A Night of Resilience at the Ballpark
The University of Arizona baseball squad posted a 7‑4 victory over No. 21 Oklahoma State on Friday night, turning a modest early lead into a dramatic win that kept their series hopes alive.
Arizona struck first when leadoff batter Nate Novitske drew a walk, setting the stage for Andrew Cain to rip a triple to the center‑field wall in the third inning, a swing that sparked the offense.
The Cowboys answered in the sixth with a solo homer, and seized the lead in the seventh when a three‑run blast put them ahead, but the Wildcats were not rattled.
Meurant’s eighth‑inning leadoff solo homer knotted the game at 4‑4, and the momentum shifted again when Cain opened the ninth with a single and Maddox Mihalakis followed with a base hit, setting up Caleb Danzeisen’s sacrifice fly that nudged Arizona back in front.
Tony Lira added a 2‑for‑4 effort with a walk and a run, while Carson McEntire and Beau Syvlester chipped in with hits and RBIs, rounding out a multi‑dimensional attack that kept the pressure on.
Standout Performances
Mathis Meurant finished with three hits and three RBIs, matching his season high, while Andrew Cain reached base five times, contributing a triple and a single. Luc Fladda’s seven‑inning outing was equally pivotal, fanning 11 batters and limiting Oklahoma State to just four hits and two walks.
Caleb Danzeisen delivered the decisive sacrifice fly, and Corey Kling closed the game with a scoreless ninth, striking out two to seal the 7‑4 final. The combined efforts of the Wildcats’ lineup and pitching staff illustrated a balanced, resilient performance.