Mason White was the only offense for the Wildcats
Arizona has won series this season against West Virginia, ASU, TCU and Cincinnati, four of the top seven teams in the Big 12. A big part of taking those series has been winning the first game, something the Wildcats accomplished each time.
Against everyone else it’s been a different story.
The UA lost 8-6 to last-place Utah on Friday night at Hi Corbett Field, its fourth series-opening loss in the last five weekends. All have been to teams at or below .500 in conference play, with the only win coming last week against TCU.
“I think it might be an attitude thing,” said shortstop Mason White, who accounted for all of Arizona’s offense with a pair of 3-run home runs. “I think other teams play us with a fire, they’re trying to beat us like really badly. I think it might be just a mind shift and attitude, but hoping to change that in the near future for the postseason.”
White’s first homer came in the bottom of the 3rd inning, getting Arizona (33-16, 15-10 Big 12)within 4-3, and the second came in the 9th. Those were the only hits with runners on base for the Wildcats, who were 2 for 15 with men on.
Arizona lost its third straight game, its longest skid since starting the season 0-3, and fell into a tie for 5th place in the conference.
Utah (19-25, 6-19) jumped on UA starer Owen Kramkowski early, tagging him for three runs in the top of the 1st including a 2-run homer. He allowed seven runs (five earned) and seven hits in four innings.
“He just didn’t have it,” UA coach Chip Hale said. “We knew going in, this is a very veteran team. I don’t know why their record is what it is in league, but they played great out of league. They could hit. I mean, they got guys who hit us last year, they got guys who hit us two years ago. They got guys have been here for the whole time I’ve been here. They’re good hitters, and he just didn’t have tonight. And it’s okay, he had his clunker, and hopefully he’ll be better next week.”
Utah starter Colter McAnelly walked five and hit a batter over seven innings but only allowed four hits while striking out five. Many of his outs were recorded on swings against his fastball at the top of or out of the zone.
“We didn’t get on top of the ball,” Hale said. “He outpitched our hitters, we just didn’t have a good game.”
The two homers gave White 11 for the season and 40 for his career, tying and then passing former teammate Chase Davis for third place on the UA career list. He also walked twice, while Brendan Summerhill was 1 for 2 with three walks in his first start in right field at Hi Corbett since March 18.
Arizona will try to even the series Saturday at 6 p.m. PT with righty Collin McKinney (0-1, 3.49) on the mound. The Wildcats will also be trying to snap a 3-game skid, their longest since starting the season 0-3, as they’ve fallen into a tie for fifth place in the conference.
“We really want to host, and to host you’ve got to win a lot of baseball games,” White said. “We’re still on a mission to do that.”