Arizona Baseball Wins 4th of Last 5 in 11-Inning Thriller

Arizona's baseball season looked all but over just weeks ago, but this young Wildcats team is proving they're not done yet.

The Wildcats defeated No. 20 ranked Arizona State 5-3 in 11 thrilling innings Monday night at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. It was their fourth win in five games, including two weekend victories over Big 12 preseason favorite TCU on the road.

"We're learning how to win in tough situations," Arizona coach Chip Hale said after the game. "We've had these same opportunities all year where we've let it slip through our fingers."

The breakthrough came in the top of the 11th inning when Andrew Cain smashed a double to drive in Tony Lira for the winning run. Cain then scored an insurance run on a throwing error, giving Arizona the cushion they needed.

The real drama came in the bottom of the 11th when closer Garrett Hicks faced Division I home run leader Landon Hairston with the tying runs on base. Hicks got Hairston to fly out on the first pitch, sealing the victory.

"I would be really mad because I'm a competitor, and I want to face one of the best hitters in the country," Hicks said when asked about possibly walking Hairston intentionally.

Arizona jumped ahead early with three home runs, including a mammoth 447-foot blast from Cain in the second inning. But ASU tied the game 3-3 in the eighth on a two-run homer, setting up the extra-inning thriller.

Why This Inspires

At 14-22, Arizona's record doesn't look like a tournament team. But what's happening with these Wildcats runs deeper than wins and losses.

This is a young team learning one of sports' most valuable lessons: how to believe in yourself when things get tight. They're discovering that past failures don't predict future results, and that persistence pays off.

Hicks has been particularly lights out, throwing over 11 consecutive scoreless innings with 12 strikeouts. Cain went 3 for 5 with a home run and two RBIs, stepping up exactly when his team needed him most.

The Wildcats sit just one game outside the top 12 in Big 12 standings that qualify for next month's conference tournament. Every remaining game matters, and they're finally playing like it.

"This is where it starts, with some momentum and knowing you can win these close games," Hale said. "We've won a couple of them, now we got to do it on Friday."

Arizona hosts Kansas State this weekend knowing that their longshot tournament dream is still alive.