SCOTTSDALE — Arizona has slayed the dragon. And the Wildcats might have done enough to make the NCAA Tournament.
No. 8 seed Arizona defeated No. 1 seed Stanford, its postseason nemesis, 14-4 in the semifinals of the Pac-12 Tournament on Friday night at Scottsdale Stadium. The game ended via run rule after seven innings.
Arizona will face No. 6 seed Oregon in the championship game Saturday night. The winner will earn an automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament.
The Wildcats, despite their sub-.500 record in the Pac-12 during the regular season, might have earned a spot in the field of 64 regardless of what happens Saturday. Friday’s win over the Cardinal was the Cats’ second in a row over a team that will host a regional next weekend. Arizona (33-23) is 3-0 in the Pac-12 Tournament and has won seven of its past eight games.
“We knew we had this potential all year,” UA coach Chip Hale said. “So very proud of them.”
Hale exuberantly greeted Arizona athletic director Dave Heeke after addressing the team, the two exchanging handshakes and a quick bro-hug. The Wildcats then gathered to place an Arizona sticker on the Pac-12 Tournament bracket board.
“Don’t let the Cats get hot,” said star outfielder Chase Davis, who went 3 for 4 with six RBIs, including a grand slam.
Friday’s game turned in the second inning. Trailing 2-0, Arizona exploded for eight runs. The Wildcats send 13 batters to the plate and knocked out Stanford starter Quinn Mathews, the Pac-12 Pitcher of the Year. The inning began with a solo home run by Mason White and featured two hits and three RBIs from Tommy Splaine, who went 3 for 4 with two doubles and three runs scored.
Arizona pitcher Bradon Zastrow (with belt) celebrates with his teammates following the Wildcats' 14-4 win over Stanford in the Pac-12 Tournament semifinals at Scottsdale Stadium on Friday.
“This offense is crazy,” UA starting pitcher Bradon Zastrow said. “I give up two runs, and I know they’re gonna come back and score eight.”
The Wildcats have scored 12, 13 and 14 runs in their three Pac-12 Tournament victories.
Stanford’s offense is every bit as prolific as Arizona’s, and the Wildcats know better than anyone that no lead is safe. They squandered multiple leads the last time they faced the Cardinal — a game that ended with Arizona on top by a score of 21-20.
Asked if he could relax at any point during the game, Hale said: “No. You kidding me?”
Arizona created further separation with a five-run fifth — highlighted by Davis’ moonshot grand slam that extended the lead to 13-3. Davis’ 21st home run of the season landed on the roof of the Charro Lodge beyond the right field bullpen.
Davis’ homer essentially put the game on ice.
“That was a big blow for them,” Hale said of the Cardinal. “They know where they're going. They know they're hosting ... a regional. And we're battling and fighting our tails off.”
All the while, Zastrow kept the Stanford offense in check. After allowing a single and a home run to start the game, Zastrow faced relatively few high-leverage situations. He allowed four runs on 10 hits in seven innings with no walks and five strikeouts. He got credit for his first career complete game.
Arizona starter Bradon Zastrow pitches during the third inning of the Wildcats' game against Stanford in the Pac-12 Tournament semifinals at Scottsdale Stadium on May 26, 2023.
Zastrow threw 44 pitches out of the bullpen Tuesday and didn’t have his maximum velocity.
“It’s one of those things where you just go,” Zastrow said. “It’s win or go home. So I’m going to throw my best stuff, give it the best I’ve got to give the team a chance to win.”
The last out of the game was a comebacker to Zastrow. He fired the ball to first and raised his fist in the air, knowing he had helped put Arizona on the brink of a tournament title.
Zastrow then was given the honor of slapping the sticker on the bracket board. But he needed a do-over after placing it in the wrong spot.
“Yeah, I screwed it up the first time,” Zastrow said. “I put it where the championship (winner goes).”
“Foreshadowing,” Zastrow added with a laugh. “It was definitely on accident.”
It was one of the few mistakes Zastrow made all night.
Inside pitch
• Stanford had scored six or more runs in 17 consecutive games before Friday.
• No. 6 seed Oregon defeated No. 3 seed Washington 12-7 in the other semifinal earlier Friday.
• Kiko Romero had one RBI, giving him 85 for the season — one shy of Ron Hassey’s school record.
Arizona coach Chip Hale after the Wildcats’ 14-4 win over No. 1 seed Stanford in the semifinals of the Pac-12 Tournament at Scottsdale Stadium (video by Michael Lev / Arizona Daily Star)
