TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Trent Gilbert hit a bases-loaded single with one out in the bottom of the 10th inning as Arizona rallied from an early five-run deficit and defeated St. John’s 7-6 in the opening game of their super regional series Friday.
The Red Storm had taken a 6-5 lead in the top of the inning on Sean O’Hare’s RBI double, but the Wildcats tied it on Bobby Brown’s RBI single. Arizona (42-17) loaded the bases against Kevin Kilpatrick (3-3), and Gilbert slapped a single off James Lomangino into right field for the win. Reliever Mathew Troupe (4-1) got two outs for the victory.
Arizona can advance to the College World Series for the first time since 2004 with a win Saturday.
St. John’s (40-22) scored five times in the fourth inning, but Arizona got single runs in the fourth and fifth and tied it at 5 with three runs in the sixth.