STILLWATER, Okla. - The University of Arizona baseball team concluded the 2026 season with a hard-fought 7-5 loss to Oklahoma State on Saturday afternoon at O'Brate Stadium.
Arizona erased an early 1-0 deficit with a three-run stretch across the second and third innings to take a 3-1 lead over the Cowboys, but a six-run fourth inning from Oklahoma State proved to be the difference in the regular season finale.
Andrew Cain finished 2-for-4 with a ground-rule double, a walk, and two runs scored, while TJ Adams turned in a 2-for-4 performance with an RBI. Dom Rodriguez launched a two-run homer in the fifth inning and Maddox Mihalakis added a hit and an RBI for the Wildcats. Mathis Meurant also had a multi-hit performance, as Arizona totaled 10 hits offensively.
After Oklahoma State grabbed a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first, the Wildcats answered immediately in the second inning. Meurant dropped down a bunt single before Joe Forbes punched a base hit through the left side, setting the table for Adams, who lined an RBI single into left center to even the game at 1-1.
Arizona took its first lead an inning later with aggressive situational offense. Cain singled and Tony Lira ripped a double into right center to put runners on second and third with nobody out before Mihalakis lifted a sacrifice fly to deep center field to bring home Cain. Rodriguez followed with a sacrifice fly of his own to score Lira and give the Wildcats a 3-1 advantage.
The Cowboys responded with a six-run fourth inning fueled by three home runs to reclaim control of the game, but Arizona continued to battle. Cain opened the fifth with a ground-rule double before Rodriguez blasted a two-run homer to left center later in the inning, trimming the deficit to 7-5.
Arizona pitching combined for eight strikeouts on the afternoon, including scoreless outings from Matthew Martinez, and Garrett Hicks out of the bullpen, while Patrick Morris also had a strong showing. Hicks also helped strand a pair of runners in the eighth inning after the Wildcats caught a runner stealing third base to end the frame.
The Wildcats put runners aboard in both the eighth and ninth innings but were unable to complete the comeback as Oklahoma State secured the series sweep.
Saturday's contest marked the completion of the 2026 season for Arizona, as they will now turn their attention to the 2027 campaign.
