LOS ANGELES, Calif. – The Arizona Wildcats (13-9, 2-3) dropped a back-and-forth offensive affair with the UCLA Bruins (16-4, 4-1), 12-10, on Saturday afternoon at Jackie Robinson Stadium.
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The Cats offense once again scored in the opening frame and followed it up with two big innings later in the game – Arizona scored six in the top of the third inning and three in the top of the fifth.
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Arizona's six-run outburst in the top of the third inning was highlighted by home runs to left field from second baseman
Cameron Cannon and third baseman
Nick Quintana. Cannon's, a three-run jack, was his team-leading fifth of the year, while Quintana's two-run shot was his second home run on the season.
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Quintana led the Cats on offense, finishing the afternoon going 2-for-5 with two runs scored and three RBI. His RBI single in the top of the fifth inning tied the game at 8-8.
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Joining Quintana with multiple hits was center fielder
Donta Williams (2x5, 2 R, RBI) and shortstop
Jacob Blas (2x3, R, BB). Cannon (1x4, R, HR, 3 RBI, BB) and first baseman
Austin Wells (0x3, R, 2 BB) both reached base multiple times.
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Zach Sherman (0.1 IP),
Gil Luna (0.1 IP), and
Jonathan Guardado (0.2 IP) all notched scoreless relief outing for the Wildcats. Freshman right-hander
Quinn Flanagan got the start and allowed seven runs on eight hits in 3.0 innings of work.
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The Wildcats and Bruins close out their three-game series on Sunday afternoon at Jackie Robinson Stadium, with first pitch scheduled for 1:00 p.m. MST.
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