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Wildcats bring out the brooms and sweep New Mexico in 3 games

On Wednesday, the UA baseball team was reeling.

After losing three straight games, the No. 19 Wildcats had a day off before a weekend series against New Mexico. Before the off day, UA head coach Jerry Stitt told his team to do the seemingly impossible - stay away from baseball.

"We just had a few guys around," he said. "A few players hung out, but not many. I just wanted them to step back and take a deep breath."

It seems a day off may have done the trick.

Behind clutch pitching and a newly discovered mental focus, UA swept New Mexico Friday and Saturday, upping its record to 7-4.

In Friday afternoon's game, senior right-hander Mike Crawford allowed just one earned run in six innings, as the Wildcats prevailed over the Lobos, 14-7.

Sophomore catcher Chris Cunningham, junior first baseman Ernie Durazo and sophomore designated hitter Ben Diggins each hit home runs in the victory.

Sophomore Robert Schulz worked the final three innings of the game, earning his first career save.

Crawford improved his record to 2-1, allowing six hits while striking out seven batters.

"It was a big series for us," senior center fielder Troy Gingrich said. "We had been struggling. We're going to enjoy a sweep like this."

Stitt agreed that a sweep couldn't have come at a better time.

"We took advantage of the chances we had," he said. "Sweeping a team is always nice."

In Saturday afternoon's tilt, sophomore Brian Pemble allowed four runs on seven hits in the Wildcats 6-4 win.

In the outing, Pemble worked 6 2/3 innings, striking out seven batters. Both were personal bests for the lefty.

"I felt great out there," Pemble said. "I was throwing strikes and hitting my spots."

The Wildcats had five triples in the winning effort, tying a school record. Gingrich had triples in his first two at bats.

"Troy and (shortstop) Keoni (DeRenne) were hitting triples all over," Pemble said. "It sure helped."

Tied at one in the second inning, Ken Riley tripled for Arizona. Gingrich followed with his own three-bagger, driving in Riley. DeRenne then hit a sacrifice fly to score Gingrich.

Junior first baseman Ernie Durazo hit a two-run homer in the 6th, putting UA up, 6-3.

Senior Tony Milo finished the final 2 1/3 innings of the game, striking out three of the eight men he faced. Milo earned the save, his second of the season.

"Tony is Tony," Stitt said. "He did incredibly well out there."