PHOENIX — The Arizona Wildcats (13-7, 3-4) dropped a 6-5 decision in their series opener at the Arizona State Sun Devils (14-8, 3-1) on Friday night at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.
Starting pitcher TJ Nichols (3-2) pitched well but suffered the loss after giving up five earned runs in six innings of work. He struck out seven and didn’t issue a single walk on 82 total pitches.
The Wildcats bullpen, represented by left-hander Jackson Kent and right-hander Dawson Netz, impressed in relief of Nichols. The duo combined to hold the Sun Devils scoreless on just two hits while fanning three over the final two innings.
Second baseman Garen Caulfield and first baseman Kiko Romero both swatted solo home runs on Friday, with the latter’s coming with two outs in the top of the ninth to make it a one-run ballgame.
Arizona WildBATS
- 2B Garen Caulfield: 3-for-3, R, HR, 3 RBI, BB
- 1B Kiko Romero: 2-for-4, R, HR, RBI, BB
- C Cameron LaLiberte: 1-for-4, R, BB
Bullpen Bullies
Number of the Night
- Friday marked the first three-hit game of Garen Caulfield’s collegiate career. The second baseman reached base all four times he came to the plate in the series opener.
Photo of the Night
Social Media Coverage
??BANG!!?? Two-out solo ?? from @KikoRomero_2 to dead center!! #BearDown pic.twitter.com/vUHo8lADjg
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) March 25, 2023
That one is ???????? the bullpen! Cats back within ?? #BearDown
??
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at University of Arizona Athletics…