SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — First baseman
Kiko Romero played hero for the Arizona Wildcats (32-23) on Wednesday morning, lining a walk-off single up the middle to defeat the Oregon State Beavers (39-17) on a final score of 13-12.
Romero's game-winning knock secured the Wildcats a spot in the Pac-12 Tournament semifinals on Friday; Arizona's first pitch time and opponent in the semifinals are still to be determined.
The ninth inning winner capped an electrifying back-and-forth affair in which the Wildcats erased an early 4-0 lead and scored in all but seven innings. Romero and left fielder
Chase Davis both homered in the comeback effort and combined to drive in seven runs.Â
The Wildcats used six pitchers to defeat the Beavers, but none gathered more important outs that right-hander
Chris Barraza. the Tucson native earned the final two outs of the eighth and returned to the mound for the ninth. A leadoff double, a wild pitch, and a walk put runners on the corners with no outs before Barraza wiggled out of the jam with a lineout and back-to-back strikeouts.
Starting pitcher
Cam Walty worked three innings and struck out three but did not factor into the decision.
Arizona WildBATS
- 1B Kiko Romero: 3-for-5, 2 R, HR, 4 RBI, BB
- 3B Tony Bullard: 3-for-4, 2 R, 2B, HR, 3 RBI
- LF Chase Davis: 2-for-6, 2 R, HR, 3 RBI
- SS Nik McClaughry: 4-for-5, 3 R, 2B, RBI
- CF Mac Bingham: 3-for-5, 2 R, 2 2B, BB
- RF Emilio Corona: 3-for-5, R, 2B
Bullpen Bullies
Number of the Day
- With four RBI on Wednesday morning, Kiko Romero moved into a tie for second on the Arizona single-season leaderboard with 84.
- Arizona swatted three home runs on Wednesday, giving them 89Â on the year, the second most in program history.
Photo of the Night
Social Media Coverage
Next Up
Arizona has advanced to the Pac-12 Tournament semifinals on Friday, May 27. They await the outcome of games on Wednesday and Thursday to determine their opponent and first pitch time. Tickets for the tournament can be purchased
HERE.
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