Arizona's baseball team held its first practice of the fall on Thursday. By the end of the night, the Wildcats were playing their first game.
The Wildcats participated in the Mexican Baseball Fiesta and took on the Naranjeros de Hermosillo in Game 2 of opening night. The action ended in a 2-2 draw.
Arizona coach Jay Johnson said he enjoyed the atmosphere at Kino Sports Complex and was grateful for the opportunity. Thursday's game marked Arizona's first Mexican Baseball Fiesta game since the showcase's founding eight years ago. The weekend-long series pits Mexican Winter League teams against each other.
“What a really good event for our community. And our team, being a big part of the community – it was awesome to be a part of it,” Johnson said. “It was a great experience. Kind of get the uniforms for the first time, played a lot of guys that played their first Division I baseball tonight and a lot of positives. Especially on the mound.”
The Wildcats got the early lead in the first thanks to consecutive doubles by Cameron Cannon and freshman Austin Wells, but the Naranjeros tied it in the third when a double by Fernando Perez scored Norberto Obeso, who had reached base on a walk.
A lone home run by Blake Paugh in the fifth gave Arizona the lead once more, but the Naranjeros responded in the eighth when Fausto Osorio made it safely home on a wild pitch after having blasted a triple to center field wall.
Johnson wasn’t fazed by the score, and instead focused on the good.
“You know, I think it was a good step,” Johnson said. “A lot of these guys, it was a three-year effort to recruit them. So, to finally have them here, it’s a real positive.”
Arizona right fielder Ryan Holgate (42) comes sliding in to snare a sinking liner by Hermosillo's Jorge Flores for the first out in the bottom of the first inning and the Wildcats up 1-0 in their game in the Mexican Baseball Fiesta, Thursday, October 4, 2018, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona's skipper went with the popular "opener" strategy, and threw a new pitcher new inning. Tucson High product George Arias Jr., the son of former Pueblo High School, Pima College, UA and big-league standout George Arias, to start the game.
Arias, who struck out two of his three batters, felt it was an honor to be able to play in the Fiesta on its opening night.
“It’s always been an honor to be able to pitch out in front of a crowd and to be able to wear this uniform with pride is a very neat experience and I think it’s something I’ll remember,” Arias said.
The Wildcats’ pitching staff combined to allow four hits, while walking five.
Johnson said he decided on using fresh pitchers each inning because it wouldn’t make sense to run someone for an extended period of time. He also wanted to give as many of his players an opportunity to experience a competitive environment.
Hermosillo mascot Beto Coyote tries to get the crowd to do The Wave during their game against the University of Arizona in the Mexican Baseball Fiesta, Thursday, October 4, 2018, Tucson, Ariz.
“I had no expectation for the game, good or bad. For us, it was real developmental piece,” Johnson said. “So, it was really positive to see some of the returners who made some strides in their strength and those types of things. And really, the pitching was a positive. I think there’s a lot they can build off and get better from.”
Inside pitch
• Cesar Salazar made his return to Tucson, this time in a bright orange jersey. The former Arizona catcher, who was drafted by the Astros in the seventh round, was instead playing with his hometown team – the Naranjeros.
“It was awesome. It felt a little different, especially because I was playing against UA, but it was fun,” Salazar said.
Even though Salazar went 0 for 3 and was struck out the last two times at bat, he believes it bodes well for the future of Arizona baseball — especially on the mound.
“I knew they had a pretty solid team, so it was a good game,” Salazar said. “I enjoyed it a lot and learned a lot. It shows that UA is doing a great job with those guys.”
