Arizona joins festivities at Mexican Baseball Fiesta with victory over Hermosillo

Arizona’s baseball team began its fall exhibition schedule on Thursday night at the Kino Veteran’s Memorial Stadium with a 7-1 victory over the Naranjeros de Hermosillo at the Vamos a Tucson Mexican Baseball Fiesta.

The game is part of the four-day Mexican Baseball Fiesta that will consist of Liga Arco Mexicana del Pacifico (Mexican Winter Baseball League) teams — including the Naranjeros — playing exhibition games against each other before their winter seasons begin.

The biggest hit of the evening for Arizona came off the bat of Maddox Mihalakis in the sixth inning.

He sent a solo home run over the right field wall to give Arizona the 2-1 lead, which turned out to be the game-winning hit.

“It was nice. It was good to come out here and get some good swings off,” Mihalakis said. “This is really good for us and our team to get out here in front of fans, in front of our fans. It was good to see really good pitchers over there. It’s good start to the fall and a good start for us.”

Wildcats would also add on with a five-run inning in the top of the 9th.

Pitching was stellar as well. They used nine pitchers on the evening, allowing just the one run on a combined four hits. Jack Berg was the only pitcher to give up a run, which was unearned.

“They’ve been looking good. We got some power arms and some guys with some really good stuff,” Arizona coach Chip Hale said. “You know, one inning looks great, but a lot of those guys have to pitch more than one inning. So, we’re excited to get them in the spring.”

#WinnerWinner‼️ Cats take down Hermosillo, 7-1! pic.twitter.com/nnYSTbvj5m

— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) October 4, 2024

While the action on the field was happening, fans were enjoying some good music and dancing in the stands throughout the game.

The Mexican Baseball Fiesta is a cultural event that started in 2011 in Tucson. It’s easy to see why it continues to be a success with the fans. The atmosphere is electric with a passionate fanbase cheering on their teams each second of game.

The event provides in-game concerts where fans can dance the evening away. There is also constant music playing throughout the stadium between each pitch, which can be a little difficult for opposing hitters.

Dinger Alert!

No-doubter from @MaddoxMihalakis puts the Cats in front! pic.twitter.com/sKn4CvrkVW

— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) October 4, 2024

“It was fun,” Hale stated. “I mean the older guys are used to it now. We try to practice it, because most baseball players are not used to getting ready to hit with the music playing right up to time the guy let’s go. It was a cool experience.”

The Wildcats will finish up their 3-game fall exhibition schedule at Hi Corbett Field on Oct. 12 against Pima Community College at 11 a.m. and Central Arizona College on Oct. 18th at 1 p.m.

NOTES: Arizona men’s basketball coach Tommy Lloyd threw out the ceremonial first pitch and legendary Wildcat softball coach Mike Candrea was in attendance. … Hermosillo has on its roster former Catalina Foothills standout Luis Gonzalez (who played with the Chicago White Sox and San Francisco Giants) and former Arizona infielder Alfonso Rivas. Rivas was not in the lineup on Thursday night. He was released this week by the St. Louis Cardinals after playing this summer with Triple-A Memphis. … Former Arizona RHP Konner Wade is listed on Obregon’s roster.