TUCSON, Ariz. - Carson McEntire launched a two-run homer and Nate Novitske, Maddox Mihalakis, Cash Brennan, and Beau Sylvester each recorded multi-hit performances, but the Arizona baseball team fell to Houston, 7-5, in 13 innings on Saturday night at Hi Corbett Field.
The Wildcats (17-32, 7-19 Big 12) totaled 12 hits in the contest, while Houston finished with 23 hits.
Sylvester paced the Arizona offense, going 2-for-5 with two runs, while Mihalakis finished 2-for-4 with an RBI triple and a run scored. Brennan went 2-for-6 with an RBI, and McEntire delivered a two-run home run as part of a 2-for-5 evening.Â
Luc Fladda got the start for Arizona, allowing just one run across 6.0 innings.Â
Houston struck first in the second inning as Riley Jackson connected on a solo home run to left field to give the Cougars a 1-0 lead.
Arizona answered in the bottom of the fifth with a four-run inning to take control of the game. Mihalakis opened the frame with a single before Caleb Danzeisen followed with a base hit through the left side. Brennan then lined an RBI single into left field to plate Mihalakis and tie the game. Later in the inning, Mathis Meurant brought home Danzeisen with a sacrifice bunt, before McEntire launched a two-run homer to deep left field to put the Wildcats ahead 4-1.
Houston responded in the top of the sixth, as they hit a three-run homer to left field to even the score at 4-4.
Houston regained the lead in the 12th inning, plating a run to take a 5-4 advantage.
Arizona answered in the bottom half of the frame after Sylvester singled and Mihalakis ripped an RBI triple down the right field line; but, Houston plated two runs in the top of the 13th and Arizona was unable to match it, as they fell 7-5 to the Cougars.
Arizona returns to Hi Corbett Field on Sunday afternoon for the series finale against Houston. First pitch is scheduled for 11 a.m.
