LAFAYETTE, La. – After winning the 2012 College World Series, Arizona needed four years to get back to the postseason. The Wildcats then had to endure a five-hour weather delay Friday.
It was worth the wait.
Nathan Bannister pitched seven shutout innings, and three UA batters hit home runs as Arizona defeated Sam Houston State 7-3 in the opening game of the Lafayette Regional at M.L. “Tigue” Moore Field.
No. 2 seed Arizona will play the winner of Friday’s (very) late game between host and No. 1 seed Louisiana Lafayette and No. 4 seed Princeton. The winners’ bracket game is slated for 5 p.m. MST Saturday, weather permitting.
It was business as usual for Bannister, who emerged as Arizona’s Friday starter and an All-Pac-12 performer this season. Bannister allowed four hits and three walks. He struck out four batters.
The way Arizona (39-20) scored its first five runs was highly unusual. All five came via the long ball – the Wildcats’ first three-homer game of the season.
First baseman Ryan Aguilar landed the first blow, launching a three-run shot to right-center in the bottom of the fourth. Designated hitter JJ Matijevic immediately followed with a solo homer to right off Sam Houston State starter Heath Donica to make it 4-0.
With two outs in the bottom of the sixth, suddenly hot-hitting third baseman Bobby Dalbec made it 5-0 with a towering drive to right-center. It was the talented junior’s first home run since April 26.
Arizona added two more runs in the sixth through more traditional means. Jared Oliva tripled to right-center to score Cesar Salazar. Louis Boyd then pushed a bunt single up the first-base line to score Oliva.
The Wildcats and Bearkats (41-21) were supposed to start at 11 a.m. MST, but lightning and subsequent rain forced the delay. Arizona left the stadium and retreated to its hotel before returning a little less than two hours before the first pitch.
