With West Virginia winning the first two games, Arizona needed to win on Sunday to prevent its first season-opening series sweep since 1979.
Arizona coach Chip Hale and his coaching staff made changes in the lineup to break open the offense in the 15-5 victory at Hi Corbett Field.
Most notably, Mason White (Salpointe grad) moved to the lead off spot. Mac Bingham went from six to four. Kiko Romero (Canyon del Oro) switched from four to five.
The shakeup of the batting order worked.
Bingham, the Wildcats’ center fielder, had a career day with seven RBIs, more than doubling his previous career best of three, going 4 for 5 with two home runs.
The Wildcats’ scoring bonanza started in the first inning when a balk was called on Mountaineers starting pitcher Grant Siegal, bringing White home.
Bingham hit a 2-run home run to put Arizona (4-3) in the lead 3-1 over the Mountaineers (4-3).
The second inning continued the hit parade when White knocked an RBI double scoring Tyler Casagrande. Bingham then hit an RBI double that scored White.
Arizona padded its lead in the third and fourth innings on a Casagrande RBI sac fly and a Romero RBI double, giving the Wildcats a 7-2 advantage.
Bingham’s second home run of the game came in the fifth inning, a three-run bomb to left field.
Arizona added three more runs and held a 13-4 lead at the end of the inning.
During the fifth inning, Arizona fans held their breathe when Chase Davis, sliding into second base took a hard hit as West Virginia’s shortstop landed right on top of him. The training staff came onto the field to evaluate Davis.
After a few minutes Davis was able to continue and play resumed.
Arizona’s final two runs and Bingham’s final RBI came in the sixth inning.
The Wildcats’ next game is Tuesday against California Baptist at Hi Corbett Field. Game starts at 6:00 p.m.
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