It was a rough weekend in Lubbock for Arizona, dropping two of three at Texas Tech and seeing its chances of hosting a regional take a major hit. But coach Chip Hale said the vibe within the team coming back from that trip was like it had been swept.
The mood was a little better Tuesday, as the Wildcats got back in the win column with a 6-2 victory over New Mexico State at Hi Corbett Field. That gives the UA (31-13) momentum heading into a big home series against TCU.
In typical midweek game fashion, Arizona used eight pitchers with no one throwing more than two innings. Half of those arms were guys who usually only worked on the weekends, including Tony Pluta, who had to come on with bases loaded and one out in the top of the 9th to close it out for his 10th save.
The trio of Casey Hintz, Garrett Hicks and Hunter Alberini had only made six midweek appearances in 49 outings, but each had struggled recently and Hale said they needed to get right.
“We wanted to get them all back out there, and just get their their rhythm back,” he said. “They have not pitched like they can in the last two, three weekends. So we’re trying to get them some work.”
Hintz, who allowed 10 runs over his last three outings and picked up losses at BYU and Texas Tech, entered in the 5th with Arizona up 3-1 and immediately put two runners on base. After getting a talk from pitching coach Kevin Vance he recovered to retire the next three and keep the Wildcats ahead.
“I was just getting back out there, getting comfortable again with my stuff,” Hintz said. “I had a rough couple last outings, which happens, so just getting back out there, getting back in my process, getting comfortable.”
Hicks, who had allowed eight runs in his last three outings, followed with a 1-2-3 frame but Alberini struggled in the 9th, loading the bases before Pluta came in. The 10 saves are tied for 4th-most in single-season school history.
At the plate, Arizona only had seven hits but also drew four walks and had two hit batters. Aaron Walton, Maddox Mihalakis and Mathis Meurant each had two hits, with Meurant and Easton Breyfogle driving in two runs apiece.
The Wildcats continue their homestand Friday through Sunday against TCU, which at 14-7 is a game ahead of Arizona in the Big 12 standings.