The Arizona Wildcats will face a somewhat familiar foe when they open NCAA Tournament play Friday.
Arizona is the No. 2 seed in the Lubbock, Texas, Regional and will face Sam Houston State. The Wildcats and Bearkats squared off twice in Lafayette, Louisiana, in last year’s tournament – with Arizona winning both times to eliminate Sam Houston State.
The Bearkats are the No. 3 seed in Lubbock. They went 40-20 during the regular season, 19-11 in the Southland Conference.
Arizona finished 37-19, 16-14 in the Pac-12. The UA’s No. 3 ranking in non-conference RPI includes a trip to Lubbock in March. Arizona lost to Texas Tech 13-1 at Rip Griffin Park. The Red Raiders (43-15) are the No. 5 overall seed in the tournament.
Arizona won the Lafayette Regional last year, defeated Mississippi State in Starkville in the Super Regionals and advanced to the finals of the College World Series. Arizona lost 2 of 3 to Coastal Carolina in the finals.
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Senior left-hander JC Cloney likely will start Game 1 Friday. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. Tucson time on ESPN3 or the WatchESPN app.
Texas Tech will face No. 4 seed Delaware (34-21) at noon Tucson time.
The winner of the Lubbock Regional will face the winner of the Tallahassee Regional, which features Florida State, Central Florida, Auburn and Tennessee Tech.
