Arizona cruises to win over N.M.

Brian D. Rothschild Arizona Daily Wildcat UA sophomore pitcher Rob Shabansky delivers a pitch in yesterday's 8-1 victory over the New Mexico Lobos at Sancet Field. Shabansky tallied a career-best eight strikeouts.

The Wildcats (5-2) defeated the Lobos (1-2), 8-1 in front of 1,115 fans at Frank Sancet Field.

Shabansky (2-0) pitched seven scoreless innings, allowing only two hits and three base on balls. He struck out eight New Mexico batters, a career high. He was able to get his off-speed pitches over for strikes, and credits that for his strong outing. In his two outings, Shabansky has yet to allow a run.

The only run for the Lobos came in the top of the ninth when Ryan Beggs batted in Rick Gonzales, who started the inning with a double off of sophomore Scott Wood.

"Any time you can be in the last inning with a shutout and give up only one run, you know you are in good shape," Arizona head coach Jerry Stitt said. "We played great defense, no errors, and got some outstanding plays by (junior shortstop) Jake (Thrower)."

Defense was a key for the Wildcats, who had committed six errors in their last two games against the Lobos.

Freshman leftfielder Keith Regina and junior first baseman Kenny Corley provided the offensive spark for the Wildcats. Regina, batting in the lead-off spot, started the game with a triple and was batted in by junior centerfielder Diego Rico. Regina finished the day by going two for four with two runs and an RBI. Corley blasted a home run off David Waites, his second of the year. Corley went 2-5 with two RBI and a run.

In Saturday's contest, Arizona used 12 base on balls from three New Mexico pitchers to defeat the Lobos, 6-4. The 12 walks were three shy of the school record.

Sophomore James Johnson (2-0) claimed the win for the Wildcats, striking out a career-high six batters, and allowing just three hits in six innings. Senior Tyler Haddix worked the last three innings to earn the save.

Corley had the big bat for the Wildcats, picking up two hits and two RBI.

1,922 fans filled Frank Sancet Field on Saturday, the largest crowd for Arizona since March 3, 1995, when 1,953 fans came to see Arizona battle Arizona State.

A late surge by the Wildcats on Friday afternoon sent the game to extra innings, but the Lobos prevailed, scoring four two-out runs in the top of the 11th and defeating the Wildcats, 7-3.

Junior first baseman Jeff Gjerde hit a solo home run in the eighth to close the gap to 3-2, and junior right fielder Colin Porter drove in Regina with a bloop single in the bottom of the ninth to send it to extra frames.

Sophomore Darrell Hussman pitched the first 6 2/3 innings, allowing three runs, two earned, and striking out a career-best seven. Sophomore Ryan Moskau, who pitched three and two-thirds innings of relief, was credited with the loss.