Big 12 Tournament hopes were still a real possibility for Arizona baseball Friday night, but following its 7-4 loss to Houston in the series opener those hopes have dwindled.
The Wildcats (17-31, 7-18 Big 12) more than likely needed to sweep the series against the Cougars (21-28, 5-20 Big 12) to get closer to Big 12 Tournament hopes becoming a reality. They now find themselves behind the eight ball.
“I’m frustrated,” said head coach Chip Hale. “I told them that we’re going to play the right way to the end.
I don’t care if we get in the tournament or not. I just want to make sure they understand what winning baseball is.”
Owen Kramkowski pitched 5.1 innings and gave up nine hits for all seven runs and only struck out two Cougars. In came Corey Kling to finish out the game. Kling allowed only four hits and struck out five batters.
“Wonderful job,” said Hale on Kling’s performance. “We’re in a situation now with Smith (Bailey) going down and (Benton) Hickman probably not gonna be able to pitch this weekend, where our bullpen is really short. (Kling) obviously will be off the rest of the weekend, but it leaves everybody else able to pitch and gave us a chance to win. We still had a chance tonight. So that’s a positive.”
Houston started the scoring early with a run in the first inning but Arizona responded with a run of its own. It was Andrew Cain coming home on a Tony Lira single.
It did not take long for the Cougars to take the lead back. Mathis Meurant had a chance to end the second inning but dropped a very easy pop up which allowed Houston to get all the way home from second.
Two more runs were added on in the third inning by Houston to put Arizona in a three run deficit. Once again the Wildcats responded with Nate Novistke coming home on a Beau Sylvester ground out.
After back to back scoreless innings, it was Houston who once again found the scoreboard in the sixth inning to put three runs on the board and the lead ballooned to five.
Signs of life finally showed from Arizona after four scoreless innings. A Novitske single followed by a Lira double got Novitske home. Then Lira got home on a Sylvester single to bring it back within three.
Unfortunately for Arizona, it was all in vain as it could not find three more runs in bottom of the ninth to at least tie the game. The Wildcats will now try and even the series Saturday for a Senior Night win.
“I want to honor those kids, especially the ones who’ve been here for the four or five years they’ve been here,” said Hale. “It’s a special night for them. So we’ll do a good job of honoring them pregame, and then we’ll move on and win a ball game.”
It will be junior RHP Luc Fladda (3-2, 5.66) starting for Arizona.
