Arizona Wins Houston Series, Secures Big 12 Tournament Bye

Saturday, May 17

Houston, Texas / Schroeder Park

11:00 AM MST

University of Arizona

36-18, 18-12

Houston

29-24, 12-17

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

Box Score (PDF)

All images are Copyright to Juan DeLeon Creative

Photo by: ©Juan DeLeon Creative

05/17/2025 | Baseball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

By: Arizona Athletics

HOUSTON, Texas — The Arizona Wildcats (36-18, 18-12) wrapped up the regular season with an 8-1 series-clinching victory over the Houston Cougars (29-24, 12-17) on Saturday afternoon.

With the win, Arizona secured a first round bye in next week's Phillips 66 Big 12 Baseball Championship played at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. The Wildcats tournament journey will begin in the quarterfinals on Thursday, May 22 at 7:00 a.m. MST on ESPN+; they will play the winner of the Arizona State–BYU game on Wednesday morning.

The Wildcats finished the regular season with 36 wins and 18 Big 12 Conference victories. Arizona's 36 regular season wins are their most since tallying 40 in 2021.

Freshman starting pitcher Smith Bailey authored the best start of his collegiate career, working 6.0 innings and limiting the Cougars to just one run on three hits. Bailey struck out five and earned the win to improve to 2-3 on the year.

The Wildcats sent three relievers out to follow Bailey — right-handers Julian Tonghini, Hunter Alberini, and Tony Pluta combined for three scoreless innings and six strikeouts while allowing just one hit.

Arizona's offense was led by a three-hit performance from first baseman Andrew Cain, who swatted a home run and two doubles while driving in two runs.

Shortstop Mason White also homered, sending out a two-run shot in the top of the fifth to cap the day's scoring.

Arizona WildBATS

1B Andrew Cain: 3-for-4, 2 R, 2 2B, HR, 2 RBI
SS Mason White: 1-for-3, 2 R, HR, 2 RBI
DH Adonys Guzman: 1-for-4, R, 2B, 2 RBI
RF Brendan Summerhill: 1-for-3, R, 2B, 2 BB

Bullpen Bullies

RHP Julian Tonghini: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Hunter Alberini: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 K
RHP Tony Pluta: 1.0 IP, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K

Number of the Day

Mason White now boasts 101 career extra-base hits, tied for third most in program history with his current head coach, Chip Hale.
- His 23 extra-base hits in Big 12 games this year are the most in conference play in program history.

Photo of the Day

Social Media Coverage

Big Seeds notched his first career quality start right when the Cats needed it most ?? pic.twitter.com/CTZOER8Hx7
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) May 17, 2025

Punctuation mark to end the sixth! What a performance from @smithbaileyyy! ??? pic.twitter.com/MtZZmg7leN
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) May 17, 2025

Career extra-base hit No. 1?0?1? for White ties none other than Chip Hale for third in program history! pic.twitter.com/rqQYAm300L
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) May 17, 2025

Third dinger in four games for the red-hot Cain! ?? pic.twitter.com/mNlfkHMZOO
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) May 17, 2025

Cats bats are hot! Two-run double after a long battle at the plate from Guzman! ?? pic.twitter.com/RXUmtVMEsD
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) May 17, 2025

Tommy Smokes rips one to left and nets the Cats a lead! ?? pic.twitter.com/CCEUuNcFyB
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) May 17, 2025

Cats are on the board! Fogle robs one in the 1st, plates one in the 2nd! ?? pic.twitter.com/e2qZIdpFFx
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) May 17, 2025

WHAT. A. CATCH! ?? Fogle robs the Coogs of extra bases! pic.twitter.com/hGkJmk3m8g
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) May 17, 2025

Next Up

Arizona awaits their opponent at the Big 12 Baseball Championship next week in Arlington. The Wildcats first game will be on Thursday, May 22 at Globe Life Field.