ARLINGTON, Texas- The 2025 Shriners Children’s College Showdown was not kind to the Arizona Wildcats. The team lost every game at Globe Life Field and were outscored 31-7 across all three games they played.
The weekend for head coach Chip Hale and his team began on Friday against the Ole Miss Rebels. It was a close, low-scoring pitcher’s duel where both offenses struggled to find an opening.
The Wildcats left 10 runners on base and could not get a run in to score until the eighth inning. The Rebels ended up winning that game 2-1.
On Saturday, Arizona looked to bounce back with a game against the Clemson Tigers. However, they were hit in the mouth instantly with a seven-run first inning. The Wildcats’ starter, Owen Kramkowski, recorded just two outs before he was pulled.
Arizona went on to use six relievers in the 16-5 blowout loss against the Tigers. Only two of those pitchers pitched more than one inning.
So, the Wildcats looked to at least salvage one win against the Louisville Cardinals on Sunday to close their set of three games in Arlington.
Shortstop Mason White hit a solo home run to give the team a 1-0 lead. However, the bullpen blew up for the Wildcats in the fifth inning as reliever Michael Hilker Jr. allowed eight earned runs. This game also turned out to be a blowout loss for the Wildcats as Arizona fell 13-1 to the Cardinals in eight innings.
What Went Wrong for Arizona in Globe Life Field?
The problems Arizona had were a mixture of everything. Against Ole Miss, the hitting could not get going. When they played Clemson, a bad outing from their starting pitcher set them back. Then, against Louisville, the pitching hurt them again, except it was the bullpen that broke down.
So, it seems like Arizona just needs the multiple facets of the game all working well at the same time.
There is not a who lot of time to get themselves situated. In two weeks, they will have to travel to Houston for the Astros Foundation Classic. This multi-team event features a slate of tough SEC games against Tennessee, Texas A&M, and Mississippi State.
In short, Arizona does not have the benefit of an easy non-conference schedule after this. Thus, they will have to forget about this forgettable weekend quickly.
The next game for the Wildcats will be back home at Hi Corbett Field against the New Mexico Lobos on Tuesday, Feb. 18. The first pitch is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. EST. as they will hunt for their first win of the 2025 season.
WBN NCAA: https://worldbaseball.com/league/ncaa/
Photo Credit: Arizona’s Brendan Summerhill (4) reacts after being tagged out attempting to steal third during an NCAA baseball game against Ole Miss on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
