Arizona Wildcats Gear Up for Big 12 Championship Showdown Against BYU Cougars
ARLINGTON, Texas — The excitement is palpable as the No. 4 seed Arizona Wildcats (36-18, 18-12) prepare to face the No. 12 seed BYU Cougars (28-26, 11-20) in the Big 12 Baseball Championship quarterfinals. This thrilling matchup kicks off at 7:00 a.m. MST on Thursday morning, with fans able to catch every moment live on ESPN+ and on Wildcats Radio 1290 AM, featuring play-by-play from the esteemed Brian Jeffries.
H2: A Strong Finish to the Regular Season
Arizona clinched a first-round bye thanks to an impressive fourth-place finish in the regular season. They ended their Big 12 campaign on a high note, securing a road series victory against Houston last weekend, setting the stage for what’s to come in this elimination tournament.
H2: Tournament Format and What’s at Stake
The Big 12 Championship adopts a single-elimination format in 2025, intensifying the stakes for both teams. The victor of Thursday’s face-off will advance to the semifinals, with the championship title hanging in the balance.
H3: Game Details
| Date | Opponent | Time (MST) | Arizona Pitcher | Opponent Pitcher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, May 22 | [12] BYU | 7:00 AM | RHP Owen Kramkowski (7-5, 5.45) | TBA |
H2: Leading Off…
- The Wildcats aim to leverage their previous experience against the Cougars, boasting a solid 24-10 lead in their all-time series since their first encounter in 1963.
- Arizona and BYU met last month, where the Wildcats secured 2 of 3 games in Provo, showcasing resilience after dropping the first game (5-12).
- Arizona’s standout reliever, Tony Pluta, recently earned the title of Big 12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year, marking a historic milestone for the program. With a remarkable 3.919 GPA in aerospace engineering, Pluta exemplifies excellence both on and off the field.
H3: Record-Breaking Performers
- Mason White, the Wildcats’ electrifying shortstop, currently ranks third in program history for home runs with 42 dingers, just one shy of a tie for second place.
- Pluta leads the Big 12 with 11 saves, tied for ninth nationally, indicating his crucial role in Arizona’s formidable pitching lineup.
H4: Postseason Highlights
- Arizona is set to participate in its fourth consecutive conference tournament, building on the momentum of its solid record under head coach Chip Hale.
- Notably, the Wildcats kicked off their season at Globe Life Field, facing tough teams but laying the groundwork for a strong postseason push.
H2: Streaking Wildcats and Individual Honors
- Outfielder Easton Broyfogle enters this week riding a five-game hitting streak, cementing his status as a game-changer with a .471 batting average during this span.
- Adonys Guzman continues to shine behind the plate, recently named a semifinalist for the Buster Posey Award, acknowledging his impressive batting stats and defensive prowess.
H3: The Road Ahead
With a strong showing and key players hitting their strides, the Arizona Wildcats are set to unleash their competitive spirit in a bid for the Big 12 Championship. Fans can expect a fierce display of talent and teamwork as the Wildcats aim to advance further in this thrilling postseason.
Don’t miss the exhilarating action as Arizona takes on BYU! Tune in to catch every electric moment of this must-watch game!
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