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Arizona’s Trent Gilbert Dominates No.17 Mississippi State

Photo courtesy Atizona Athletics

Photo courtesy Atizona Athletics

TUCSON, Ariz. — The Mississippi State Bulldogs (11-6) saw their seven-game win streak end on Friday after dropping a pair of games in the Inaugural Hi Corbett Classic. The University of California Santa Barbara Gauchos (8-1) extended their win streak to seven games when they beat MSU in the matinee, 8-3.

The Arizona Wildcats (7-7), who were on a streak of a different kind, rebounded in a big way and snapped their five-game losing skid in front of 2,764 fans on Friday night.

Fueled by the big bat of junior second baseman Trent Gilbert, the Wildcats hit early and often with 17 hits and runs scored in six of eight innings against three Bulldog pitchers. Gilbert went 5-for-5 on the night with two doubles, two triples and six RBI. The five hits for Gilbert was a career high and when he faced Vance Tatum in the bottom of the eighth inning, he had the opportunity to tie the school record with six hits, instead Gilbert was the one who was hit by a Tatum pitch.

Senior right-handed pitcher James Farris (3-1) was able to get two quick outs to start the game but loaded up the bases before a good portion of the crowd had even taken their seats. Farris’ second inning looked to be a repeat of first when he gave up a walk, a couple singles and an RBI to Jake Vickerson. The stout Arizona defense once again stepped up as Alex Detz lined into a double play ending another Bulldog scoring threat. Farris would settle down and pitch six straight scoreless innings to earn the win.

The Saturday slate of games will feature a rematch of UC Santa Barbara and Mississippi State at 2 p.m. MT and the Gauchos will face the Wildcats in the 7 p.m. MT nightcap. Sunday’s action will be another doubleheader with Arizona playing the visiting team against UCSB at Noon MT and against MSU at 5 p.m. MT.

David is a featured columnist for Arizona State athletics as well as PAC-12. He is an accomplished writer with numerous articles published by local and national publications and websites. He has worked in college athletics for many years from Arizona to Delaware. He is a founding member of the Arizona State Young Alumni – Tucson Chapter and a lifetime member of ASU Alumni Association. He resides in Tucson with his beautiful wife who shares his love of beer and their two gorgeous golden retrievers.