The lineup continued to struggle early in the season for Arizona, losing 3-1 on Tuesday night in the home opener against Omaha at Hi Corbett Field to begin 0-4 for the first time in program history.
“Guys that we know and have had a history of hitting here are struggling right now,” Arizona coach Chip Hale said about this offense’s early struggles. “We’re striking out too much. Obviously, some of those balls are going out of the zone late, but for the most part, we’re just missing out pitch to hit.”
Freshman pitcher Jack Lafflam loaded the bases in the top of the second, walking Mason Gaines, giving up a single to Hayden Lewis, and hitting Drew Borner. Chase Diggins hits a bases-clearing double down the left field line, giving Omaha (1-3) the early 3-0 lead.
Arizona had an opportunity to chip into Omaha’s lead in the bottom of the third with runners at the corners, with a double from Caleb Danzeisen and a single from Tony Lira with two outs. Arizona came up empty handed, with Ironwood Ridge grad Andrew Cain flying out to right field, keeping Omaha’s lead at three.
After pulling Lafflam out after he went 2 1/3 innings, Arizona’s bullpen would retire Omaha’s next eight batters, six of them coming from strikeout.
“I thought all of the pitchers did a really nice job,” Hale said. “Jack was fine; it was his first time out as a freshman.”
Arizona kept the bases clear until the top of the seventh, when Drew Borner walked and Diggins hit a single to third, slightly beating the throw from Maddox Mihalakis. Omaha wouldn’t capitalize on the two baserunners; their next batter, Edoardo Cornelli, grounded out to second, keeping Arizona within striking distance.
After Beau Sylvester grounded out to short, Arizona’s next two batters, Easton Breyfogle singled and Carson McEntire walked, forcing Omaha to take out relief pitcher Nick Riggs and bring in Carter Mick to get out of the jam and prevent an Arizona rally.
After the pitching change, Dom Rodriguez struck out, and Mathis Meurant flew out to shallow right, leaving more runners on base stranded for Arizona.
Sylvester reached to start the bottom of the ninth on a throw that was initially called out. After review, Jackson Trout’s foot came off the bag as he was catching the ball. After a long at-bat, Breyfogle came out on top, hitting a single to right, getting Arizona’s first two batters aboard.
After McEntire flied out to right field, Jackson Forbes hit a double deep to center field, bringing Sylvester home.
Meurant struck out, leaving Arizona with only one out to work with. Nate Novitske walked on four pitches, loading up the bases for Mihalakis.
Nate Moquin struck out Mihalakis to hold on and win it for Omaha.
Arizona looks to get its first win of the season this Thursday, opening up a four-game home series against UConn. First pitch is at 6 p.m. on ESPN+.
“We’ve had some rough go. We’ve had some injuries, and I think some guys are pressing a little bit, whether they’re new guys or old guys,” Hale said. “Get a win in the win column, and maybe they can relax and play more like who they are.”
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