SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - Caleb Danzeisen went 2-4 including the game-tying three-run homer, Maddox Mihalakis went 2-4 with two runs scored, and Corey Kling and Garrett Hicks combined to throw 5.2 scoreless innings in relief, as Arizona earned a thrilling 8-6 comeback win over Utah in 11 innings.
The Wildcats (7-10, 1-0) did not lead until the top of the 11th inning, as they displayed tremendous poise and resiliency to erase a 6-1 deficit and defeat the Utes (9-6, 0-1) in extra innings.
Danzeisen had the best performance of his young career, as the true freshman had two hits and three RBI, while also drawing a walk to reach base three times in the game. Carson McEntire also delivered a big night at the plate, going 1-3 with a solo shot and a sacrifice fly to record two RBI.
Mihalakis maintained his recent stretch of superb play, going 2-4 with an RBI and two runs scored.
Owen Kramkowski started on the mound for Arizona and threw 5.1 innings, allowing nine hits and six runs, four of which were earned, while striking out nine. Corey Kling entered in relief and threw a flawless 2.2 innings, not allowing any hits or walks and striking out two batters. Hicks then finished the job, tossing 3.0 scoreless innings to earn the win.
Utah struck first, as they hit a solo home run in their first at-bat to take a 1-0 lead over the Wildcats.
The Utes added to their lead in the fourth inning, scoring another run to take a 2-0 advantage.
Arizona responded in the top of the sixth, as McEntire launched a sole home run to the opposite side of the field, trimming the deficit to one run.
Utah managed to score four runs in the bottom of the sixth frame and extend their advantage up to 6-1.
The Wildcats added one run back in the seventh when Mihalakis hit a sacrifice fly to left-center field to score Nate Novitske.
Arizona entered the top of the ninth inning trailing Utah 6-2.
After a groundout to start the ninth frame, Andrew Cain drew a walk. Mihalakis followed by lacing a ball through the right side of the field for a single. Beau Sylvester was then hit by a pitch to load the bases with one out. Danzeisen stepped up to the plate, and Cain scored while Mihalakis and Sylvester advanced on a wild pitch. Facing a full count, Danzeisen turned on a pitch and hit a line drive shot that carried over the wall in right-center field to tie the game at six runs apiece.
Hicks entered the game in the bottom of the ninth and worked around a walk and a hit batter to retire three Utah batters and send the game to extra innings.
Arizona did not get a runner on base in the top of the 10th, and Hicks once again worked around a walk to shut down the Utah offense, as the game entered the 11th inning.
After a fly out to start the 11th, Mihalakis came through with a clutch double to right field. Sylvester then singled to shallow right field to put runners on the corners with one out. After a walk to load the bases, Mihalakis scored on a wild pitch, giving Arizona their first lead of the contest. McEntire then hit a sacrifice fly to score Sylvester and increase Arizona's lead.
Hicks retired the side in the bottom of the 11th to secure the victory for the Wildcats.
Arizona will return to the field on Saturday at 1 p.m. (MST) for the second game of the series against Utah.
