hits, runs, RBI, total bases (17), and slugging percentage (1.214) and tied for first in home runs. Netz earned the start for Arizona on Sunday against Texas Tech and delivered the best performance of his career to date. The sophomore worked 5.0 innings and struck out six batters, both career-high marks. He held the No. 14 Red Raiders scoreless on just three hits, earning the first win of his collegiate career.
POLL POSITION: The Wildcats remain ranked in the Top 25 by every major national outlet, led by a No. 8 ranking from the National Collegiate Baseball Writer Association. Arizona is also ranked No. 10 by Collegiate Baseball, No. 11 from D1Baseball, and No. 14 from Baseball America. Three of the four rankings represent rises from the Wildcats preseason positions in the polls. Arizona opened the season ranked in every poll, marking the sixth consecutive year they earned a preseason ranking from Collegiate Baseball and the ninth time they were selected to the USA Today Coaches Poll (since 2004). The only other Pac-12 programs currently ranked in the D1Baseball poll are No. 6 Stanford and No. 14 Oregon State.
CATS COACHES: The Wildcats are led into the 2022 season by first-year head coach Chip Hale — he was hired by Arizona Vice President and Director of Athletics Dave Heeke on July 5, 2021. Hale, the Wildcats all-time leader in games played, hits, and total bases during his time in Tucson from 1984-87, brings nearly two decades of professional coaching experience to Arizona. During his collegiate career Hale helped steer the 1986 Arizona Wildcats to their third NCAA National Championship. His professional coaching career was highlighted by a stint as the manager for the Arizona Diamondbacks (2015-16) and a World Series championship with the Washington Nationals in 2019. Hale is assisted by associate head coach Dave Lawn, in his seventh season with the Wildcats, and first-year assistant coaches Trip Couch and Toby DeMello. Lawn has made four College World Series appearances with three different Pac-12 programs, sent 23 players to the Major Leagues, and won five conference championships. Couch, one of the nation's top recruiting coordinators, joins the Wildcats in the same role after splitting the last 11 years between Houston and South Carolina. Across his decades of collegiate coaching experience, Couch has made 11 NCAA postseason appearances, developed 12 All-Americans, and directly coached 37 MLB Draft selections. DeMello, the Wildcats volunteer assistant, will work with Arizona's hitters and catchers after serving in a similar role at Sacramento State, where he helped guide the Hornets to an NCAA Regional appearance in 2019. Arizona's staff is rounded out by director of baseball operations Will Gaines, director of player development Tyler Coolbaugh, and undergraduate assistant Brian Anderson.
SUSAC NAMED TO GOLDEN SPIKES WATCH LIST: Sophomore catcher Daniel Susac added to his long list of preseason honors on Tuesday, earning a selection by USA Baseball to the Golden Spikes Award Preseason Watch List. The 55-player watch list is the first step in USA Baseball's process of identifying the nation's greatest amateur baseball player. The Golden Spikes Award has been presented annually since 1978. Susac, a unanimous First Team Preseason All-American, is the 10th Arizona player to be honored with inclusion on the Preseason Watch List since 2008 and the first since Austin Wells graced the list prior to the 2020 season. He is no stranger to USA Baseball, having competed with the Collegiate National Team last summer. Susac earned time in nine games with seven starts and picked up a pair of hits in their season finale against the USA Baseball Olympic Team. Previous winners of the Golden Spikes Award include the likes of Kris Bryant (2013), Bryce Harper (2010), Stephen Strasburg (2009), Buster Posey (2008), Tim Lincecum (2006), Terry Francona (1980), and many more.
HOME SWEET HOME: Since Arizona Baseball moved to Hi Corbett Field for the 2012 season, the Wildcats have enjoyed a tremendous home field advantage. Over those 10+ seasons, Arizona has posted a record of 229-96, winning games at a .705 clip. Their home winning percentage over that stretch is the second best mark in the conference.
The Wildcats opened the season with a 3-0 run through the College Baseball Showdown at Globe Life Field before returning to Tucson for their current extended homestand. Preseason All-Americans Daniel Susac and Holden Christian, along with the reigning Pac-12 Player and Pitcher of the week, Tanner O'Tremba and Dawson Netz, lead the Wildcats efforts.
Arizona's home field advantage is strong at Hi Corbett thanks to the best fan base on the West Coast. Tickets to all four games are still available for purchase and can be secured by clicking HERE.
All four games this weekend will be live streamed for free on ArizonaWildcats.com.
