Arizona's Tony Bullard, left, beats the pickoff throw behind USC second baseman Bryce Martin-Grudzielanek during the first game of a Pac-12 doubleheader at Hi Corbett Field on Friday, May 19, 2023.
USCโs Nick Lopez (not pictured) drops a drive in front of Arizona right fielder Emilio Corona that was called a catch and ended up a double play for the Wildcats in the eighth inning of the first game at Hi Corbett Field on Friday, May 19, 2023. The original call of out on a fly ball was upheld upon review.
The Arizona Wildcats left no doubtย โ they're going to the Pac-12 Tournament.
Arizona clinched a berth in next week's conference tourney by sweeping a doubleheader against USC on Friday. The Wildcats won the opener 13-4 and the nightcap 6-3.
Those resultsย โ coupled with Washington State's second straight loss to Stanford โ mean Arizona can finish no worse than eighth in the conference standings. The top nine finishers qualify for the Pac-12 Tournament.
The Wildcats improved to 30-22 overall, 12-17 in the Pac-12. They have won four games in a row and are 23-7 at Hi Corbett Field.
Arizona played error-free baseball against USC (32-22-1, 16-13) in the doubleheader. The Wildcats clubbed six home runsย โ including two apiece by Emilio Corona and Tony Bullardย โ and received solid pitching from both starters and relievers.
In Game 2, the Trojans trimmed the Wildcats' 4-0 lead to 4-3 with a three-run sixth inning. Solo homers by Corona and Bullard in the bottom half of the sixth pushed the advantage to 6-3.
Bullard, who's been on a tear since returning from a concussion in early April, finished the doubleheader going 6 for 7 with two home runs, five runs scored and four RBIs.
Bradon Zastrow improved to 5-5, allowing two runs on four hits in five innings. Trevor Long threw two hitless innings to earn his fifth save of the season.
Arizona concludes the regulars season with Game 3 against USC at 6 p.m. Saturday. Bullard will be among the seniors honored before the game.
Photos: Arizona Wildcats take the opener in a double-header against USC at Hi Corbett Field, Pac 12 baseball