It was a Wildcats’ battle in Hi Corbett Field on Friday night with Arizona losing 2-1 to Kansas State.
“It was a beautifully pitched game, defense was great, we just did not execute in situations we needed to execute,” Arizona coach Chip Hale said.
It took until the bottom of the sixth inning before either team scored.
A Beau Sylvester triple brought Andrew Cain home from first to put Arizona (14-23, 5-11 Big 12) up 1-0.
Kansas State (24-14, 8-8) tied the game in the eighth on a passed ball and scored what would be the winning run in the ninth.
Arizona starting pitcher Owen Kramkowski had another stellar outing, pitching a season-high 7 1/3 innings, dealing six strikeouts while holding the top hitting team in the Big 12 scoreless through six innings.
Kramkowski allowed just six hits, faced 29 batters and threw 92 pitches with 60 of those strikes.
Garrett Hicks replaced Kramkowski in the seventh going three up, three down, stranding a runner on third but allowed the winning run to score in the ninth and was charged with the loss.
Arizona had multiple opportunities to add to its run total but couldn’t manufacture the hits with runners in scoring position, an issue the Wildcats have dealt with most of the season.
“They executed when they had to and we did not, so that’s kind of the story of the season.” Hale said.
“It’s not like we have anybody in the minor leagues we can bring up that’s just going to come in here and just score a bunch of runs for us. Obviously our offense is very challenged right now and we have to find other ways to score.”
Against Kansas State, Arizona stranded eight runners, had six hits and four walks.
Cain notched his second multiple-hit game in a row going 2 for 4, including a triple to leadoff the eighth.
After his triple, Cain tried to steal home but was thrown out at the plate.
Sylvester went 1 for 3, including a triple that brought in Arizona’s only run and extended his hitting streak to eight games.
Saturday’s game is 1986 National Championship Night with members of the championship team in attendance, including Hale and assistant coach Jerry Stitt, who will throw out the first pitch.
The game is slated to start at 6 p.m and will be streamed on ESPN+
Game Extra:
it was Hispanic Heritage Night and the festivities were kicked off by a mariachi band playing and singing the national anthem.
In Hi C covering game one of the Arizona and Kansas State series for @AllSportsTucson
It’s Hispanic Heritage Night. National Anthem played and sung by a Mariachi band.. it was great! pic.twitter.com/PZf84H2NB2
— Lori Burkhart (@loriburkhart) April 18, 2026
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