SURPRISE, Ariz. - The University of Arizona baseball team fell to Michigan on Sunday evening by a final score of 4-1, as they concluded play at the 2026 College Baseball Series.
The Wildcats (0-3) recorded seven hits and one walk, while the Wolverines (3-0) posted 10 hits and drew four walks.
Starting pitcher Collin McKinney had a stellar season debut for Arizona, pitching 4.2 innings and allowing six hits and two runs, while striking out eight batters.
Offensively, Tony Lira and Mathis Meurant each had impressive outings. Lira had two hits in four at-bats, including the first extra base hit of his career; and, he scored the lone run of the night for Arizona. Lira finished the weekend with a team-high six hits and was tremendous in the field. Meurant went 1-2 at the plate and drew a walk, reaching base twice for the second consecutive game. He finished the weekend with a .375 average (3-8) and reached base five times, while recording two RBI.
Arizona fell behind early in the contest, as Michigan scored a run in the bottom of the first on a sacrifice fly to take a 1-0 lead.
The two squads went scoreless over the next two innings, before Arizona responded in the top of the fourth inning. After Lira laced a leadoff double, Nate Novitske hit a ground ball that advanced Lira to third. Beau Sylvester dug in and ripped a single through the right side of the field to bring Lira home. Making his first collegiate start, Caleb Danzeisen singled to right field on the next at-bat to put two runners on; unfortunately, the Wildcats were unable to capitalize on the opportunity, as a double play ended the inning.
The Wolverines plated a run of their own in the bottom half of the frame to retake the lead.
After a scoreless fifth inning for both teams, Michigan tacked on two more runs in the bottom of the sixth, extending their advantage to 4-1.
Patrick Morris entered the game in relief and had a strong performance, throwing 2.1 innings and not allowing any runs; however, Arizona was unable to get anything going offensively down the stretch. The team fell to Michigan in the final game of the College Baseball Series.
Arizona will return to the field on Tuesday, February 17 to host Omaha at Hi Corbett field, with first-pitch scheduled for 6:00 p.m. After taking on Omaha, the Wildcats will host UConn for a four-game series beginning on Thursday, February 19.
