Arizona Walks Off Against USC in 4-3 Series Opener By Evan Rosenfeld Freshman Zach Gibbons walk-off RBI

single in the bottom of the tenth proved to be the deciding factor in Fridays 4-3 victory over USC, as the Wildcats continued to swing hot bats, compiling 11 hits in the series opener at Hi Corbett Field and keeping their playoff hopes alive. With the score tied 3-3 in the tenth, USCs Kyle Davis beaned freshman Kevin Newman to begin the inning with a man on first. After sophomore catcher Riley Moore moved Newman to second on a sacrifice bunt, Gibbons struck with the fatal blow, as he ripped the game winning single up the middle. It was huge, Gibbons said. [Tonight] was the first night Ive experienced something like this, and it felt great. This was a big game; but we cant back down moving forward. We have to win another one. Gibbons led the Cats offensive attack and compiled four hits, a run, and an RBI in tonights duel. Newman had two RBI on the night and contributed with a key hit to tie the game, 1-1, in the fifth. Sophomores Moore and Joseph Maggi each contributed with two hits apiece. Going into this weekends series, Maggi led Pac-12 players with a .479 on-base percentage in conference games and before tonights multi-hit performance, was batting .377 with 21 runs scored and 15 RBI over his last 27 games. Moore reached base safely another two times tonight, extending his streak to 25 games. Junior Konner Wade kept the Trojans under control and provided a strong outing, allowing three runs on 11 hits while striking out in 9.1 innings pitched. The righty threw 126 pitches and didnt issue a single walk after allowing four in his previous performance last weekend against ASU. I wasnt really happy with the pitches I made in the first inning, but I made an adjustment after that, Wade said. For the most part, I felt like I was throwing pretty good pitches. I was glad to give my team a chance. Sophomore Mathew Troupe came in to relieve with one out in the tenth, but only needed a single pitch to get out of the inning; forcing USCs Adam Landecker to fly out to freshman Scott Kingery, who followed up an impressive diving catch by throwing to first base before the Trojan runner was able to return. Troupe received the win and improved to a 6-0 record. He possesses a 3.29 ERA, has recorded nine saves so far this year, and has struck out 49 in 38.1 innings pitched. While Wades performance carried the Wildcats to a big win, head coach Andy Lopez made sure that the team knew that its job wasnt over yet this season. Momentum comes down to who shows up on the mound tomorrow, head coach Andy Lopez said. Konner Wade was outstanding and the team had a great night tonight, but tomorrow, we have to come back and play good baseball again.