After six walk-off victories in their last 10 home games, including Sunday’s 7-6 victory over Washington State in 11 innings, Arizona can certainly be called the Cardiac Cats or how about the Walk-off Wildcat Wonders?
Salpointe graduate Mason Whitewas once again a walk-off wonder on Sunday, lining a single up the middle with the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the 11th.
White delivered a decisive home run in extra innings against UCLA at Hi Corbett Field three weeks ago, a weekend in the Wildcats swept the Bruins all by walk-off wins.
Arizona’s walk-off Sunday secured its fourth straight three-game weekend sweep, the first time they have accomplished the feat since 1998 under Jerry Kindall.
The Wildcats (24-14) are in first place in the Pac-12 with a 13-5 record following their third straight sweep of a conference opponent (UCLA, Cal and Washington State).
Their 10-game winning streak in the Pac-12 is a program record.
Sundays are for SWEEPS @masonwhite24 gives the Cats a 10th straight Pac-12 win!! pic.twitter.com/7XMfvWgVtA
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) April 21, 2024
Oregon State and Oregon lost Sunday at California and Stanford, respectively, which means Arizona’s Pac-12 lead is now two games over Oregon (27-12, 11-7).
Oregon State (30-9, 10-7) is 2 1/2 games back.
Utah (25-12 10-7) can tie Oregon at second place with a win over visiting Washington on Sunday night.
Only 12 conference games remain in the regular season for Arizona — four three-game series at Washington (next weekend), against Stanford at home (May 3-5), at Utah (May 10-12) and finishing against Oregon State at home (May 16-18).
Arizona’s 11th-inning rally Sunday was sparked by Tommy Splaine, who was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. Blake McDonaldsacrificed Splaine to second before Brendan Summerhillwas intentionally walked and Garen Caulfiendwas also hit by a pitch.
With the bases loaded and one out for White, he lined the ball up the middle on a 3-1 count, bringing Splaine home and causing the dugout to empty toward White rounding first base in another wild walk-off celebration.
Mason went 2 for 5 with two RBIs.
Summerhill was 3 for 4 with a run and two RBIs. He extended his on-base streak to 32 games.
Arizona right-handed starter Cam Waltydid not factor in the decision after working six innings and limiting the Cougars to just three runs on six hits while striking out six.
Right-handers Dawson Netzand Tony Pluta worked the 10th and 11th innings for Arizona, respectively.
They combined to shut out Washington State (18-20, 7-14) while the defense converted two double plays behind them.
Caufield was instrumental turning double plays at second base in the eighth and 10th innings after Washington State’s leadoff batter reached base.
Pluta (1-0) earned his first career win after his scoreless inning.
Before playing at Washington on Friday at 6:05 p.m. to start a three-game series, Arizona will play at New Mexico State on Wednesday at 5 p.m.
PAC-12 BASEBALL STANDINGS
| Team | Rec | Pct | GB | Ovr | Pct | Stk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
ARIZONA
|
13-5 | .722 | — | 24-14 | .632 | W3 |
|
Oregon
|
11-7 | .611 | 2 | 27-12 | .692 | L1 |
|
Oregon State
|
10-7 | .588 | 2.5 | 30-9 | .769 | L4 |
|
Utah
|
10-7 | .588 | 2.5 | 25-12 | .676 | L1 |
|
USC
|
10-7 | .588 | 2.5 | 19-21 | .475 | L1 |
|
California
|
11-10 | .524 | 3.5 | 24-14 | .632 | W8 |
|
Stanford
|
9-9 | .500 | 4 | 17-20 | .459 | W1 |
|
Arizona State
|
10-11 | .476 | 4.5 | 20-21 | .488 | W3 |
|
Washington
|
6-11 | .353 | 6.5 | 13-18-1 | .406 | W1 |
|
Washington State
|
7-14 | .333 | 7.5 | 18-20 | .474 | L3 |
|
UCLA
|
6-15 | .286 | 8.5 | 13-24 | .351 | L5 |
Sunday’s scores
ARIZONA 7, Washington State 6 (11)
California 4, Oregon State 3
Stanford 10, Oregon 7
Arizona State 13, UCLA 1
Sacramento State 5, USC 4
Washington at Utah, late
Next Pac-12 series (Friday-Sunday)
ARIZONA at Washington
UCLA at Utah
California at Stanford
Oregon at Oregon State
USC at Arizona State
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