LUBBOCK, Texas — Despite leading the league in six offensive categories, Arizona Wildcats junior first baseman JJ Matijevic did not win the Pac-12 Player of the Year award. In voting conducted by the conference’s coaches and revealed Thursday, Oregon State sophomore shortstop Nick Madrigal received that honor.
Matijevic did earn the title of batting champion after hitting .389 with 10 home runs, 29 doubles and 64 RBIs. He was one of five Wildcats named All-Pac-12.
“I’m a little disappointed for JJ,” UA coach Jay Johnson said at a news conference previewing the Lubbock Regional, which begins Friday. “Those are Player of the Year numbers.
“If you ask maybe a different question — ‘Who do you not want to see coming to the plate?’ — every coach probably would have put his name.”
The other Arizona players to make the All-Pac-12 first team were senior pitcher JC Cloney, junior outfielder Jared Oliva, sophomore designated hitter Alfonso Rivas and sophomore catcher Cesar Salazar. Four players earned honorable-mention recognition: sophomore pitcher Cody Deason, junior pitcher Cameron Ming, freshman third baseman Nick Quintana and junior outfielder Cal Stevenson. Oliva, the Wildcats’ center fielder, made the All-Defensive team.
Oregon State, the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament, dominated the league’s annual awards. Madrigal also was named Defensive Player of the Year. Luke Heimlich received the Pitcher of the Year Award, and Pat Casey was named Coach of the Year for the fifth time. Six Beavers made the All-Pac-12 team.
“You’re looking at one of the greatest seasons in the history of college baseball,” Johnson said. “To go 27-3 in our league, I’ve never heard of anything like that. For them to win all the awards is really not all that surprising.”
TBA vs. TBA
Two of the four coaches in the Lubbock Regional revealed their starting pitchers Thursday. Johnson and Sam Houston State counterpart Matt Deggs politely declined.
After Delaware’s Jim Sherman and Texas Tech’s Tim Tadlock announced their starters, Johnson and Deggs were asked if they wanted to follow suit.
“Go ahead,” Johnson said, turning toward Deggs, who was seated next to him on the dais.
“I haven’t decided,” Deggs replied.
Johnson said he would announce his starting pitcher on the day of the game “for the entire postseason.”
If form holds, left-hander Cloney will start for Arizona against right-hander Heath Donica. Donica is the Bearkats’ undisputed ace after going 9-1 with a 1.69 ERA. He started the regional opener against the UA last year.
No. 1 seed Texas Tech will start sophomore right-hander Davis Martin, who recently returned from injury. Delaware will go with junior righty Ron Marinaccio.
A reporter asked Sherman what advice he had for Marinaccio.
“Pretty simple,” Sherman said. “ ‘They’re good’ and ‘Good luck, Ron.’ ”
Car accident
Arizona equipment manager Zach Cook was involved in a car accident after leaving Rip Griffin Park on Thursday.
Cook remained at the stadium after Arizona practiced while the Wildcats’ bats underwent standard NCAA inspection. He left with a Texas Tech equipment manager, and their car got rear-ended. Several bats ended up on the street, and some were damaged. Replacements were to be shipped Friday morning.
Cook has a sore neck but otherwise escaped the accident uninjured.
Inside pitch
- Johnson said playing in Lubbock on March 7 provided a “great experience” for his team. The UA lost to the Red Raiders 13-1. Fortunately, young players have short memories. “Something in March might as well have been 10 years ago for my team,” Johnson said.
- A reporter posited to Tadlock that Delaware hadn’t played as strong as schedule as Texas Tech. “Is it OK to disagree?” Tadlock replied. “I would say they’ve played some good baseball teams. If you’re still playing at this time of year, you’ve got a bunch of guys that believe they can win.” Delaware ranked 210th in strength of schedule during the regular season, per WarrenNolan.com. Texas Tech ranked 24th.
