Arizona lost the second game of its four-game series against UConn 4-0 on Friday night at Hi Corbett Field, relegating the Wildcats to a 0-6 record.
“I think it’s gotten to the point where there’s a lot of anxiety, whether it’s the new guys or the guys who’ve played a lot here, just trying to do too much and they put so much pressure on themselves,” Arizona coach Chip Hale said.
UConn (2-4) got on the board early.
After Rob Rispoli flied out, right-handed pitcher and Walden Grove graduate Owen Kramkowski walked Even Menzel, who stole second during Jackson Marshall’s at-bat. The gamble paid off; Marshall hit a single through the left side of the infield, scoring Menzel.
Kramkowski bounced back, striking out the next two batters to end the Huskies’ half of the first.
Arizona attempted to answer back in the first.
Ironwood Ridge graduate Andrew Cain hit a single to left-center and was thinking of going two, and looked stuck in no man’s land, but a throwing error by Chase Taylor helped out Cain, advancing him to second. Maddox Mihalakis walked. Arizona’s attempt was halted after Dom Rodriguez hit into a fielder’s choice grounder to short.
Arizona is 0-6 after tonight's loss.
The Wildcats' average losing margin is 2.5 runs a game (not bad) while pitching and defense has allowed an average of only 5.7 runs a game (not bad).
Imagine when/if the lineup kicks it into gear?
Arizona is averaging only 3.2 runs a game… https://t.co/E7KapYwGss— Javier Morales (@JavierJMorales) February 21, 2026
The Wildcats wasted no time getting a man on board in the bottom of the second. Leadoff hitter Nate Novitske hit a double to right-center, putting himself in scoring position. Mathis Meurant grounded out to second, advancing Novitske to third. The Wildcats were unsuccessful yet again in bringing a runner across after TJ Adams struck out swinging, ending the second.
“We don’t look ready to hit when we’re taking some pitches,” Hale said about the continuous struggles at the plate. “That comes from anxiety. I mean, in life, right? Anything you do, it’s hard to be at your best when your body’s all knotted up.”
A fielding error by Mihalakis helped Rispoli reach first on a single to lead off the third. Arizona looked to have its first out of the inning on a pop foul to left, but a catcher’s interference led to UConn having its first two runners on board with no outs.
UConn added to its lead on a sacrifice fly by Maddix Delena, scoring Rispoli.
Leading off the seventh, relief pitcher Matthew Martinez gave up a walk to Taylor. A miscommunication with Tony Lira allowed Rispoli to reach on an infield single. After throwing out Menzel at first, Arizona intentionally walked Marshall, loading the bases. Maclain Roberts replaced Martinez after Martinez walked Dalena on six pitches, bringing in another run for the Huskies.
Roberts minimized the damage to one run, striking out the next two batters.
At the top of the ninth, Samuel Round hit Rispoli, who stole second on a wild pitch during Menzel’s at-bat. A few pitches later, Menzel singled to right center, putting runners at the corners.
The Huskies tacked on their fourth run with Dalena reaching on fielder’s choice to second. Novitske’s throw home was far right, preventing Sylvester from making the tag on Rispoli.
Round walked Wachter, loading up the bases for UConn. Andrew Jacobs Jr. was brought in to relieve Round after only pitching 2/3 of an inning. Jacobs got out of the bases-loaded jam, striking out Anthony Belisario.
“Coach Jerry Kindall was very succinct in what he used to tell us, ‘Disappointed is okay, we just can’t let them get discouraged.’ They’re very close to two words, but there’s a huge difference,” Hale said about how he’s keeping his team positive through this tough start. “When you get discouraged, it’s tough to bring them back, but disappointed is okay.”
Arizona will to try Saturday at 6 p.m. to get its first win of the season when it faces UConn in the third game of the series at Hi Corbett. The game will be televised on ESPN+.
