2012 Record: 48-17
2012 Finish: The Arizona Wildcats finished off the 2012 season atop the college baseball world as they knocked off the two-time defending national champions South Carolina in the College World Series finale. The Gamecocks could not overcome the offensive barrage Arizona brought to the plate during their entire postseason run as well as dominating pitching performances only giving up two runs in the final series of the tournament.
The No. 14 Arizona Wildcats are coming off a national title season in 2012 and will have to replace a lot of production on the offensive side of the ball after losing Robert Refsnyder, Alex Mejia, Seth Mejias-Brean and Bobby Brown, all of whom finished 2012 with a batting average better than .348.
That being said, the Wildcats return junior Johnny Field, who led the team with a season batting average of .370, and Riley Moore, who was named a Freshman All-American in 2012. Both Field and Moore will add much-needed experience to the Wildcat lineup in 2013.
On the mound, Arizona looks to replace one of the more dominating aces of last season in Kurt Heyer, who led the team with 13 wins. The Wildcats more than likely will look to junior right-hander Konner Wade to fill that role. Wade finished the 2012 season with an 11-3 record and an ERA of 3.96. Matthew Troupe and James Farris also will be key contributors on the mound.
Key Series: Arizona will be tested right off the bat in conference play as it goes on the road to take on the sixth-ranked Oregon Ducks. It will be the Wildcats’ first true road test as they open with 21 of their first 23 games at home.
About the Author
Craig Amick
Tyler Knowles
Jono Greco
Blake Colston
Nick Gryniewicz
Kirsten Karbach