Despite battling back to tie the game in the top of the eighth inning, No. 17 Arizona ultimately lost its Pac-12 opener at No. 11 UCLA 3-2 on Friday night at Jackie Robinson Stadium.
UCLA’s Jack Filby drew a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the ninth to plate the game-winning run.
The Wildcats (12-5) had a good outing from starting pitcher Chase Silseth, who worked 6 2/3 innings and allowed just two runs on five hits while striking out nine. He threw 108 pitches and did not factor into the decision.
What an outing from @Chase_Silseth! His final line: 6.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 9 K 🔥 #BearDown pic.twitter.com/JpCXckjLV1
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) March 20, 2021
The Wildcats offense was uncharacteristically quiet for the first seven innings, recording just four hits and one walk. They found a spark down two runs in the eighth with two outs. Center fielder Donta’ Williams doubled off the wall in left field to set up a game-tying two-run home run by shortstop Jacob Blas.
Blas’ second home run of the year means that in 17 games he has doubled his career home run total.
WHAT A CATCH @dtwill23❗ 👏 #BearDown
💻 https://t.co/RJKxWHeiO1 pic.twitter.com/l5jYRAiC5H
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) March 20, 2021
JT Schwartz sparked UCLA’s ninth-inning rally, drawing a four-pitch walk to lead off the ninth. With one out, Michael Curialle legged out a high chopper over the mound for a single, with both runners moving up a base after second baseman Kobe Kato’s throw to first got away.
The Wildcats then elected to intentionally walk junior catcher Noah Cardenas, setting up Filby’s pinch-hit base on balls delivered by Preston Price (0-1).
Click here to access Friday’s box score.
The series resumes Saturday at 2 p.m. at Jackie Robinson Stadium. Arizona is slated to start left-hander Garrett Irvin (0-1, 3.38 ERA) against UCLA’s lefty Jessee Bergin (3-1, 2.18).
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