CORAL GABLES, Fla. — The Arizona Wildcats (38-24) earned their first NCAA Tournament win of the head coach
Chip Hale era on Sunday morning, taking an elimination game against the Canisius Golden Griffins (29-25) on a final score of 7-5.
The Wildcats will now await the results of this afternoon's Ole Miss/Miami game and play the loser in an elimination game tonight at approximately 4:00 p.m. MST.
Blake Paugh (2),
Nik McClaughry, and
Chase Davis combined to hit four home runs and drive in all seven of the Wildcats runs in the victory. Davis' two-run jack in the first inning was his 18th of the year, tied for sixth most in a single season in program history.
TJ Nichols earned the win with five solid innings of work on the mound — he allowed three runs on five hits while striking out four.Â
The bullpen was stellar behind Nichols, with right-handers
George Arias Jr. and
Quinn Flanagan combining for 3.1 scoreless, one-hit innings while striking out four. Flanagan earned his first save of the year after recording the final four outs for Arizona.
Arizona WildBATS
- DH Blake Paugh: 2-for-4, 3 R, 2 HR, 2 RBI, BB
- SS Nik McClaughry: 1-for-4, 2 R, HR, 3 RBI, BB
- LF Chase Davis: 1-for-4, R, HR, 2 RBI, BB
- CF Mac Bingham: 3-for-4, R, 2B
- RF Tanner O'Tremba: 2-for-5, 2B
Bullpen Bullies
Number of the Day
- The Wildcats hit four home runs in a game for the third time this season, and now have 69 dingers this year.
Photo of the Day
Social Media Coverage
Up Next
The Wildcats will play another elimination game this evening at 4:00 p.m. MST against the loser of this afternoon's Ole Miss/Miami game. Tonight's game will again be broadcast on ESPN+.
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