Arizona Drops Closely Contested Game to Alabama, 7-6

Saturday, March 2

Frisco, Texas

3:00 PM

University of Arizona

4-6

Alabama

11-0

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Alabama	0	0	0	0	3	1	1	2	0	7	10	0
Arizona	0	0	0	4	0	0	2	0	0	6	8	2

Photo by: Worrell Media

Arizona Drops Closely Contested Game to Alabama, 7-6

03/02/2024 | Baseball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

By: Arizona Athletics

FRISCO, Texas — The Arizona Wildcats (4-6) held multiple leads and mounted a ninth-inning rally but ultimately fell to the No. 16 Alabama Crimson Tide (11-0) on a final score of 7-6 at the Frisco Classic on Saturday.

Starting pitcher Clark Candiotti spun a gem for the Wildcats, going a season-high six innings and limiting the Crimson Tide to four runs while striking out six. He did not factor into the decision.

Arizona's bullpen was also stellar, holding Alabama without an earned run over the final three innings. Right-handers Tony Pluta and Matthew Martinez, along with southpaw Jaeden Swanberg, combined to allow just two hits and struck out a pair of batters.

Shortstop Mason White and catcher Blake McDonald both swatted two-run home runs in the fourth inning to give Arizona a 4-0 lead near the midpoint of the game. Alabama followed with three runs in the fifth and one each in the sixth and seventh to take the lead. Arizona put themselves back in front on an RBI single from White in the bottom of the seventh, before Alabama answered with the two decisive runs in the next half inning.

Arizona put runners on the corners with one out in the bottom of the ninth but had their rally turned away, creating the final margin of 7-6.

Arizona WildBATS

SS Mason White: 3-for-5, R, HR, 3 RBI
C Blake McDonald: 1-for-1, R, HR, 2 RBI, 2 BB
3B Richie Morales: 2-for-2, R, 2 2B

Bullpen Bullies

RHP Tony Pluta: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R
LHP Jaeden Swanbeg: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 K
RHP Matthew Martinez: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 K

Number of the Night

The Wildcats turned four double plays against Alabama, their most as a team since notching four twin killings against Stanford on March 19, 2022.

Photo of the Night

Social Media Coverage

After a lengthy review... the Wildcats take the lead! ??

?? @d1baseball
?? https://t.co/r3PspHMm2H pic.twitter.com/4uOedtlrUO
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) March 3, 2024

Another great outing from @clarkcandiotti today ??

Final line: 6.0 IP, 4 R, 6 K pic.twitter.com/l0GqIlDtHM
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) March 2, 2024

.@masonwhite24 going ??

?? @d1baseball
?? https://t.co/r3PspHMm2H pic.twitter.com/9eZSHh4qES
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) March 2, 2024

Our man @Mike_Rooney has been raving about @ArizonaBaseball SS Mason White, and watching the sophomore this weekend, I share his enthusiasm - guy can really defend & really hit. Crushed a 428-foot 2-run homer to CF, then Blake McDonald hit another 2-run shot on a Moza SL. 4-0 AZ. pic.twitter.com/sz8Mk3jNUg
— Aaron Fitt (@aaronfitt) March 2, 2024

DoorDashed one McDinger to the ballpark ?? pic.twitter.com/GfPRrLjObc
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) March 2, 2024

4?2?8? feet for his 5th of the year and a souvenir on the berm ?? pic.twitter.com/2Wq5GI5bKr
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) March 2, 2024

The Candi Man is dealing ?? back-to-back strikeouts to erase a leadoff double!

?? @d1baseball
?? https://t.co/r3PspHMm2H pic.twitter.com/v4xkkSKxhw
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) March 2, 2024

Wichita State transfer Clark Candiotti (son of Tom, but has not flashed a knuckleball yet) looks great over 3 scoreless for @ArizonaBaseball, attacking at 92-94 with a very good late-biting slider at 84-85. Wildcats defense has helped him out, turning 3 DPs in 3 innings. pic.twitter.com/f35jXiERjY
— Aaron Fitt (@aaronfitt) March 2, 2024

Make that 3? double plays in 3? innings for the Cats!

?? @d1baseball
?? https://t.co/r3PspHMm2H pic.twitter.com/DpO8e3Qmxf
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) March 2, 2024

Two innings, two twin killings ??

?? @d1baseball
?? https://t.co/r3PspHMm2H pic.twitter.com/h3xhRFGbvH
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) March 2, 2024

First two Alabama batters reach, @clarkcandiotti escapes with no damage on a double play and a strikeout ??

?? @d1baseball
?? https://t.co/r3PspHMm2H pic.twitter.com/cgMIAjt8wE
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) March 2, 2024

Next Up

Arizona wraps up their slate at the Frisco Classic with a Sunday morning matchup against No. 20 Indiana. First pitch is schedule for 11:00 a.m. MST. The game will be streamed via D1Baseball.com.