TUCSON, Ariz. – The University of Arizona baseball team is gearing up to face off against #25 Arizona State this weekend for a key Big 12 series at Hi Corbett Field.
With Arizona at a record of 9-19 (2-7) and ASU at 21-8 (5-4), this matchup is crucial for both teams. The games start Thursday at 6 p.m., with Thursday and Friday’s games available on ESPN+. Saturday’s game will be on ESPN2.
The rivalry between the Wildcats and Sun Devils goes back a long way, having met 501 times since 1907. Arizona leads the series 265-235. Earlier this season, ASU secured a 10-4 win in Tempe on March 10.
Arizona has faced challenges against ranked opponents this season, dropping their games to #12 Oregon State and #13 West Virginia. Despite these setbacks, players like Carson McEntire, who recently had a 2-for-4 game with three RBIs, are showing promise. McEntire leads the team with six home runs this season.
Another standout player is Tony Lira, who leads the Wildcats with a .357 batting average and 41 hits. He’s been consistent, hitting in 15 of the last 17 games. Additionally, true freshman Caleb Danzeisen boasts an impressive .473 on-base percentage, reaching base in 20 of 22 games.
As for pitching, Arizona’s starters are making an impact. Luc Fladda and Smith Bailey are in the top 11 of the Big 12 in ERA, showing their prowess on the mound.
This weekend’s games will be significant. Arizona could use a win to lift their spirits after a tough losing streak where they struggled to hit effectively. In their last four games, they’ve hit just .150 collectively. But before that, they had a decent stretch, hitting .303 over 15 games.
The Wildcats will be looking to recover against ASU, who’s had a strong season, placing third in the Big 12 and seventh nationally in batting average (.329). ASU’s Landon Hairston is a player to watch, holding a .469 average and ranking among the national leaders in home runs.
This matchup not only showcases a crucial rivalry but also highlights emerging talent on both squads, setting the stage for an exciting weekend of baseball.