For more, a complete weekend preview is below.
| Date | Opponent | Time (MST) / Result | Arizona Pitcher | Opponent Pitcher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, Feb. 24 | Milwaukee | 6:00 PM | RHP Anthony Susac (0-0, 15.43) | LHP Riley Frey (1-0, 1.80) |
| Friday, Feb. 25 | Milwaukee | 6:00 PM | RHP TJ Nichols (0-0, 2.25) | LHP Jack Mahoney (0-0, 5.79) |
| Saturday, Feb. 26 | Milwaukee | 2:00 PM | LHP Garrett Irvin (0-0, 4.50) | TBA |
| Sunday, Feb. 27 | Milwaukee | 10:00 AM | RHP Dawson Netz (1-0, 0.00) | TBA |
Leading Off...
- Arizona continues their extended homestand with a four-game series against Milwaukee at Hi Corbett Field this weekend.
- The Wildcats and Panthers have met once before in a three-game series early in the 2019 season. Arizona won that series, 2-1, taking the opener 14-6, dropping game two 4-10, and winning the finale 12-11 on a walk-off hit from Nick Quintana.
- Arizona has scored at least one run in 176 consecutive games, the longest active scoring streak in the Power 5 and the third-longest in program history. They are one game away from tying the second-longest streak in school history.
- The Wildcats are ranked in every national poll, with their highest ranking being a No. 8 placement from the NCBWA. Arizona moved up to No. 11 in the D1Baseball poll this week.
- Outfielder Tanner O'Tremba and right-handed pitcher Dawson Netz swept last week's Pac-12 weekly awards, taking home conference Player and Pitcher of the Week honors.
- Half of Arizona's 40 hits on opening weekend went for extra bases. The Wildcats smacked 13 doubles, three triples, and four home runs at Globe Life Field, the home of Major League Baseball's Texas Rangers.
- Since moving to Hi Corbett Field in 2012, Arizona has posted a home record of 229-96 (.705). They have lost 10 or fewer games in 8-of-10 seasons at Hi Corbett.
- Arizona's opening weekend starting pitchers combined to allow just three earned runs.
SOME SERIES THEMES: The Arizona Wildcats continue their extended homestand with a four-game series against Milwaukee this weekend at Hi Corbett Field...After sweeping their opening weekend slate at the State Farm College Baseball Showdown the Wildcats dropped a midweek tilt against Grand Canyon on Tuesday...Arizona and Milwaukee have squared off once before, with the Wildcats taking a three-game series over the Panthers, 2-1, in early 2019...Arizona took the opener 14-6, dropped the middle game 4-10, and won the finale 12-11 on a walk-off hit from third baseman Nick Quintana...Outfielder Tanner O'Tremba and right-handed pitcher Dawson Netz swept the first edition of Pac-12 weekly honors on Monday, picking up both Pac-12 Player and Pitcher of the Week awards...The Wildcats remain ranked in every national poll, led by a No. 8 ranking from the NCBWA...Arizona currently ranks among the top three programs in the conference in doubles (1st, 14), runs (2nd, 38), hits (2nd, 45), triples (2nd, 3), RBI (2nd, 35), home runs (3rd, 4), walks (T-3rd, 20), and batting average (3rd, .300)...Outfielder Tanner O'Tremba leads the Pac-12 with 18 total bases.
STREAKONOMICS: Outfielder Tanner O'Tremba and shortstop Nik McClaughry have both hit safely in all four of the Wildcats games this season. Dating back to last season, McClaughry has hit safely in six straight games and reached base safely in seven consecutive contests. Catcher Daniel Susac also rides a seven-game on-base streak dating back to the 2021 campaign.
RUNNING WILD: Arizona has scored at least one run in 176 straight games — they have not suffered a shutout loss since falling 1-0 at Washington on March 17, 2018. The Wildcats 176-game scoring streak is the longest active streak in the Pac-12 and 31 more games than the next closest team, UCLA (145 games). It is also the longest active streak among all Power Five programs, and the third-longest streak in program history. Over the course of their 176-game scoring stretch, Arizona has been held to three runs or fewer just 28 times. On the flip side, during the streak they have scored five or more runs 97 times. Arizona and UCLA are the only two programs in the Pac-12 Conference with scoring streaks longer than 100 games.
