Arizona opened a critical series with a 6-3 win over TCU on Friday night at Hi Corbett Field.
Aaron Walton hit a pair of home runs and Mason White had a go-ahead 2-run single in the 6th for the Wildcats (32-13, 14-8 Big 12).
Sophomore right-hander Owen Kramkowski moved to the Friday starting slot from his usual Saturday slot, allowing three runs over five innings. The matchup did not feature Brendan Summerhill who was out with a grade one hamstring strain.
“We need Mason, we need Garen, Tommy, our older guys to really lead the way here,” head coach Chip Hale said of his Summerhill’s absence.
TCU (32-14, 14-8) was able to get on the board in the top of the 1st after a triple by Sawyer Strosnider, who scored on a groundout.
Arizona tied it in the 3rd on Walton’s solo homer to center.
TCU scored twice in the 4th to go up 3-1, but Arizona got one back in the bottom of the inning.
Following a strikeout and ground out, Tommy Splaine was able to salvage the fourth inning with a single. Easton Breyfogle followed with a double to right field, giving Splaine enough time to get home.
“Felt good, just trying to compete at the plate and just find any way on for the guys,” Splaine said about how he felt at the plate.
Kramkowski’s night would finish after five and to start the sixth inning Garrett Hicks would take over on the mound.
“Did a great job, it’s first time pitching on the Friday night against the number one pitcher on the other team, and he gave us five, he gave us everything he had,” Hale said of Kramkowski.
Arizona took its first lead in the bottom of the 6th. Splaine singled to start the rally, and with one out the Wildcats had runners on the corners.
White would then single to right field bringing in Splaine and Gunner Geile to give the Wildcats a 4-3 lead.
Throwing two scoreless innings Hicks’ night would be finished, and he earned the win. Julian Tonghini would come in for the 8th and work out of a jam with the tying run at third.
“Tonghini was a wild card there,” Hale said. “He came in and his stuff is so good. If he can execute pitches it’s very difficult to hit.”
Splaine would get his third single of the game and was promptly followed by yet another Walton home run to extend the Arizona lead to 6-3.
“He’s been fantastic and he’s strong, and if you hang one he’s going to get it out of here, so it’s very impressive,” Hale said of Walton.
Tonghini’s night also finished with the Wildcats still out in front as Tony Pluta would come in to try and close it out for Arizona.
TCU would get on first with a single, but a line out and double play made at first put Arizona one out away from a win.
A ground out would seal the win for the Wildcats and would also give Pluta his 11th save of the season. He leads the Big 12 in saves, and is now tied for second in single-season school history.
“We needed that, that was a great win, that was just one of the most complete games we’ve played all year and really proud of everyone,” Walton said.
Arizona got the win in front of a season-high 5,364 fans.
“It was awesome, we fed off that and if we can get that every game we’d love it,” Splaine said. “They’re the best fans, we believe, in the Big 12 and it shows. Big night tonight, and a big part of the win.”