“It’s not you, it’s me.”
This isn’t the Arizona Wildcats’ breakup line. It’s a daily mantra that helps keep them whole.
UA coach Jay Johnson preaches the idea of the nameless, faceless opponent. He stresses that if the Wildcats play their best they’ll have an excellent chance to win, no matter whom they’re playing against.
“They’ve done a good job of sticking to that,” Johnson said, “and this weekend we need much of the same.”
That’ll be Arizona’s mindset when No. 5 Oregon State comes to Hi Corbett Field for a three-game series starting Friday night. The Beavers (23-4, 6-3) are one of the best teams in the country.
They’re the reigning champions of the Pac-12. The series represents a chance for the Wildcats (17-10, 2-4) to alter the trajectory of their season.
But when the first pitch is thrown around 7 p.m. Friday, they’ll do their best to avoid thinking about any of that.
“I think we’re aware of who’s coming, and we’re aware of the players on their team,” senior relief pitcher Robby Medel said Thursday. “We need to go out and play our brand of baseball, and the results will show if we play it well.”
Arizona has played well lately — arguably better than Oregon State. The Wildcats have won five in a row and seven of their past eight. The Beavers lost two of three last weekend at Utah, which was 4-19 entering the series. OSU needed late-inning heroics to defeat Nevada at home Monday and Tuesday.
The biggest factor behind Arizona’s recent success is that its bats have come to life. The Wildcats have averaged 9.9 runs in their past eight games. They scored just three in the preceding series at Washington.
“We’ve shifted some pieces around and got some guys in places to be successful,” Johnson said. “Sometimes, whether we like it or not, it takes a little time to figure out that right combination. I think we’re a lot closer to that than when we started the year.”
Led by catcher Cesar Salazar (.384), six Wildcats are hitting above .300. Third baseman Nick Quintana isn’t far behind at .294.
“It comes down to belief in yourself,” Johnson said. “Sometimes, confidence leads to success. Other times, success leads to confidence. I think in this case some success has led to more confidence.”
But even when their confidence was waning, Arizona’s players didn’t alter their general approach.
They continued to show up early for extra work in the Terry Francona Hitting Center. Eventually, their labor bore fruit.
Although their confidence is higher now — and the media presence was greater Thursday than at any previous in-season practice — the Wildcats are sticking to their principles and their routine.
“The thing I find most comforting is I don’t see a change,” said Medel, who has yet to allow an earned run in 14ª innings this season. “I don’t see guys, even young guys, freaking out or doing anything different. It’s business as usual here. I like it. There’s no, ‘Oh my gosh, we’re playing Oregon State.’ It’s a good feeling.”
Still, it will be challenging for Arizona to keep its emotions in check Friday, at least at the start. A large crowd is expected, the series is being televised by Pac-12 Networks and the Wildcats know what’s at stake — even if they’re not supposed to pay it any mind.
A series victory over Oregon State would boost Arizona’s RPI, which sat at 85 entering Thursday night. It would put the Wildcats back in the mix in the conference after a disappointing start.
“The emotions will be there. We’re not going to lie,” Medel said. “But at the end of the day, we’re just playing our style of baseball. And if we play it well, it doesn’t matter who we’re lining up against.”
Inside pitch
- Neither team announced starting pitchers for the series. Junior right-hander Cody Deason (3-1, 1.62 ERA) is the logical choice to start Friday for Arizona after resting last weekend. OSU’s ace is senior left-hander Luke Heimlich, the 2017 Pac-12 Pitcher of the Year. Heimlich (7-0, 2.42) threw 30 pitches in relief Tuesday night.
- Oregon State’s star shortstop, Nick Madrigal, has been out since suffering a broken wrist Feb. 23. The timetable for his return was about six weeks, which coincides with this weekend’s series. Madrigal — the reigning Pac-12 Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year — was 14 for 25 with two home runs when he got hurt.
- The biggest difference between Arizona and Oregon State lies in their records in one-run games. The Wildcats are 2-8 in one-run games; the Beavers are 7-1. Then-No. 2 OSU swept Arizona last year, including a pair of one-run wins.
- Salazar has reached base in all 25 games in which he has played. Senior center fielder Cal Stevenson (.354) has a 20-game on-base streak. Sophomore second baseman Cameron Cannon (.362) is 17 for his last 35.
- Redshirt freshman Zach Sherman has been a pleasant surprise out of the UA bullpen. In his past three appearances, the right-hander has allowed one hit while striking out eight batters in five innings. “He’s got a live arm,” Medel said. “Good sink. Good splitter. Athletic guy. He works hard. It’s good to see him on the mound. He’s going to help this weekend and going forward.”
- Arizona ranks third in the conference and fifth in the country with a 2.67 ERA. Oregon State was tied with Cal for the league lead with a .311 batting average entering the Golden Bears’ game against Utah on Thursday.
