LAS VEGAS - Luc Fladda tossed seven scoreless innings, Nate Novitske recorded three hits for the third consecutive game, and Arizona had four separate players record two or more hits apiece as the Wildcats earned a dominant 7-1 victory over UC Irvine.

The Wildcats (3-8) recorded 10 hits, including five extra base hits, while Arizona's pitching staff composed of Fladda, Mason Russell, and Evan Brandt limited the Anteaters to a season-low one run on just five hits, marking their second lowest single game total this season. 

Novitske had his third consecutive three-hit performance and was named the MVP of the 2026 Live Like Lou Las Vegas College Baseball Classic after going 9-14 at the plate with four RBI. 

Caleb Danzeisen went 2-4 on the day, while drawing one walk, scoring three runs, and recording one RBI. The true freshman was named to the All-Tournament Team for his stellar play throughout the weekend. 

Carson McEntire had a superb day, as he went 2-3 with a walk and a home run, and scored two runs and had two RBI. Dom Rodriguez also had a tremendous performance for Arizona, going 2-3 with a double and two runs scored. 

Fladda was nothing short of sensational, as he threw seven shutout innings, while allowing just four hits and fanning nine UC Irvine batters.

Fladda set the tone early, starting off the day by retiring three of four batters faced in the first inning, and the Wildcats offense responded immediately. Danzeisen drew a lead off walk and Novitske followed with a single. Both runners advanced bases on a wild pitch, before Tony Lira grounded out, but plated Danzeisen on the play, as Arizona built a 1-0 lead after the first inning.

Fladda retired the side in the top of the second and Arizona continued to stay hot offensively. Rodriguez led off the inning by reaching base after getting hit by a pitch, and McEntire proceeded to single down the right field line. Cash Brennan laid down a sacrifice bunt and that brought TJ Adams to the plate. Adams hit a sacrifice fly to score Rodriguez and give the Wildcats a 2-0 advantage. Danzeisen then tripled off the wall in right-center field to plate another run. Novitske followed by lining a ball back up the middle for an RBI single, and Arizona held a 4-0 advantage after two innings.

Fladda continued his dominant performance on the mound, retiring the next six batters he faced, as Arizona maintained a 4-0 advantage through four innings. 

After allowing back-to-back singles in the top of the fifth, Fladda struck out a batter and forced another into a groundout to get out of the half inning. Arizona's offense got going again in the bottom half of the frame, as Rodriguez led off with a ground-rule double, and then advanced to third on a wild pitch with McEntire at the plate. Facing a 1-1 count, McEntire launched a ball to right field that cleared the fence easily, pushing Arizona's lead up to 6-0. After two consecutive outs, Danzeizen singled to left field to keep the inning going. Novitske stepped up next and delivered yet again for the Wildcats, doubling to right-center field and Danzeisen scored on the play to make it a 7-0 advantage.

Fladda closed his outing by retiring the final six batters he faced, finishing seven exceptional innings and sending Arizona into the eighth inning with a 7–0 lead.

Mason Russell and Evan Brandt closed out the game for the Wildcats, allowing one run in the top of the ninth before ending the game, as Arizona went on to secure the impressive 7-1 victory. 

Arizona will return to the field on Tuesday when they are slated to host Grand Canyon at Hi Corbett Field with first pitch scheduled for 6:05 p.m. (MST).