Arizona welcomed the 2021 season with a 3-0 win over the Ball State Cardinals last night at Hi Corbett Field.
Sophomore right-hander Chase Silseth earned the Opening Night start for the Wildcats and the transfer from the College of Southern Nevada struck out seven and allowed three hits over 5 2/3 innings to earn the win.
It was third Opening Night shutout under sixth-year coach Jay Johnson. The Wildcats struck out 14 batters and allowed just five hits and only three walks. Arizona’s pitchers notched 10-plus strikeouts for the 12th time in 16 games under associate head coach Nate Yeskie, who came to the Wildcats from perennial power Oregon State.
Scoring recap:
After two quick flies to start the bottom half of the first inning, Arizona’s second baseman Kobe Kato and Branden Boissiere were both walked. What followed was an aggressive 2-and-2 count, hit-and-run cashed in by Arizona’s designated hitter Ryan Holgate, who doubled to the right-center field gap for a 2-0 lead..
In the top of the fourth inning, after allowing two hits and a mound visit, Silseth settled down and punched out center fielder Aaron Simpson.
In the bottom of the fifth, after allowing a leadoff walk to Arizona’s center-fielder Donta’ Williams, Ball State starter Ty Weatherly was pulled out of the game. Weatherly allowed three hits and two runs while striking out three.
3-0 Cats! pic.twitter.com/r3xrOBzRvK
— Jay Johnson (@UACoachJ) February 20, 2021
Zach Losey came in from the bullpen, and after a base hit by Jacob Blas and a successful bunt by Kato, Arizona added one more run after a fielder’s choice.
In the top half of the sixth, after a walk, two hit-by-pitches and a passed ball, Silseth was pulled out.
Preston Price came in from the bullpen and struck out Simpson to escape from a bases-loaded jam.
Top half of the seventh inning began with what should have been a triple for Ball State, but after that play, Arizona threw to second and umpire Kellen Levy called pinch-hitter Decker Scheffler out for missing the bag while rounding it.
In the top half of the eighth, after his fourth strikeout, Price was replaced by left-hand reliever Ian Churchill. Churchill retired the next two hitters with a strikeout and groundout.
Vince Vannelle came in to close out the ball game earning the save.
The Wildcats will continue their four-game series with the Cardinals on Saturday at 6 p.m.
The game will be broadcast live on KCUB (1290-AM) with the Voice of the Wildcats Brian Jeffries calling the action. It can also be watched streamed live at ArizonaWildcats.com.
Boxscore:
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