STILLWATER, Okla. - Mathis Meurant delivered a three-hit, three-RBI performance, Andrew Cain reached base five times, and Luc Fladda dominated on the mound as the University of Arizona baseball team opened the series with a thrilling 7-4 win at No. 21 Oklahoma State on Friday.
Arizona finished with 12 hits and six walks, while Oklahoma State was held to just four hits and two walks.
Meurant and Cain each matched a season high with three hits to pace the Wildcat offense. Meurant went 3-for-4 with two doubles, a home run, three RBI, and two runs scored. Cain was a perfect 3-for-3 with two walks, reaching base in all five plate appearances while adding an RBI and a run scored.
Tony Lira also posted a multi-hit effort, finishing 2-for-4 with a walk and a run scored. Maddox Mihalakis and Carson McEntire each contributed a hit and RBI, while Caleb Danzeisen also drove in a run.
Fladda was dominant through 7.0 innings, retiring 16 of the first 17 batters he faced and not allowing a hit until the sixth inning. He finished with 11 strikeouts. Corey Kling was outstanding in relief, working the final two innings while allowing just one hit and no runs, striking out four to close the door.
Arizona struck first after Nate Novitske drew a leadoff walk to open the game. Lira followed with a single to put two on, and after a flyout, Cain worked a walk to load the bases. Mihalakis then drew a bases-loaded walk to give the Wildcats an early 1-0 lead.
Arizona added another run in the third inning. After a leadoff strikeout, Cain ripped a triple off the center field wall and later scored on McEntire's RBI bunt single.
The Wildcats extended their lead in the sixth. Following two quick outs, Lira doubled down the right field line. Beau Syvlester drew a walk, and Cain followed with a single to center to bring Lira home.
Oklahoma State got on the board in the bottom of the sixth with a solo home run, cutting the deficit to 3-1.
The Cowboys then took their first lead in the seventh with a three-run home run, moving ahead 4-3.
Trailing for the first time with six outs remaining, Arizona answered immediately. Meurant led off the eighth with a solo home run to left field to tie the game at 4-4.
In the ninth, Cain opened the inning with a single, and Mihalakis followed with a base hit through the right side. McEntire was hit by a pitch to load the bases, and Danzeisen delivered a sacrifice fly to center to score Cain and put Arizona back in front. Two batters later, Meurant struck again, lining a two-run double to right field for his third extra-base hit of the night.
Kling finished it off by striking out two in a scoreless ninth, sealing Arizona's 7-4 win in the series opener.
Arizona and Oklahoma State continue the series Friday at 4 p.m. (MST).
