The Arizona baseball team is 0-4 for the first time in program history after losing the home opener 3-1 to Omaha on Tuesday night at Hi Corbett Field.
The Wildcats opened last season 0-3 before rallying and reaching the College World Series. They started a winning streak in their home opener. They had no such luck this time.
Omaha was 0-3 entering Tuesday after getting swept at Arizona State. Mavericks starter Maddox Meyer, who had a 9.61 ERA last season, limited the Wildcats to two hits in six shutout innings while striking out 10 batters.
Arizona has scored just one run in each of the past two games and has struck out 57 times in four contests.
“Guys that we know and have had a history of hitting here are struggling,” UA coach Chip Hale said. “We’re missing balls that are in the zone. We’re striking out too much. For the most part, we’re just missing our pitch to hit.”
Down 3-0 entering the bottom of the ninth, Arizona finally scored on pinch hitter Jackson Forbes’ two-out RBI double in his first career at-bat. After Nate Novitske walked to load the bases, Maddox Mihalakis struck out to end the game. The senior third baseman went 0 for 5 with five strikeouts.
Arizona starting pitcher Jack Lafflam walks toward the mound during the home opener vs. Omaha on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, at Hi Corbett Field.
Arizona’s highest-rated freshman, right-hander Jack Lafflam, made his first career start. He flashed big-time stuff, including a fastball that touched 98 mph. But Lafflam walked three batters and hit one in 2⅓ inning before reaching his pitch count.
That hit batter proved costly. Lafflam had a 1-2 count on No. 9 hitter Drew Borner but grazed his elbow with an inside breaking ball. That loaded the bases for leadoff batter Chase Diggins, who lined a bases-clearing double just past Mihalakis down the third-base line.
Last year’s top recruit, Mason Russell, relieved Lafflam and struck out all five batters he faced. Russell had a 13.50 ERA in seven appearances as a freshman.
Senior right-hander Matthew Martinez followed with 2⅔ innings of scoreless relief. He has yet to allow a run in 5⅔ innings this season.
Right-handers Corey Kling and Garrett Hicks combined for 2⅓ additional shutout innings as the UA bullpen blanked the Mavericks over the final 6⅔ frames.
“The pitching was great," Hale said. "I thought the defense other than that play (the double that eluded Mihalakis) was fantastic. We’ll win a lot of games if we can play defense and pitch that way.
“Sometimes it’s a confidence factor. Get a win, and guys will loosen up a little bit.”
Arizona faces UConn in a four-game series starting Thursday at Hi Corbett.
Inside pitch
– Junior Easton Breyfogle made his season debut at DH after missing the first three games because of a shoulder injury. He went 2 for 4. Hale said Breyfogle could play in the outfield sometime during the UConn series.
– Second baseman Tyler Bickers sat out because of a sore left shoulder. He could be back Thursday.
– UA women’s triathlon coach Wes Johnson threw out the ceremonial first pitch. The triathlon team, which has won back-to-back national championships, was introduced during the second inning.
