FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.—For much of this season, Arizona had an offense that could beat anybody and a pitching staff that kept that from happening more often. Then both came through late as the Wildcats snuck into the NCAA Tournament, despite cries from across college baseball that they didn’t deserve a bid.
They didn’t do much to prove the doubters wrong.
Arizona lost 9-3 to Santa Clara on Saturday night at Baum-Walker Stadium, getting eliminated in two games from the Fayetteville Regional after weathering a length rain delay that pushed back first pitch six hours. It was the first time the UA (33-26) has failed to win an NCAA game since 2003, while the Broncos (36-19) won their first postseason game since 1997.