TUCSON, Ariz. — A spectacular throw from center fielder
Mac Bingham and a career performance from starting pitcher
TJ Nichols pushed the Arizona Wildcats (14-4, 3-1) to a come-from-behind 3-2 victory over the Stanford Cardinal (9-6, 1-3) on Saturday night at Hi Corbett Field.
The Wildcats found themselves down 2-0 heading into the bottom of the seventh after an impressive pitcher's duel between Nichols and Stanford's Alex Williams. Arizona got on the board with a two-out rally in the seventh; Bingham singled up the middle, stole second base, and came across on a Cardinal miscue to break the seal.
Nichols was electric for the Wildcats, going a career-high 8.0 innings and allowing just two runs on eight hits while striking out eight. He issued no walks and earned the win, moving to 3-0 on the year.
Arizona again rallied in the eighth, plating two runs to take the lead. Right fielder
Tanner O'Tremba singled in the tying run with one out and moved the go-ahead run to second base. Two batters later, first baseman
Tommy Splaine rolled an infield single to third and Susac came sprinting around third to score as a Cardinal defender committed a throwing error.
Stanford moved two runners into scoring position with no outs in the ninth before Bingham's incredible play ended the game. A ground out to shortstop got Arizona the first out, setting up Bingham's heroics. The Cardinal's Austin Kretzschmar lifted what appeared to be a game-tying sacrifice fly into center field, however a sprinting Bingham was there to make the catch and execute a picture perfect relay throw to home. Catcher
Daniel Susac nabbed the throw and perfectly placed the tag to seal the Wildcats victory.
Arizona WildBATS
Bullpen Bullies
Number of the Night
- Arizona committed zero errors for the eighth time this season.
Tweets of the Night
Up Next
No. 16 Arizona goes for the series win over No. 12 Stanford on Sunday afternoon. First pitch for game two is set for 12:00 p.m. MST at Hi Corbett Field. Tickets are still available and can be purchased
HERE.
