Can go for the mop on Sunday
Ahead of their 4-game weekend series, the coaches from Arizona and Pepperdine agreed to play out the first two games no matter what happens and then revisit whether to implement a mercy rule for the last two. But after a low-scoring game on Friday, one where neither team had to go deep into its bullpen, the decision was made not to play a full nine innings for the third contest.
Pepperdine may have wanted to rethink that, while the UA took full advantage by emptying its bench.
Arizona got 25 hits from 13 different players, scoring early and often in a 21-2 win over the Waves on Saturday night at Hi Corbett Field. The UA has won the first three games of the series and can go for the sweep Sunday at 12 p.m. PT.
“We like to play (all the innings), just so we can get a bunch of guys in,” UA coach Chip Hale said. “We’ll talk about it again tomorrow morning.”
Had the mercy rule—leading by 10 runs in the 7th inning or later—been in effect the Wildcats (10-4) still would have won 16-2. But by going two more innings Hale was able to give some little (or yet to be) used players an opportunity.
Junior college transfer Ethan Guerra made his Division I debut and reached base twice, getting a single in the 7th and scoring and walking in the 8th, while Dom Rodriguez also got his first UA hit and TJ Adams his first of the season.
The latter innings also allowed Rutgers transfer Christian Coppola to make his pitching debut, and the right-hander needed 11 pitches two retire the side in order in the 7th with two strikeouts. Righty Matthew Martinez, making his first appearance since Feb. 15, struck out the side on 11 pitches in the 8th, and then Jack Berg struck out three in a row to end the game after giving up a leadoff triple.
“ Coppola, I think he’s on his way to really being able to help us,” Hale said. “I think those guys are guys we are counting on help us win in the Big 12.”
Four Wildcats had at least three hits, with Mason White going 5 for 6 with four RBI and four runs scored. Adonys Guzman and Aaron Walton both went 3 for 5 and drove in three while Maddox Mihalakis had two RBI and was a home run away from the cycle.
Mihalakis, who is in a platoon at both third base and designated hitter, flew out to center in the 6th in his last attempt to become the first UA player with a cycle since Bill Rinehart in 2007.
“It’s a great thing this year that we have so much depth,” said Mihalakis, who is hitting .311. “We have such good we have such a good team and such a dynamic offense that it’s great to be able to share time with guys like that and see them excel, and then also be able to get my time when it comes and do my best when it comes as well.”
Sophomore righty Owen Kramkowski improved to 2-1 by going 5.2 innings, allowing four hits and two unearned runs with five strikeouts. He lowered his ERA to 6.23 and has yet to allow a walk in 17.1 innings.
“Each (start) I’ve felt more comfortable on the mound,” Kramkowski said. “I’m trying to get a chase, but I’m always working in my margins.”
Freshman righty Smith Bailey will start for Arizona on Sunday. A win would give the Wildcats their first 4-game series sweep since 2022.