The Arizona Wildcats’ series at Oregon State this weekend isn’t merely a matchup of top-10 teams.
It’s No. 1 vs. No. 1.
The Wildcats (16-4, 2-1 Pac-12) have the most prolific offense in the nation. The Beavers (17-1, 3-0) have the stingiest pitching staff.
“Obviously, something’s working for them,” UA junior outfielder Jared Oliva said. “It’s going to be fun. It’s going to really test our game plan, our approach, our scouting reports.
“It’s going to come down to who can execute — who’s going to get the big hit. I don’t think we’re going to put up 10 runs. It might happen with our offense, but it (also) might be a one-, two-run ballgame.”
Arizona is averaging just over 10 runs per game, best in the nation entering Thursday. The Wildcats also pace the country in batting average (.352) and on-base percentage (.441).
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Oregon State leads the nation in ERA (1.06), WHIP (0.81) and hits allowed per nine innings (5.28). The Beavers limited Arizona State to one run and nine hits in a three-game sweep last week, Oregon State’s first road sweep against the Sun Devils since 1966.
Oregon State has allowed 25 runs in 18 games. Arizona scored that many against Hartford on March 11 and has reached double figures nine times this season.
“They’re just really complete,” UA coach Jay Johnson said of the Beavers, the preseason favorites in the Pac-12. “What an opportunity. I’m so excited for our players.
“It’s supposed to rain up there. We can’t control that. But we can control our competitiveness. We’ve got to figure out a plan to scratch it out against a really good pitching staff and a really good team.”
Arizona swept Oregon State at Hi Corbett Field last year. They finished tied for third in the conference with 16-14 league records.
The series, which starts Friday, is the Wildcats’ second in a row on the road to begin Pac-12 play. Arizona came within an out of sweeping UCLA last weekend. Despite Sunday’s one-run loss, the Wildcats have already won as many Pac-12 road series as they did all of last year.
“These guys have been tested, but each game presents a new challenge,” Johnson said. “They’ve earned the wins that they’ve had. It’s not getting any easier. They know that.”
Arizona’s probable Game 1 starter is senior-left hander JC Cloney (5-0, 1.12 ERA), who pitched four innings last Saturday after the previous night’s game was suspended because of fog.
Oregon State’s usual Friday starter is junior left-hander Luke Heimlich (4-0, 0.25). He is one of four Beavers starters with an ERA of 2.14 or better.
Inside pitch
Arizona is ranked ninth by Baseball America and D1Baseball.com. Oregon State is second and first, respectively.
Oregon State was No. 2 in RPI entering Thursday; Arizona was No. 4. Two of the Wildcats’ four losses have come against teams ranked in the top 10 in RPI (Cal State Fullerton, No. 5; Texas Tech, No. 7).
Arizona senior shortstop Louis Boyd, out since Feb. 26 because of a left-arm injury, began hitting off a tee this week. Johnson said Boyd is ahead of schedule in his rehab. He originally was projected to be out six weeks. Kyle Lewis has been filling in at shortstop, batting .367 with 13 RBIs.
Arizona’s Alfonso Rivas (.441) and Oregon State’s Nick Madrigal (.426) ranked 1-2 in the Pac-12 in batting average entering Thursday. Rivas and teammate Cal Stevenson were tied for second in walks (17 apiece). Madrgial had a league-high eight stolen bases in eight attempts.
Oliva and teammate JJ Matijevic were tied for second in the nation and first in the Pac-12 in doubles (12 apiece) entering Thursday.