O'TREMBA, NETZ SWEEP PAC-12 WEEKLY HONORS: Outfielder Tanner O'Tremba and right-handed pitcher Dawson Netz led an Arizona Baseball sweep of the first Pac-12 weekly honors of the season, the conference announced on Monday. O'Tremba was tabbed as the Pac-12 Player of the Week, while Netz was honored as the Pac-12 Pitcher of the Week. This marks the first weekly honors of both players careers. This the ninth time in program history that the Wildcats have swept Pac-10/12 Player and Pitcher of the Week awards and the first time since Kurt Heyer (Pitcher) and Johnny Field (Player) completed the sweep on May 28, 2012. O'Tremba slugged his way through three games at the State Farm College Baseball Showdown last weekend to the tune of a .500 (7-for-14) batting average with seven runs scored, two doubles, one triple, two home runs, and seven RBI. He led all players in the six-team field in hits, runs, RBI, total bases (17), and slugging percentage (1.214) and tied for first in home runs. Netz earned the start for Arizona on Sunday against Texas Tech and delivered the best performance of his career to date. The sophomore worked 5.0 innings and struck out six batters, both career-high marks. He held the No. 14 Red Raiders scoreless on just three hits, earning the first win of his collegiate career.
POLL POSITION: The Wildcats remain ranked in the Top 25 by every major national outlet, led by a No. 8 ranking from the National Collegiate Baseball Writer Association. Arizona is also ranked No. 10 by Collegiate Baseball, No. 11 from D1Baseball, and No. 14 from Baseball America. Three of the four rankings represent rises from the Wildcats preseason positions in the polls. Arizona opened the season ranked in every poll, marking the sixth consecutive year they earned a preseason ranking from Collegiate Baseball and the ninth time they were selected to the USA Today Coaches Poll (since 2004). The only other Pac-12 programs currently ranked in the D1Baseball poll are No. 6 Stanford and No. 14 Oregon State.
CATS COACHES: The Wildcats are led into the 2022 season by first-year head coach Chip Hale — he was hired by Arizona Vice President and Director of Athletics Dave Heeke on July 5, 2021. Hale, the Wildcats all-time leader in games played, hits, and total bases during his time in Tucson from 1984-87, brings nearly two decades of professional coaching experience to Arizona. During his collegiate career Hale helped steer the 1986 Arizona Wildcats to their third NCAA National Championship. His professional coaching career was highlighted by a stint as the manager for the Arizona Diamondbacks (2015-16) and a World Series championship with the Washington Nationals in 2019. Hale is assisted by associate head coach Dave Lawn, in his seventh season with the Wildcats, and first-year assistant coaches Trip Couch and Toby DeMello. Lawn has made four College World Series appearances with three different Pac-12 programs, sent 23 players to the Major Leagues, and won five conference championships. Couch, one of the nation's top recruiting coordinators, joins the Wildcats in the same role after splitting the last 11 years between Houston and South Carolina. Across his decades of collegiate coaching experience, Couch has made 11 NCAA postseason appearances, developed 12 All-Americans, and directly coached 37 MLB Draft selections. DeMello, the Wildcats volunteer assistant, will work with Arizona's hitters and catchers after serving in a similar role at Sacramento State, where he helped guide the Hornets to an NCAA Regional appearance in 2019. Arizona's staff is rounded out by director of baseball operations Will Gaines, director of player development Tyler Coolbaugh, and undergraduate assistant Brian Anderson.
SUSAC NAMED TO GOLDEN SPIKES WATCH LIST: Sophomore catcher Daniel Susac added to his long list of preseason honors on Tuesday, earning a selection by USA Baseball to the Golden Spikes Award Preseason Watch List. The 55-player watch list is the first step in USA Baseball's process of identifying the nation's greatest amateur baseball player. The Golden Spikes Award has been presented annually since 1978. Susac, a unanimous First Team Preseason All-American, is the 10th Arizona player to be honored with inclusion on the Preseason Watch List since 2008 and the first since Austin Wells graced the list prior to the 2020 season. He is no stranger to USA Baseball, having competed with the Collegiate National Team last summer. Susac earned time in nine games with seven starts and picked up a pair of hits in their season finale against the USA Baseball Olympic Team. Previous winners of the Golden Spikes Award include the likes of Kris Bryant (2013), Bryce Harper (2010), Stephen Strasburg (2009), Buster Posey (2008), Tim Lincecum (2006), Terry Francona (1980), and many more.
HOME SWEET HOME: Since Arizona Baseball moved to Hi Corbett Field for the 2012 season, the Wildcats have enjoyed a tremendous home field advantage. Over those 10+ seasons, Arizona has posted a record of 229-96, winning games at a .705 clip. Their home winning percentage over that stretch is the second best mark in the conference.
Players Mentioned
LHP
/ Baseball
LHP
/ Baseball
INF
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
OF
/ Baseball
INF
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
C
/ BaseballFriday, August 14
Wednesday, May 06
Wednesday, April 29
Thursday, April 23
