Entering game two of the Texas Tech series on Saturday night in Hi Corbett Field, Arizona had lost four games in a row and struggled to manufacture enough runs to get the elusive win. In game one, the Wildcats stranding 16 runners including two bases loaded situations.
That all changed Saturday as the Wildcats were able to use an error free defense and a season high 17 hits to secure a 14-6 win over the Red Raiders to even the series. The 14 runs matched their season high set on March 8 against Fresno State.
Arizona did exactly what coach Chip Hale said on Friday night “We just have to keep pushing and get a win.”
All nine starters notched at least one hit including freshman Gavin Triezenberg who got his first career hit.
Texas Tech opened the game with a home run in the first inning that plated two, but Arizona answered back in the bottom of the inning after an Andrew Cain two RBI triple down the left field line tied the game.
In the second inning, the Red Raiders took a one run lead just to have Arizona put together a two-out rally with a Nate Novitske single, a Caleb Danzeisen triple and a Maddox Mihalakis double that gave the Wildcats a 5-3 lead at the end of the inning.
Arizona (8-14, 2-3) would increase that lead by one run in the third before another home run by the Red Raiders in the fourth scored two to make it a 6-5 game going into the bottom half of the inning.
The Wildcats would put together another two-out, three run inning to take a 9-6 lead in the bottom of the fourth.
With Tony Lira sitting at second base after hitting a double to start the inning, Roman Meyers hit a fly ball to left field that squeezed the line and stayed fair for an RBI double.
Jackson Forbes hit an RBI triple and then scored on a wild pitch.
Texas Tech (14-8, 3-2) would score one more run in the fifth but as had happened all game, Arizona struck back in the bottom of the inning.
A single by Lira brought Novitske home from second followed by a single from Cain that scored Danzeisen and Forbes hit a single that scored two more runs giving Arizona a 13-6 cushion.
Texas Tech was held scoreless the rest of the game while Arizona would score one more run in the seventh inning to give the Wildcats a 14-6 win.
Tony Pluta inducted into the Legends Plaza Wall of Fame
Tony Pluta was inducted into the Legends Plaza Wall of Fame prior to the start of Saturdays game.
Pluta, who was named 2025 NCBWA Stopper of the Year and earned numerous All-American honors saw the mound in 30 games, recorded 14 saves and had an ERA of 1.46.
He was named a 2026 Preseason First Team All-American by D1Baseball, Perfect Game, the NCBWA and was on the Golden Spikes Award Preseason Watch List before sustaining an injury before the start of the season that required Tommy John surgery that ended his season.
After his surgery Pluta has remained active by helping to coach the bullpen.
Tony Pluta’s induction into the Legends Plaza Wall of Fame and a photo of his name right below coach Andy Lopez. All curtesy of proud dad @JoePluta @AllSportsTucson pic.twitter.com/IbgM1xAGTB
— Lori Burkhart (@loriburkhart) March 22, 2026
Stats Roundup:
Saturday starter Smith Bailey pitched five innings allowing six runs (all earned), dished three strikeouts and threw a career-high 110 pitches to 27 batters faced with 68 strikes. Bailey earned his third win of the season.
Patrick Morris was nails on the mound after relieving Bailey in the sixth inning. He pitched three scoreless innings, allowing two hits. He faced 12 batters, threw 47 pitches with 31 strikes.
Corey Kling closed it out for Arizona striking out three and allowing one hit.
Novitske went 3-6 with two RBIs and two runs.
Cain had three hits on five at-bats with three RBIs and one run.
Forbes went 2-5 with three RBI and two runs.
Lira was 2-3 with one RBI and two runs.
Mihalakis went 2-5 with two runs and one RBI.
Meyers had two hits on four at-bats with one run and two RBIs.
Danzeisen, who has been the most consistent batter for Arizona, continued his stellar hitting went 1-3, with one RBI, two walks and had three runs.
Arizona and Texas Tech will meet up in a rubber match game on Sunday at 12:00 p.m. in Hi Corbett Field. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.
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