Arizona continued its momentum Tuesday night in a tune-up game ahead of its final Pac-12 series. The Wildcats used an eight-run fourth inning to help complete a dominant 14-3 victory over New Mexico State in a game that was shortened to seven innings because of a predetermined decision by the teams.
UA (36-13) walked off on a two-run single from backup catcher Kaden Hopson that brought in Kyson Donahue and Tyler Casagrande in the bottom of the seventh. NMSU (19-32) requested for the game to be played under a run rule as it prepares for its conference tournament and is coming off a four-game series.
Normally college baseball games do not operate with a run rule, but UA head coach Jay Johnson said it is a special rule this season to help teams better manage contests this year during the pandemic.
"This year in COVID they've (NCAA) given some options for 10-run rule after seven, and then the extra-inning rule you can start a runner on second base like they do in Major League Baseball which not one coach has wanted to do that," Johnson said of the odd finish to Tuesday's game. "I do not want to do that either. So, the 10-run rule is an option.Tonight was actually the first game that it had been in play for the entire season.
"New Mexico State was coming off a four-game series, which they're playing in the WAC this year, they're trying to get ready for their conference tournament, get their pitching in line and I think coach Kirby just believed that was in the best interest of their team. We wanna keep everybody healthy, and I felt that we could agree to that tonight."
Johnson said he was disappointed that he couldn't get some of Arizona's reserves more at-bats and experience, but that was his only issue with the decision that was made ahead of Tuesday's game.
The two teams went back and forth through the first three innings, but the UA bats came alive in the fourth thanks to a leadoff walk from third baseman Tony Bullard. He would cap the inning with a two-run single to bring in right fielder Ryan Holgate and second baseman Kobe Kato.
In between Bullard's two at-bats, the Wildcats would have four hits, including a two-RBI double from left fielder Mac Bingham, and two more walks plus an error from the Aggies' defense.
Bullard finished the game by going 2 for 3 with two RBIs, two runs and the walk that led off the big inning.
"I definitely feel a lot more comfortable," said Bullard, who has not been an everyday player for the Wildcats this season. "Consistently getting those ABs I feel like is what really progresses you. So, I feel much better now."
The sophomore from California now has 11 hits and eight RBIs in Arizona's last eight games.
The run support provided by Bullard and the rest of the offense helped Arizona's pitchers settle into a rhythm Tuesday night highlighted by right-hander Chandler Murphy, who earned his sixth win after pitching 3 1/3 innings. Murphy, who came on in relief after Riley Cooper opened the game, struck out six batters on 66 pitches.
"I think our bullpen has been stepping it up pretty well," Murphy said. "Our starters are obviously doing a great job.
"I just think that we're getting to the time of the season where we know we step it up a little bit, and be able to compete every pitch. So, I think that's what's really helping us out."
The Wildcats will now finish up their Pac-12 schedule with a road trip to Corvallis to face Oregon State. The regular season will come to an end the following weekend when UA hosts Dixie State.
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