No. 21 Wildcats Beat Cardinal, 12-8, in Series Opener

Friday, May 3

Tucson, Ariz.

6:00 PM

University of Arizona

27-17, 0

Stanford

20-22, 0

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Stanford	0	1	1	0	3	3	0	0	0	8	13	2
Arizona	1	2	2	0	4	2	0	1	X	12	14	1

Photo by: Catherine Regan / Arizona Athletics

No. 21 Wildcats Beat Cardinal, 12-8, in Series Opener

05/03/2024 | Baseball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Photo Gallery

By: Arizona Athletics

TUCSON, Ariz. — The No. 21 Arizona Wildcats (27-17, 15-7) secured a 12-8 series-opening victory over the Stanford Cardinal (20-23, 11-11) on Friday night at Hi Corbett Field.

Every member of the Wildcats starting lineup notched a hit in the opener, while seven of the team's 14 hits went for extra bases. Second baseman Garen Caulfield and third baseman Maddox Mihalakis led the charge offensively, with both players swatting a pair of doubles and combining to drive in four runs.

Starting pitcher Jackson Kent did not factor into the decision after going 4.2 innings and striking out eight. Right-handed reliever Kyler Heyne, the first out of the Wildcats bullpen, earned the win to improve to 3-0 on the year.

Four more right-handers represented the Arizona 'pen and combined to throw 3.1 shutout innings while allowing just three hits.

Arizona's win on Friday secured them, at worst, a .500 record in Pac-12 Conference play this season.

Arizona WildBATS

2B Garen Caulfield: 2-for-4, 3 R, 2 2B, 2 RBI, BB
3B Maddox Mihalakis: 2-for-4, R, 2 2B, 2 RBI, BB
C Blake McDonald: 2-for-3, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB
RF Emilio Corona: 2-for-4, 3 R, RBI, BB
DH Andrew Cain: 1-for-4, R, 2B, 2 RBI
LF TJ Adams: 2-for-3, 3B, RBI, BB

Bullpen Bullies

RHP Dawson Netz: 0.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R
RHP Tony Pluta: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R
RHP Matthew Martinez: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 H, 2 K
RHP Anthony Susac: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 K

Number of the Night

With Friday's win, combined with a loss by Washington State, the Wildcats magic number to clinch a spot in the Pac-12 Tournament is now one. The next Arizona win or WSU loss will secure the team's spot in Scottsdale.

Photo of the Night

Social Media Coverage

What a perfect squeeze by @BlakeMcDonald10! Big time insurance run in the 8th ?? pic.twitter.com/zla5OvOfhA
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) May 4, 2024

Bases juiced and @BlakeMcDonald10 comes up with the clutch knock! ?? pic.twitter.com/CozLj7ZfO4
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) May 4, 2024

Runners movin' and @splaine_tommy cashes in! ??????? pic.twitter.com/rRRljuJ7t5
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) May 4, 2024

Mad Dog @MaddoxMihalakis finds a barrel and picks up his second RBI two-bagger of the night ?? pic.twitter.com/Tz8NJjik6X
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) May 4, 2024

It can happen that fast ?? White reaches on an error and @gcaulfield_3 drives one to the gap to retake the lead! ?? pic.twitter.com/IzWmzs7mRk
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) May 4, 2024

Our 5th XBH of the game goes to @MaddoxMihalakis on an RBI double! ?? pic.twitter.com/ryUmaEqnU5
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) May 4, 2024

Got a run back! Caulfield rips a one-out double and @emiliocorona0 promptly drives him in ?? pic.twitter.com/oOHefYy6em
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) May 4, 2024

Another ?? in the 2nd! @tjadams23 triples over the center fielder to drive in Cain! ?? pic.twitter.com/5kqJhaVI6Y
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) May 4, 2024

??????@AndrewCain_19 smokes one 108 off the bat and to the wall to score McDonald ?? pic.twitter.com/S61fTY0lzq
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) May 4, 2024