TUCSON, Ariz. - The University of Arizona baseball team came up short on Tuesday night, falling to the Omaha Mavericks by a final score of 3-1.
The Wildcats (0-4) tallied six hits and drew three walks, while Omaha (1-3) had three hits and six walks.
Tony Lira continued his superb start to the season, going 2-4 at the plate, as he has now recorded multiple hits in the past three games. Making his season debut, Easton Breyfogle also tallied two hits for the Wildcats.
Freshman Jack Lafflam started on the mound for Arizona, throwing 2.1 innings and allowing two hits and three earned runs, while recording four strikeouts.
Arizona received tremendous performances from its relief pitchers, as Mason Russell, Matthew Martinez, Corey Kling, and Garrett Hicks combined to allow one hit and zero runs, while striking out 11 batters. Russell and Martinez were outstanding, as Russell pitched 1.2 innings and struck out all five batters he faced, not allowing a single batter to reach base. Martinez was nearly just as impressive, throwing 2.2 innings and allowing zero hits, while recording three strikeouts.
Lafflam started off strong, striking out two batters in the top of the first inning to shut down the Mavericks. After Arizona went three up, three down in the bottom of the first, Omaha's offense got going in the top of the second. After a walk and a hit, with two outs in between, Lafflam hit an Omaha batter to load the bases with two outs. The Mavericks managed to hit a double to bring all three runners home and take a 3-0 lead.
In the bottom of the third, the Wildcats' offense woke up, as Caleb Danzeisen commenced the half inning with a leadoff double. Two batters later Nate Novitske drew a walk; and, after a strikeout, Lira singled to load the bases. Unfortunately, Arizona was unable to capitalize on the opportunity.
The Wildcats managed to get two runners on base with one out in the bottom of the seventh; however, they were once again unable to score.
Arizona continued to battle, and in the bottom of the ninth, Beau Sylvester led off by reaching base on an error. Breyfogle followed by smashing a single to right field for his second hit of the day. After a flyout, freshman Jackson Forbes entered the game for the first time in his collegiate career as a pinch hitter. In a high-pressure situation, Forbes delivered, lacing a ball off the right center field wall for an RBI double. After an out, Novitske walked for a second time in the game to load the bases; but, Omaha was able to get the final out in the next at-bat, as Arizona lost 3-1.
The Wildcats will return to the field on Thursday, February 19, as they are set to begin a four-game home series against UConn. Thursday's game is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. at Hi Corbett Field.
