Arizona, which dominated Pepperdine in the third game of the four-game series on Saturday scoring 21 runs, was looking to keep its bats hot Sunday.
Despite warmer weather and blue skies, the Wildcats’ bats went cold instead in a 5-3 win that sealed the four-game series sweep at Hi Corbett Field.
The fourth game turned into a high-noon pitchers showdown as Pepperdine starter Dylan Stewart held Arizona scoreless through five innings while allowing only three hits and two walks. He struck out five.
True freshman Smith Bailey started on the mound for Arizona and went 5 2/3 innings throwing 53 strikes on 80 pitches. He allowed seven hits, three runs and three walks but kept the Wildcats within striking distance getting six Waves to strike out.
Bailey never seemed rattled while on the bump, showing the composure of a veteran.
“He’s a very mature kid that’s what enables him to be able to pitch as a freshman. He’s really confident in himself,” Arizona coach Chip Hale said.
Down 3-0 going into the sixth inning, Arizona (11-4) rallied for the victory.
The Wildcats have won 11 of their last 12 games and are now 8-0 at Hi Corbett Field.
Pepperdine grabbed its first run in the first inning when Luke Pemberton hit a triple to right field, plating Justin Rubin.
The Waves took a 3-0 lead in the sixth inning following Andrew Savage‘s two-run double down the left field line.
Junior right-hand pitcher Garrett Hicks, a transfer from Pima Community College, relieved Bailey in the sixth and earned the win by throwing a scoreless seventh inning.
When asked how game day at Arizona compares to game day at Pima, Hicks said: “Pima game day is very long; it’s a double header. You wake up really early and if it’s an away game, you wake up at 5 a.m. and you don’t get back until 9 or 10 o’clock at night and here (Arizona) you wake up, come to the ballpark you get food, you just show up and do your job.”
“It’s a great lesson,” Hicks added. “I mean, honestly it made me a lot tougher, but yeah, that’s kind of the difference. It’s a lot easier on game day here than it was over there.”
Hicks arrived at Pima as a catcher and switched to pitcher. He played catcher and pitcher in high school.
Arizona, stymied at the plate by Stewart, got on the board in the bottom of the sixth inning after Pepperdine went to its bullpen.
After a Mason White single, a Garen Caulfield double and Maddox Mihalakis walk, bases were loaded for Adonys Guzman. who hit a sacrifice fly to center field that brought White home.
The Wildcats grabbed the lead in the seventh inning after Brendan Summerhill doubled through the left side. Aaron Walton walked and White was hit by a pitch, loading the bases for Caulfield, who hit a three-run triple to center field.
“That’s what I’m trying to do — I consider myself a good gap to gap hitter,” Caulfield said. “That’s my approach, something low and hard.”
Arizona’s final run came via Mihalakis, who lined out to right field allowing Caulfield to score on the sacrifice fly.
Tony Pluta earned the save after entering the game in the ninth inning. Pluta faced five batters and got a groundout and two foul-outs to end the game.
Arizona State comes to Hi Corbett Field on Tuesday at 6 p.m. for a single-game non-conference match up — the only game between the rivals in Tucson this year.
“It’s a big deal for us; we want to win,” Hale said. “We’re gonna play to win. We are gonna pitch our best guys.”
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