Arizona baseball’s 14-game home winning streak was snapped by Baylor in the series opener with an 8-5 loss. The game featured Collin McKinney facing his former team, starting strong with a quick three-up, three-down inning that included a strikeout. Arizona took an early lead in the first inning when Mason White hit a triple and Adonys Guzman drove him in with a single, giving the Wildcats a 1-0 advantage.
However, McKinney struggled in the second inning, walking four of the next six batters, leading to a bases-loaded situation. Baylor capitalized with a two-run single by Tyriq Kemp, taking a 2-1 lead. McKinney was replaced by Casey Hintz, who recorded a strikeout and a lineout to end the inning. Arizona’s offense faltered in the third with three straight ground outs, but Baylor was unable to extend its lead in the top of the inning.
Arizona responded in the bottom of the third, with a double by TJ Adams and a right-field line hit by Garen Caulfield, scoring Adams to tie the game. Baylor quickly regained the lead in the fourth with a single by Kemp and a home run by JJ Kennett, making it 4-2. Arizona kept fighting, but after a brief rally in the fourth, including a run from Easton Breyfogle’s single, they still trailed by one.
In the sixth, Baylor extended its lead after a single by Travis Sanders brought in Jack Little, and later, Baylor added more runs to make it 7-4. Arizona attempted to respond but couldn’t capitalize, despite White’s continued effort to get on base. In the seventh, Baylor scored again, with a double by Johnson bringing in Cortlan Castle, solidifying their lead at 8-4.
Head coach Chip Hale expressed frustration after the loss, stating that the team struggled in several areas, including pitching and hitting. Arizona will look to bounce back in the second game of the series, aiming to avoid another loss and to improve their performance both offensively and on the mound.
