After playing one of its best all-around games in the series opener, Arizona followed it up with a certified stinker. It’s a pattern that’s become all too familiar for the Wildcats.
“The season in a nutshell, just inconsistent and sloppy,” UA coach Chip Hale said after Friday’s 5-1 home loss to BYU at Hi Corbett Field. “We go through last night beautifully, then play like that.”
Arizona (16-25, 7-13 Big 12) committed four errors, its most in a game since May 2024, and had several other defensive plays
that should have been made. The Wildcats also managed just four hits, going 0 for 12 with runners on base.
“I don’t care if they’re freshmen or they’ve been here for four years, you can’t play a game like that and expect to win,” Hale said.
Owen Kramkowski dropped to 1-5 on the season, allowing three runs over 5.1 innings, but other than a few diving catches by center fielder Carson McEntire his defense didn’t help him. It was the opposite for BYU’s Garrison Sumner, who went 6.2 innings and when he wasn’t getting 21 swings and misses the Cougars (21-20, 10-10) made all the plays behind their pitcher.
The UA can still win its first home Big 12 series with a victory Saturday at noon. Smith Bailey will start for the first time since his 15-strikeout performance last weekend, and last season as the No. 3 starter he was on the mound for seven conference victories during the regular season as well as wins to clinch the Big 12 Tournament, Eugene Regional and Chapel Hill Super Regional.
“He’s gonna pitch a good game tomorrow, we’ve just got to be ready to play and and win the series,” Hale said.
