Wildcats Drop Opener to Bruins, 5-1

Friday, March 17

Los Angeles, Calif.

6:00 PM

University of Arizona

12-4, 3-1

UCLA

13-3, 3-1

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Arizona	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	7	1
UCLA	4	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	X	5	7	1

Box Score (PDF)

Photo by: Marison Bilagody / Arizona Athletics

03/17/2023 | Baseball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Photo Gallery

By: Arizona Athletics

LOS ANGELES — The Arizona Wildcats (12-4, 3-1) dropped their first game in nearly three weeks on Friday night, falling 5-1 to the UCLA Bruins (13-3, 3-1) at Jackie Robinson Stadium.

Arizona center fielder Mac Bingham led off the game with a solo home run to left center field, his sixth of the season. His leadoff homer accounted for all of the Wildcats offense in the series opener.

Starting pitcher TJ Nichols (3-1) worked 4.2 innings and struck out six, however his five runs allowed tagged him with his first loss of the year.

Left-handed pitcher Jackson Kent contributed three scoreless innings of spectacular relief to keep Arizona within striking distance. The southpaw allowed just one hit and struck out four.

Arizona WildBATS

CF Mac Bingham: 2-for-4, R, HR, RBI, BB
RF Tyler Casagrande: 2-for-3, HBP
C Tommy Splaine: 1-for-3, BB
DH Cameron LaLiberte: 0-for-1, 3 BB

Bullpen Bullies

LHP Jackson Kent: 3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
RHP Tony Pluta: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R

Number of the Night

Arizona batters drew five walks on Friday night, tying the most drawn by a UCLA opponent this season.

Photo of the Night

LOS ANGELES, CALIF. -- Baseball Pregame at Jackie Robinson StadiumMarch 17, 2023. Photo by Marison Bilagody / Arizona Athletics

Social Media Coverage

Probably not a great idea to test @chasedavis916's arm ?? #BearDown

?? https://t.co/Cvf55OndUP pic.twitter.com/uBI4wSGN96
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) March 18, 2023

Quite literally the best start you can ask for ?? #BearDown

?? https://t.co/Cvf55OndUP pic.twitter.com/OQzDDaWmGU
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) March 18, 2023