Arizona coaches mull altering starting rotation as NCAA opener vs. Grand Canyon approaches

Now that they know where they’re playing and whom they’re facing in the NCAA Tournament, Arizona’s coaches can turn their attention to a critical question:

Should they keep the starting rotation the same or rearrange the pieces?

Recent results suggest that a change is in order. The way the schedule lines up might make it easier to pull off.

Left-hander Jackson Kent has been at the front of Arizona’s rotation all year. He pitched well enough to earn a spot on the All-Pac-12 Team. But Kent has struggled down the stretch; his ERA has ballooned from 2.41 to 4.08 over his last four outings.

Meanwhile, Clark Candiotti and Cam Walty have maintained their effectiveness. Both have authored quality starts in three of their past four appearances.

If Arizona were to move Candiotti to the top of the rotation for Friday night’s Tucson Regional opener against Grand Canyon, he’d be pitching on normal regular-season rest — six days between starts. Walty would be on the same timeline if he were to pitch Saturday vs. Dallas Baptist or West Virginia.

In that scenario, Kent and pitching coaches Kevin Vance and John DeRouin would have extra time to figure out what’s gone wrong lately for the redshirt sophomore.

Head coach Chip Hale has suggested fatigue could be a factor for Kent, who’s thrown a career-high 86 innings — more than double last year’s 41. If so, it has revealed itself more in imprecise location — especially with his best pitch, the changeup — than a drop in velocity. Kent has allowed five home runs in his past three outings after yielding just two in his first 12.

“I think some of it is confidence,” Hale said. “We watched him pretty carefully in the conference tournament against Cal. There wasn’t the conviction that he’s had most of the year.

“Kevin and John will look at some video, and Kevin will get him to get back to where he was. His arm’s good. The velocity was fine. He just has to execute pitches better.”

Fresh bullpen

The way the coaching staff set up the pitching for last week’s Pac-12 Tournament — and the length Candiotti and Walty provided — has positioned Arizona’s bullpen for success this weekend.

Arizona designated its Pac-12 opener last Wednesday as a “bullpen game.” Five relievers were used, and none threw more than 34 pitches.

Although he allowed seven runs vs. Cal the next day, Kent lasted five innings. None of the three relievers who followed him pitched the day before — and only one, Casey Hintz, threw the next day, when Candiotti went seven innings vs. Stanford.

Walty threw eight innings in the Pac-12 Tournament championship game vs. USC on Saturday night. Closer Anthony “Tonko” Susac pitched the ninth on two days’ rest.

“Having a solid and robust starting rotation like that, that goes deep into games frequently, allows us to stay really fresh when other squads are pretty banged up right now,” said senior reliever Dawson Netz, who threw two innings in the UW game Wednesday. “So we’re all feeling really good.”

Weather or not

Playing at home carries multiple advantages for Arizona, which began its 2012 and ’21 runs to the College World Series at Hi Corbett Field.

But the impact could be mitigated this year.

GCU regularly comes down I-10 to play midweek games at Hi Corbett. Additionally, West Virginia played a three-game series at the “Juice Box” in February 2023. Only Dallas Baptist is completely unfamiliar with Hi Corbett’s massive outfield and the angles of the walls.

“I don’t think it’ll be as much of an advantage as it could be,” Hale said.

Still, as Hale noted, the Wildcats will get to sleep in their own beds and use their own weight room. Also, assuming the forecast is accurate, they won’t have to deal with any weather delays.

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“I haven’t played in a regional where there hasn’t been a weather delay,” veteran second baseman Garen Caulfield said. “So I’m hoping that the Tucson Regional provides some good weather for us.”

The forecast calls for high temperatures around 100 degrees with a 0% chance of precipitation throughout the weekend.

The Wildcats endured delays each of the past two years in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and Coral Gables, Florida. Their second game last year started six hours later than scheduled.

“That was crazy,” Caulfield said. “Even going back two years ago to Miami, we were just sitting in their cages for hours, waiting to play, trying to stay ready. So I think there’s definitely a benefit in playing here and hopefully not having to deal with anything like that.

“But whatever happens, whatever is thrown at us, we’ll be ready.”

Point of pride

Shortly before the NCAA selection show began Monday morning, Hale gathered the players in the training room adjacent to the clubhouse. His message?

“I’m just really proud of them,” Hale said later. “At some point, whether you’re a head coach of a college team, a high school team, a manager in the major leagues, you step back and just let these guys go. They just played good baseball.

“Against USC, things didn’t start the way we wanted them to. We were no-hit for six innings and didn’t play great defense. These guys just find a way. So whatever the situation, I trust them.”

Added Netz: “He just wanted us to know how special this is, to really cherish this moment. The season’s flown by, and he’s been so supportive. He’s really let us older guys take the reins and figure out what we want this squad to look like and how we want to play.”

Corona hopeful

Hale remains optimistic that starting right fielder Emilio Corona will be able to return to full-time duty for the NCAA Tournament.

Corona injured his right hand when he was hit by a pitch against Oregon State on May 16. He has been limited to pinch-running duty since.

Corona will be part of the 27-man roster regardless of whether he can swing a bit or play in the field.

“He’s just too much of a difference maker on the bases,” Hale said.

Hale inserted Corona in the ninth inning against USC for catcher Blake McDonald, who had singled. Corona stole second base and scored the winning run on Tommy Splaine’s base hit.

“My hand’s feeling good,” said Corona, who still had the hand wrapped Monday. “I’m gonna just keep practicing every day this week ... and hopefully get better day by day.”

No. 4 outfielder TJ Adams (shoulder) hasn’t played since May 10. Freshman Easton Breyfogle, who’d been starting in left field, returned to the lineup in right for the Pac-12 Tournament after missing 3½ weeks because of a hamstring injury.

Photos: Arizona walks off USC 4-3 for the last Pac 12 baseball tournament championship