Arizona baseball run-rules New Mexico State ahead of tough road trip

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With Wednesday marking the start of five games in a 6-day span, Arizona’s already overworked pitching staff is going to be pushed to the limit. Making it so those arms didn’t have to throw a full nine innings in the first contest was about the best possible outcome for the Wildcats.

The UA used a 9-run bottom of the 6th to beat New Mexico State 13-3 in seven innings at Hi Corbett Field, finishing the homestand 2-3 ahead of four consecutive road games at TCU and ASU.

Arizona (11-21) only had nine hits but drew eight walks and had three batters hit by pitches, the types of “free 90s” coach Chip Hale has often lamented giving the opponents this season. And when the Wildcats put the ball in play it usually found a hole, particularly in the 6th when 2-run doubles by Nate Novitske and Jackson Forbes and a 2-run single by Cash Brennan all came on hits on the ground.

“Low and hard, and the ball gets through the infield,” Hale said.

Forbes had three hits, while Brennan had two. They were among five players with at least two RBI including Carson McEntire, who put Arizona on the board first with a 3-run home run in the 2nd.

On the mound, six Arizona pitchers combined for the victory, with Collin McKinney retiring all six batters he faced to start the game and three other relievers notching scoreless frames. NMSU (14-17) finished with five hits, four coming in the 7th.

The UA will face TCU for three games Friday through Sunday and then visit ASU on Monday. The next home game is April 17 against Kansas State.