It took two bloopers to awaken the Arizona offense from its early-season slumber.
From that point forward, the Wildcats finally looked like the team they were projected to be.
Sparked by those fortunate hits, Arizona turns its fortunes around and defeated New Mexico 10-0 in seven innings Tuesday afternoon in the home opener at Hi Corbett Field.
The Wildcats registered their first victory after going 0-3 in Arlington, Texas, over the weekend, including a pair of double-digit defeats.
“It was tough for the kids,” UA coach Chip Hale said. “So really we just wanted to trust the process, do what you do, whether it’s pitching, hitting, defense, baserunning. Don’t try to do too much. Just be who you are. And I thought they did a really good job of that.”
The Wildcats’ 10 runs were more than they scored in three games in Arlington. They were more than enough to support a four-man pitching effort led by third-year freshman Kenan Elarton.
Arizona pitcher Kenan Elarton throws in his first college start against New Mexico in the first inning of their game Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, at Hi Corbett Field.
Elarton, a member of the 2022 signing class, missed his first two seasons at Arizona after having Tommy John surgery in 2023. He pitched the first three innings against the Lobos and did not allow a run. He yielded three singles, struck out three and did not walk a batter. Elarton exited after throwing 44 pitches.
“Coming back from Tommy John and doing the things he did is super cool,” Hale said. “He was not voted one of our captains, but he could very easily have been. He's a leader. Every day he's in there early, doing his work, doing his rehab, great student, great in the weight room. He's a superstar, in my mind. So I'm just happy to get him out there and just keep building on it.”
Elarton’s mother, Laurie, was in attendance to watch her son’s college debut. His father, Scott, pitched for 10 seasons in MLB from 1998-2008.
“It was awesome,” Elarton said. “Just taking it all in, seeing the fans and everything, all the support, my guys in the dugout cheering for me. It meant a lot to get back out there.”
Arizona’s Garen Caulfield slides home after the throw got away from the third baseman on his two-run triple in the fourth inning against New Mexico at Hi Corbett on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025. The play put the Wildcats up 3-0 in their first home game of the season.
“It's really special,” he added. “I can't wait to go see the texts I got from my family and stuff like that. It’s definitely a day to remember for me.”
Another right-hander, Carson Johnson, also made his college debut, following Elarton with a scoreless fourth inning. Johnson was credited with the win.
The long-awaited rally in the bottom of the fourth ended a string of 10 consecutive innings without a run. It began with Richie Morales’ looping double to right. Mason White then popped a ball down the left field line that New Mexico left fielder Jordy Oriach dove for but couldn’t corral.
Garen Caulfield drove them both in with a line-drive triple to right-center. Caulfield scored on an error to make it 3-0.
“Our guys stuck with it,” Hale said. “A couple funky balls fall in for us, and then here it goes, the floodgates open. Sometimes that's what you need.”
Following the bloops, Adonys Guzman provided the blast. The junior catcher’s two-run homer to left in the fifth bumped Arizona’s lead to 5-0. Brendan Summerhill’s two-run triple to left in the sixth made it 8-0. Maddox Mihalakis’ RBI single in the seventh clinched the run-rule walk-off.
Arizona outfielder Brendan Summerhill watches the ball sail into the outfield on his two-RBI triple in the sixth inning against New Mexico on Feb. 18, 2025, at Hi Corbett Field.
“Hitting is contagious,” Guzman said. “Once those first ones fell, we got a little more comfortable. Took a deep breath, and the result showed it.”
Inside pitch
– White, Caulfield, Mihalakis and Guzman each had multiple hits. White went 3 for 4 with two runs scored. Caulfield went 2 for 4 with four RBIs. Mihalakis went 2 for 4. Guzman went 2 for 3.
– Right-hander Garrett Hicks, a transfer from Pima Community College, followed Elarton and Johnson with two hitless innings. Hicks has allowed one run in four innings this season.
– Right-hander Raul Garayzar pitched a perfect inning in the seventh. Garayzar has yet to allow a run in four innings after struggling last season (11.12 ERA).
– Arizona continues its homestand with a three-game series against San Diego starting at 6 p.m. Friday.
Photos: Arizona opens at home with a 10-0 run-rule win over New Mexico, NCAA baseball
Arizona’s Garen Caulfield (1) slides home after the throw got away from the the third baseman on his two-RBI triple in the fourth inning against New Mexico, Tucson, Ariz., February 18 2025. The play put the Wildcats up 3-0.
Arizona’s Brendan Summerhill, right, swipes second under the tag of New Mexico shortstop Devon Dixon in the fifth inning of their game on Feb. 18, 2025, at Hi Corbett Field.
Arizona’s Mason White gestures into the Wildcat dugout after hitting a double in the fifth inning of their game against New Mexico on Feb. 18, 2025, at Hi Corbett Field.
Arizona righty Michael Hilker Jr. (31) gets in his band work along the right field line as the Wildcats prepare to open their home schedule against New Mexico, Tucson, Ariz., February 18 2025.
Arizona’s Aaron Walton (11) flips his bat after working a walk against New Mexico in the sixth inning of their game, Tucson, Ariz., February 18 2025.
Arizona outfielder Brendan Summerhill watches the ball sail into the outfield on his two-RBI triple in the sixth inning against New Mexico on Feb. 18, 2025, at Hi Corbett Field.
Arizona shortstop Mason White (24) comes up inches short of on a shot up the middle by New Mexico hitter Cooper Brass (2) in the third inning of their game, Tucson, Ariz., February 18 2025.
Arizona pitcher Carson Johnson (13) takes a moment before his first throw in relief against New Mexico in the fourth inning of their game, Tucson, Ariz., February 18 2025.
Arizona pitcher Carson Johnson (13) takes the throw to nip New Mexico batter Jordy Oriach (10) at first in the fourth inning of their game, Tucson, Ariz., February 18 2025.
Arizona shortstop Mason White (24) flips to second baseman Garen Caulfield (1) for a fielder’s choice to end the New Mexico half of the forth inning of their game, Tucson, Ariz., February 18 2025.
Arizona pitcher Kenan Elarton throws in his first college start against New Mexico in the first inning of their game Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, at Hi Corbett Field.
Arizona second baseman Garen Caulfield (1) tracks down a roller to his right from New Mexico batter Jordy Oriach (10) in the sixth inning of their game, Tucson, Ariz., February 18 2025.
Arizona reliever Raul Garayzar comes on in the sixth inning to face New Mexico on Feb. 18, 2025, at Hi Corbett Field.
Arizona runner Mason White slides home with a Wildcat run as he scores from first on an RBI double by Garen Caulfield in the seventh inning of their game against New Mexico on Feb. 18, 2025, at Hi Corbett Field.
Arizona infielder Maddox Mihalakis, right, gets a pat from third base coach Toby DeMello after his single plated the final two scores to run-rule New Mexico 10-0 in the seventh inning of their game Feb. 18, 2025, at Hi Corbett Field.
Arizona’s Nate Novitske (47) tries a tricky move with a ball as the Wildcats wait to take the field in their home opener against New Mexico, Tucson, Ariz., February 18 2025.
Arizona coach Chip Hale makes some last-minute adjustments to the dugout lineup card just before first pitch against New Mexico on Feb. 18, 2025, at Hi Corbett Field.
Arizona coach Chip Hale throws batting practice to the Wildcats before they face New Mexico in their home opener Feb. 18, 2025, at Hi Corbett Field.
