UA hammers Aggies

Tanith L. Balaban Arizona Daily Wildcat A New Mexico State player slides in safe behind Wildcat third baseman Omar Moraga. Arizona beat the Aggies 12-4 yesterday at Sancet Field.

The Wildcats (9-7) defeated the Aggies (5-5) in a game that saw Arizona score early and often against NMSU pitching while shutting down the opposing hitters.

Quick (2-0) gave up 10 hits spread over seven innings to earn the victory. He gave up three runs, two earned, while striking out five hitters. Lucas Solomon (1-1) took the loss for the Aggies.

"Quick pitched very well," UA head coach Jerry Stitt said. "He hit his spots and got a lot of ground balls."

Quick was able to overcome a somewhat rough beginning, with the Aggies scoring twice in the second and once in the third.

"Early on I was a little bit tentative," Quick said. "I was trying a little too hard, trying to do too much. Around the fourth inning I was able to get into a rhythm, and I got relaxed out there."

Quick also had the benefit of getting run support from his teammates. Arizona scored five in the first inning, three in the third and twice in the fourth and sixth. The Wildcats racked up 14 hits, six for extra bases.

"Going out there ahead three or four runs really helps you relax," Quick said. "You have a little more confidence in your defense and it takes the pressure off the mound."

Junior first baseman Kenny Corley connected in the fourth inning for his team-leading fourth home run, a solo shot. Three batters later, third baseman Omar Moraga hit his first home run of the year, also a solo shot. Moraga went 3-for-5 with a pair of runs, three RBI and a double.

Junior designated hitter Tom King, filling in for senior Jeff Gjerde, who is day-to-day after breaking the hamate bone in his right hand, finished the day 2-for-3. King had a pair of doubles, scored three runs and had two RBI.

Junior right fielder Colin Porter extended his hitting streak to 12 games with a single in the third.

This game was the first of a long home stretch for the Wildcats, who will play another seven games over the next eight days.

Stitt hopes to see day-to-day improvement.

"We are trying to come out and get better each game," Stitt said. "Our goal is to improve each day in every aspect of the game and get rid of the little things that have been hurting us."

Freshman right-hander Dave Abbott (1-0) will take the mound today against NMSU. Play begins at 2:30 p.m. at Sancet Field.