Wildcats Defeat Sun Devils, 8-5, in Series Opener

Friday, April 4

Phoenix, Ariz. / Phoenix Municipal Stadium

6:30 PM MST

University of Arizona

21-8, 7-3

Arizona State

20-10, 7-3

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Arizona	1	0	0	0	4	0	3	0	0	8	14	2
Arizona State	1	0	1	2	1	0	0	0	0	5	10	0

Photo by: Marison Bilagody / Arizona Athletics

04/04/2025 | Baseball

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By: Arizona Athletics

PHOENIX, Ariz. — The Arizona Wildcats (21-9, 7-3) picked up a crucial win their series opener against the Arizona State Sun Devils (20-10, 7-3) on Friday night. It was an 8-5 victory fueled by a pair of home runs, a fifth-inning rally, and dominant relief pitching.

Right-handed relievers Casey Hintz and Garrett Hicks turned in dominant outings for the Wildcats, combining to cover the final 5.2 innings while limiting ASU to just one run on four hits; the duo combined to tally seven strikeouts. Hintz (6-1) earned the win, while Hicks picked up his second save.

Center fielder Aaron Walton opened the scoring with a solo home run in the top of the first inning, his fifth long ball of the season. Designated hitter Maddox Mihalakis broke a tie game in the seventh inning with a mammoth two-run home run in the top of the seventh.

Down 4-1 in the top of the fifth, the Wildcats took on two quick outs before mounting an impressive rally. Six consecutive batters reached base to fuel the rally, highlighted by run-scoring singles from Mihalakis, Tommy Splaine, and Mathis Meurant.

Starting pitcher Collin McKinney worked 3.1 innings for the Wildcats and struck out three; he did not factor into the decision.

Arizona WildBATS

DH Maddox Mihalakis: 2-for-5, 2 R, HR, 4 RBI
CF Aaron Walton: 1-for-3, 2 R, HR, RBI, 2 BB
1B Tommy Splaine: 2-for-5, 2B, RBI
3B Mathis Meurant: 2-for-5, R, 2B, RBI
C Adonys Guzman: 4-for-5, 2 R
RF Gunner Geile: 1-for-4, 3B, RBI

Bullpen Bullies

RHP Casey Hintz: 3.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 4 K, Win (6-1)
RHP Garett Hicks: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 K, Save (2)

Number of the Day

Dating back to the end of last season, the Wildcats have now won four consecutive games against the Sun Devils.

Photo of the Day

Social Media Coverage

nothing better than a road dub ?? pic.twitter.com/jMDXYay353
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) April 5, 2025

?? DUDE ALERT ?? @GarrettHicks20 with two straight punchies to end the 8th! ?? pic.twitter.com/e6RyzFPQjV
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) April 5, 2025

?? Cats twin killing and a groundout nix the scoring threat in the 7th! pic.twitter.com/NbFDGqVTRv
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) April 5, 2025

The lead is 3? after a @GunnerGeile triple! pic.twitter.com/PpdGxvQNw8
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) April 5, 2025

checking with our experts but being told that 431 feet is a long ways ?? pic.twitter.com/m4jfuQFK8U
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) April 5, 2025

??? YEAH HINTZY! Back-to-back swinging to erase a one-out double! ???? pic.twitter.com/e3lRg4Gs7h
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) April 5, 2025

Two out, so what. 4? straight two-out knocks and the Cats are back on top! pic.twitter.com/YMeFaKI0NP
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) April 5, 2025