Arizona started its four-game series against Pepperdine with a dominant 7-2 win Thursday night at Hi Corbett Field.
Arizona starting pitcher Michael Hilker Jr. worked three scoreless, one-hit innings with one strikeout. He faced just one batter over the minimum but did not factor into the decision in what amounted to a bullpen day for the Wildcats (8-4).
Representing the bullpen were five relief arms, four of which posted scoreless outings.
Southpaws Eric Orloff and Mason Russell, along with right-handers Carson Johnson and Garrett Hicks combined to allow just two hits while issuing no walks and striking out three.
Johnson (2-0) earned the win after retiring six straight batters on just 14 pitches.
Thumper Thursday pic.twitter.com/q37NMEt2AK
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) March 7, 2025
Right fielder Brendan Summerhill paced the offense and fell a double shy of the cycle while driving in three runs. His solo home run in the seventh inning was his second long ball of the season.
Summerhill finished 3 for 5 with two runs, a triple, home run and three RBIs.
Aaron Walton and Adonys Guzman each went 3 for 4. Walton had two runs and two doubles and Guzman had a run and a double.
The Wildcats’ three strikeouts on offense tied for their fewest in the last six seasons.
The performances of the bullpen:
- Johnson — 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, Win (2-0)
- Orloff — 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
- Russell — 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB
- Hicks — 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
The series resumes Friday. First pitch on ESPN+ is scheduled for 6 p.m.
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