LOS ANGELES, Calif. – The Arizona Wildcats (13-8, 2-2) dropped their series opener against the UCLA Bruins (15-4, 3-1) by a final score of 10-5 on Friday night at Jackie Robinson Stadium.
 
The Wildcats jumped out to an early 2-0 lead on a two-RBI double from third baseman Nick Quintana in the top of the first inning but could not hold on to the lead. Another rally in the top of the eighth – a three-run showing – represented the remainder of the Cats offense on the night.
 
Left fielder Matthew Dyer and catcher Austin Wells led the way on offense for the Wildcats. Dyer finished the night going 2-for-4 with a pair of runs scored and an RBI, while Wells put together a 2-for-4 performance with one run scored and two RBI.
 
George Arias Jr. posted a strong relief appearance for Arizona in the late innings. The freshman right-hander entered the game in the bottom of the seventh and pitched the final two frames for the Wildcats. Arias Jr. worked two innings and allowed no hits while striking out a pair of Bruins batters.
 
Randy Labaut (2-2) got the start for Arizona and allowed seven runs on nine hits across 4.0 innings of work. He struck out four UCLA batters along the way while throwing 82 pitches.
 
Arizona and UCLA will continue their series on Saturday afternoon at Jackie Robinson Stadium – first pitch is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. MST. The Wildcats will send right-handed pitcher Quinn Flanagan to the mound as they look to even the series.