TUCSON, Ariz. - Jackson Forbes had a career-high three hits in four at-bats, Cash Brennan went 2-for-3 with two RBI, and Carson McEntire launched his seventh home run of the season to lead the University of Arizona baseball team to a dominant 13-3 victory over New Mexico State in seven innings.
The Wildcats (11-21, 3-9) totaled nine hits and eight walks, while the Aggies managed five hits and one walk.
Arizona was exceptional both offensively and defensively. Forbes paced the offense with a 3-for-4 performance, scoring three runs and driving in two. Brennan added two hits, two RBI, and a walk. McEntire set the tone early with a 438-foot, three-run home run to center field, finishing 1-for-3 with a walk, two runs scored, and three RBI.Nate Novitske and Tony Lira each drove in two runs, and TJ Adams reached base three times (1-for-2, BB, HBP), scoring once and adding an RBI.
Collin McKinney started on the mound and pitched a flawless two innings, striking out two without allowing a baserunner.. Matthew Martinez, Patrick Morris, and Maclain Roberts each had strong relief outings. Martinez pitched a scoreless inning and allowed no hits and one walk, while Morris tossed an inning and did not allow a base runner. Roberts closed out the victory in the bottom of the seventh, allowing just one hit while striking out two batters to secure the run-rule win.
Arizona jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, as McEntire delivered a three-run shot in the bottom of the second inning to open the scoring. Maddox Mihalakis walked and Forbes had his first of three hits prior to McEntire's homer.
Following a scoreless third frame, New Mexico State got one run back in the top of the fourth, scoring on a wild pitch to cut Arizona's lead down to 3-1.
The Wildcats responded immediately, as Forbes led off in the fourth with a single to center field. Two batters later, Brennan walked and Adams was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Lira then walked to bring home a run and push Arizona's lead back up to 4-1.
The Wildcats broke the game open in the sixth inning, plating nine runs, marking their highest-scoring inning of the season. ABrennan started the rally with a single, and after Adams walked and both runners stole bases, Novitske drove in two with a double. After Novitske advanced to third on a wild pitch, Lira came through with a single to right field to score another run. Andrew Cain was hit by a pitch in the next at-bat and Mihalakis then walked to load the bases. Roman Meyers drew another walk to score a run and keep the bases loaded, bringing Forbes up to bat. Forbes delivered in exceptional fashion once again, lining a double back up the middle to score two runs. McEntire walked to load the bases and Brennan singled to plate another two runs. Adams then singled through the left side of the infield to extend Arizona's lead up to 13-1.
New Mexico State scored two runs in the top of the seventh; but, Roberts shut the door with back-to-back strikeouts, as Arizona earned the 13-3 run-rule victory.
Arizona will travel to face TCU in a three-game Big 12 series this weekend. Game one is scheduled for Friday at 4:00 p.m. (MST).
