On to BYU!
As the only in-state nonconference opponent, heck the only non-league foe within 250 miles, Grand Canyon has become a frequent midweek matchup for Arizona. The teams have met at least twice every season since 2017, with four meetings last year.
The Antelopes won the last three of those in 2024, including in the NCAA Tournament, and their home win over the UA on April 1 made it four in a row.
Arizona finally got payback on Tuesday night, beating GCU 14-4 in seven innings at Hi Corbett Field.
“This has become a really good rivalry,” said UA coach Chip Hale, who is 5-7 against the ‘Lopes. “They have elite players, they have guys in the big leagues that we played against a couple years ago. I’ve joked around, man, should we play these guys? But it helps.”
Arizona (26-10) scored in every inning but the first, going up 3-0 in the 2nd on a bases-clearing double by Aaron Walton. Garen Caulfield’s sacrifice fly scored Walton with the walk-off run in the 7th, part of a 3-run frame.
Andrew Cain had two triples—the first UA player to do that since Donta Williams in 2019—and drove in two while Maddox Mihalakis and Mason White each had three hits. The Wildcats had 13 hits, drew six walks and stole four bases, most since last March.
But Arizona also saw left fielder Easton Breyfogle, who has dealt with leg injuries the last month, exit after one inning, which forced a number of defensive changes. Hale said the move was precautionary and the hope was he’d be able to play this weekend at BYU.
Raul Garayzar went the first 3.1 innings, allowing an unearned run and no hits with two walks and three strikeouts. He lowered his ERA to 2.45.
“I think we found a niche for Raul,” Hale said. “He throws a number of pitches. The cutter has been big for him, the changeup has been big for him. And then starting these midweeks has helped him, too. I think that’s something we’ve kind of settled on. He’s going to be our guy.”
Matthew Martinez got the win, striking out two of the five batters he faced in 1.1 innings.
Arizona heads to Provo for three games against BYU (18-16, 5-10 Big 12), starting Thursday afternoon. It will be the UA’s first game there since 2016.